# What is the carbon footprint of an email? (HT Tech) > Sending a text message or email, eating an apple or watching TV -- each of these activities has a different carbon footprint. # What is the carbon footprint of an email? ## Sending a text message or email, eating an apple or watching TV -- each of these activities has a different carbon footprint. Mar 25 2015, 12:31 IST ![Follow on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/follow-us-facebook.png) ![Follow on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/follow-us-facebook-hover.png) ![Share](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Share.png) ![Share](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Shareclicked.png) ![Share on WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/whatsapp.png) ![Share on WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/whatsapp-hover.png) ![Share on Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/twitter.png) ![Share on Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/twitter-hover.png) ![Share on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/facebook.png) ![Share on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/facebook-hover.png) ![Bookmark](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Bookmark.png) ![Bookmarked](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Bookmarked.png) ![image caption](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/rf/image_size_800x600/HT/p1/2015/03/02/Incoming/Pictures/1322206_Wallpaper2.jpg) ![Author Photo](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/HTTech-new-circle-logo.png) ### By AFP Sending a text message or email, eating an apple or watching TV -- each of these activities has a different carbon footprint. People around the world are getting ready to mark Earth Hour by turning out the lights on Saturday, but a long list of seemingly harmless everyday actions also contribute to emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other planet-harming greenhouse gases. Total global emissions in 2010 were estimated at 49 gigatonnes (Gt or billion tonnes) of CO2 equivalent (CO2e). Email and Internet Even a short email is estimated to have a footprint of four grammes (0.14 ounces) of CO2e (gCO2e) -- including greenhouse gases produced in running the computer, server and routers and a part of their manufacture. An email with a large attachment emits about 50 gCO2e, and a spam message, not even opened by the recipient, is responsible for 0.3 gCO2e. The annual global footprint of spam is equivalent to 3.1 million passenger cars on the road in a year, using two billion gallons (7.6 billion litres) of gasoline. A web search on an energy-efficient laptop leaves a footprint of 0.2 gCO2e, and on an old desktop computer some 4.5 gCO2e. A cellphone text message comes at a cost of about 0.014 gCO2e. Shopping A plastic carrier bag leaves a footprint of 10 gCO2e, and a paper bag 40 gCO2e. Drinking A pint (473 millilitres) of water from the tap generates 0.14 gCO2e compared to 160 gCO2e for a 500 ml store-bought bottle. A large cappuccino comes at 235 gCO2e, compared to 21 gCO2e for a cup of black coffee or tea for which just enough water was boiled. Leisure An hour of TV watching on a 15-inch (38-centimetre) LCD screen yields 34 gCO2e, compared to 88 gCO2e on a 32-inch LCD screen, and 220 gCO2e on a 24-inch plasma screen. A mile of cycling powered by a meal of bananas would be responsible for 65 gCO2e, compared to 260 gCO2e for a mile powered by cheeseburgers. 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