World’s First Energy-Generating Browser Is Born On Earth Day, Works Like Chrome
Image generated on AI
To help users click into eco-friendly habits without all the hassle, nonprofit search engine Ecosia launched the world’s first “energy-generating” browser on April 22, AKA Earth Day.
The Ecosia browser creates more energy than it consumes. It does this two ways. Firstly, the browser is powered by renewable energy sources from Ecosia’s own solar farms. Secondly, the organization suggests that by using its built-in ad blocker, users reduce overall data consumption while browsing, which translates to a slight decrease in energy use on the user’s end.
In total, each user could yield 25 watt-hours (Wh) of energy per day from using this new tool, which is roughly enough to power a low-wattage LED bulb for three hours. While this individual impact might seem negligible, Ecosia emphasizes the potential collective effect if its existing 20 million search engine users adopt the browser.
Screenshot via Ecosia
The browser is powered on Google’s open-source Chromium project, the foundation for Chrome. This translates to a familiar user experience for those accustomed to the popular app, ensuring a fuss-free transition for those who wish to be a part of the change but don’t know where to start. This greener browsing experience also allows for some customization, where users can personalize the landing page by removing sections like top sites or the climate impact widget, TechCrunch reports.
Going beyond just “energy generation,” the Ecosia browser is built with a suit of environmentally-friendly features. It integrates the nonprofit’s core green search engine, which contributes to Ecosia’s tree-planting initiatives (the company has planted 200 million trees since its debut in 2009). There’s also a ‘climate pledge rating’ feature that helps users assess companies’ planet-friendly commitments.
View this post on Instagram
Additionally, the Ecosia browser integrates an AI Chat, powered by ChatGPT maker OpenAI, to potentially facilitate eco-focused conversations and foster a community around sustainability. A neat ‘partner shops’ addition allows consumers to shop more sustainably through partnered stores, all while contributing to climate action projects at no extra cost.
Ecosia’s browser has been optimized for speed, supposedly loading pages up to three times faster than most mainstream browsers. This is achieved through an inbuilt ad-blocker that reduces user data and energy consumption. In addition to speed, Ecosia also prioritizes user privacy by blocking trackers, giving users more control over their online footprint.
The Ecosia browser is available for download on desktops (Mac and Windows) and mobile devices (iOS and Android), allowing users to browse sustainably no matter which device they’re using.
[via The Next Web, TechCrunch, ITC.ua, Tech.eu, images via various sources]
