Thursday, October 11, 2007

Carbon Neutral Search Engine Launched

Today sees the launch of the Carbon Neutral Search Engine, which offsets the CO2 emissions generated through producing search queries. The people behind the Carbon Neutral Search estimate that the average search emits a fraction of a gram of CO2, with the inclusion of the users personal computer usage they estimate that this is 17.57g [In comparison the carbon footprint of a 34.5g packet of Walkers Cheese & Onion crisps is 75g, and the carbon footprint of the average person in the United Kingdom emits 9.8t of CO2 annually].



Each search query processed by the Carbon Neutral Search Engine which is powered by Google will be offset equal to or greater than 100g of carbon dioxide. Initially offsetting will be through Climate Care, a leading UK offsetting company who to date have offset over 1m tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions through projects in reforestation, energy efficiency and investing in renewable energy technology. In the near future the Carbon Neutral Search Engine intends to invest directly in renewable energy projects in the United Kingdom.


"The Carbon Neutral Search Engine is one way I hope that we can invest in the environment for future generations and contribute to a low carbon economy. Carrying out a daily ritual [searching the Internet] via the Carbon Neutral Search Engine can be easy and conveniently complete without contemplating the reality of our actions. The more people that use the Carbon Neutral Search the greater impact they will have."
Koji Wang, Designer, Carbon Neutral Search Engine


Media requests should be sent to media@carbonneutralsearch.co.uk.

Contact

Please feel free to contact us any time with queries, feedback, a chat, anything else you feel we need to know. As soon as we read it, make sense of it and regurgitate in our minds, we will respond should it be required in a speedy and efficient manor, should we not be bogged down in spam. You should email us at info@carbonneutralsearch.co.uk

About

Who?

The Carbon Neutral Search Engine was developed by fooke limited as a way for internet users to offset the emissions generated through online search queries. In addition to this it was also hoped that it would highlight the need to combat increasing emissions through energy saving, reforestation and renewable technologies so that we can help protect the environment for future generations.


What?

The Carbon Neutral Search Engine offsets emissions generated by each search query from our website as a thank you for using our search engine. We have calculated the average search query emits approximately a fraction of a gram (UK users), and with the addition of users computer use taken into account, 17.57g (UK users). We will offset each search query by a minimum of 300g via our offsetters Climate Care and Carbon Fund. (300g is over and above the emissions that will be most likely be generated in any country in the world, as emissions vary hugely from country to country based on power generation.)

Climate Care is a leading offsetting organisation in the United Kingdom and through investing in renewable technology, energy efficiency and reforestation has offset a total of 1m tonnes since they were founded in 1998. They continue to grow through partnerships with leading international brands including British Airways, Land Rover and Grant Thornton.

Carbon Fund is also a leading US non profit carbon offsetting company, offsetting over 1m tonnes from 400 companies and 100 000 individuals.


Where?

You can use our search from any country in the world and we will offset 300g per search as a minimum. You can view the Carbon Neutral Search Engine home page for the exact emissions offset to date.

We currently use Climate Care and the Carbon Fund to provide our offsetting, they work in mainly developing nations to provide real reductions in global carbon dioxide levels. Their projects can also bring a wide range of other benefits to local communities, such as poverty alleviation, health benefits and increased biodiversity. For more information on the projects Climate Care and Carbon Fund are carrying out you can view these on their websites.

In the near future depending on the growth of the Carbon Neutral Search Engine we plan to develop small scale renewable energy projects within the United Kingdom. These projects will be in addition to the current minimum CO2 offsetting per search query.


Why?

The Carbon Neutral Search Engine was developed to highlight the need to reduce our reliance on earth's natural resources and reduce our carbon footprint. Search makes up a small part of each individuals carbon footprint, but globally has a signifigant impact through energy use. The Carbon Neutral Search Engine offsets the emissions generated through search queries carried out on their site with a view to reducing global CO2 emissions, investing in energy efficiency, reforestation and renewable energy.


When?

The Carbon Neutral Search Engine launched in October 2007, with ambitious targets which the Carbon Neutral Search Engine team intend to achieve through promoting the brand and the future. The site was developed with no funding and you can see their progress online on the Carbon Neutral Search Engine home page.

"In the Media"

Please view below for a list of news articles and reviews, good and bad about the Carbon Neutral Seach Engine. If you have mentioned about the Carbon Neutral Seach Engine in any medium of media please contact us at press@carbonneutralsearch.co.uk and we may add your article here.

Advertise

Sponsor

We currently offer a direct sponsor agreement, this will include your text link on our PR5 home page, please note that there is approximately only three to five links on our home page. Your ad will also receive approximately 50 000 impressions per month. The current monthly fee for sponsorship is $25. This will be used to purchase 4 tonnes of carbon offsets.

Add Your Site

The Carbon Neutral Search Engine is powered by Google, our results are the same and if you are in Google, you're in our results somewhere too. However you may consider the potential of free enhanced listings.

Enhanced Listings

We offer websites the opportunity to enhance their listings on the Carbon Neutral Search Engine by either writting about us on their website or blog (subject to Carbon Neutral Search Engine reviews). If you do please forward the details to media@carbonneutralsearch.co.uk. You may also receive a listing in our "In the Media" section of this blog.