A Harvard University physicist claims that a single, simple search on Google will cause seven grammes of carbon dioxide to be emitted, in comparison to the 15 grammes produced by putting a kettle on a stove to boil some water.
 
The Telegraph quotes boffin Dr Alex Wissner-Gross as saying Googling has a 'very definite' environmental impact, furthering the man-made destruction of the world climate with every search. Even though Wissner-Gross sees Google as being very efficient, Google uses a googleplex of servers to make sure queries are answered as fast as possible and is therefore responsible for the emissions. Wissner-Gross maintains web service www.co2stats.com, which computes how green one's website is for a measly monthly fee, so he is making his claims without any sort of self-interest. 

The Telegraph stated two other sources which provide different CO2 estimates for Googling. Website carbonfootprint.com claims a Google spews forth 1 to 10 grammes of carbon dioxide, whereas author Chris Goodall says Googling causes 7 to 10 grammes of carbon dioxide to be emitted if a person spends 15 minutes sitting in front of his computer. Google claims its one of the most energy efficient search providers out there, so world and dog really ought to believe they're using a search engine which is green and unevil.

Please do not use Google to look up what 'googleplex' means - you will be killing a baby polar bear. X

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