A little post-Earth Day discussion: What’s better for the planet? Streaming or downloading songs? Each uses energy which means there will be carbon footprints. Which one produces the least greenhouse gases? Let’s unpack this.
- Data generation and transmission need energy to power computers, servers and routers.
- Receiving this data also requires energy, even if it’s just the battery in your phone.
People who study any type of thingA download is the best option.
The same amount of energy is required to download one song and stream the same song. A downloaded song takes far less energy than streaming it again. If all the songs we all listen to were downloaded instead of streamed, it’s estimated that there were be an 80% reduction in carbon emissions when it comes to consuming music digitally. Your phone battery would also last longer.
Streaming a song takes twice as much power on our phones and laptops than downloading a file. You can get a subscription to a streaming platform that allows tracks to be stored on your device so that you can listen offline.
One more thing: If you stream an album over 27 times, it’s better for the planet to just go ahead and buy a physical copy of it, be it a CD or a vinyl version. So, yes: Buying music on a biodegradable piece of plastic is (counter-intuitively) better for Earth than streaming that same music.
Another thing: Buying a digital or physical copy of a song means more money for the artist. Any questions?