Each Google search produces 7g of CO2
But Google says that Harvard research is wrong
![Google's carbon use](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bf5d129124dd220032fe714abc29b499.jpg)
For each two searches on Google an equal amount of carbon dioxide is produced to that of a boiling kettle, according to research from Harvard University, a claim that Google has quickly refuted.
A study by Dr Alex Wissner-Gross, as reported by The SundayTimes, has asserted that Google searches are not quite so environmentally friendly as you may have thought.
In fact, the average Google search is believed to produce around 7g of carbon – due to the power used by both the user's computer and the data centre and multiple servers used for each query.
With Google the dominant internet search engine, and an estimated 200 million searches made a day, the impact is obviously fairly significant.
Response
However, Google has quickly responded by saying that it takes its role in keeping the environment safe very seriously indeed, insisting that its data centres are among the most energy efficient:
"In terms of greenhouse gases, one Google search is equivalent to about 0.2 grams of CO2. The current EU standard for tailpipe emissions calls for 140 grams of CO2 per kilometre driven, but most cars don't reach that level yet.
Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox
Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.
"Thus, the average car driven for one kilometre (0.6 miles for those of in the U.S.) produces as many greenhouse gases as a thousand Google searches."
For those doubting Wissner-Gross' credentials, we should probably point out that he was apparently the last person in MIT history to receive a triple major, and, according to his biography, also performed as a boy soprano with the New York City Opera.
Unfortunately we produced more than 27g of carbon dioxide in the construction and research of this article. Sorry.
Patrick Goss is the ex-Editor in Chief of TechRadar. Patrick was a passionate and experienced journalist, and he has been lucky enough to work on some of the finest online properties on the planet, building audiences everywhere and establishing himself at the forefront of digital content. After a long stint as the boss at TechRadar, Patrick has now moved on to a role with Apple, where he is the Managing Editor for the App Store in the UK.