A new customised version of Google called Blackle has been attracting attention within the search community. In principle, Blackle uses the Google search engine but displays the search homepage page and any results pages predominantly in black.
Blackle.com claims to save energy as monitors use more power to display a white (or light) than black (and essentially dark) screen. Even though the saving each user can achieve is minimal, the popularity of the search engine (around 200 million search queries daily) might result in a noticeable energy saving bottom line.
However, this proposition is not as black and white as it might seem and sceptical voices have questioned both the significance of savings as well as the usability and readability of black web pages. Critics argue that savings can only be achieved on CRT monitors accounting for only 25 per cent of screens globally and that LCD monitors would not have the suggested effect.
At any rate, Blackle has caused an eco-friendly stir and the discussion of how to best save energy while using computers is surging. In addition, the argument that searching with Blackle stimulates and reminds users to act environmentally friendly could carry some weight.
Google seems committed to using its resources to tackle global climate change. Along the same lines, Yahoo! lately launched a green online education program called Yahoo! Green, which offers the latest environmental news and advises users on how to reduce their personal carbon emissions.
As the Internet media giants are trying to outdo each other in combating climate change, it remains to be seen if the corporate environmental initiatives are going to have the desired impact.
