How do websites contribute to carbon emissions?

Websites are run by servers and are viewed by clients that are connected via networks. These servers, clients, and networks all require electricity in order to run, electricity that is largely generated by burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. When fossil fuels are burned, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, which contributes to climate change.

Is the amount of carbon dioxide produced by websites significant?

According to a 2007 study by Gartner, the carbon emissions due to information and communication technologies exceeded that of the entire aviation industry, and continues to increase.

What is ChicoDesigns.com doing about carbon emissions?

ChicoDesigns.com monitors and neutralizes the end-to-end carbon footprints of the website -- not just the servers, but also the visitor's computers and networks while accessing the site! We use renewable energy certificates from third-party wind and solar farms that have been certified by services like Green-E. The energy generated gets pumped into the electrical grid, displacing electricity that otherwise would have been generated by burning fossil fuels.