The Internet is undoubtedly a vital resource for the advancement of humankind. The whole thing is however fundamentally flawed. Unless we can find sustainable ways of powering our Internet its entire existence is threatened.

Every single web site out there sits on the hard drive of some computer which sits in the middle of two other computers which in turn are located in a huge row of machines all lined up side-by-side. This is what we call a data centre.

Most of us think a computer doesn’t really use that much electricity. But on this scale it becomes a major concern. The power requirements for these data centres are surprisingly high. Of course, as fossil fuels begin to run out, the very systems that create the power which makes that web site pop-up on your screen almost instantly are coming under threat.

As with every other carbon dependent resource we humans have created, the Internet is at the mercy of our changing globe. It is essential that we find new ways to generate electricity.

In fact the technology already exists, what it requires is investment. Governments need to invest and at the other end of the scale, individuals like you and I need to take responsibility for our planet and invest in the systems which will supersede carbon dependent industry.

One way for the web site owner to make a difference is to use solar power as the energy source for that web site. Don’t worry, you don’t need to install a solar panel in your office. Some bright spark has already built a 100 percent solar powered data centre which you can use to host your web site.

Masses and masses of pure Californian sun is soaked up every day and converted into electricity which powers the computers on which your web site is stored. You can feel safe in the knowledge that your web site is contributing nothing to the global warming problem and your web hosting account will no longer be subject to power outages which 90 percent of your competitors will continue to suffer.

As carbon hungry electricity generation becomes cost ineffective, big industry will no doubt turn their attention to alternative energy. We are first movers, investing in our planet and our future. Let the petrochemical companies get bogged down in their ever more futile search while we embrace the clean, green energy of the future.