Powering a clean energy revolution

Helping our Users “Go Green”

Google is continually developing tools and services to help our users “go green.” Below are just a few examples:

Google Desktop

We've developed a new Google Desktop gadget for Windows XP and Vista that helps you save energy by minimizing your PC's power consumption when it's not actively in use. The Energy Saver gadget will automatically enable and optimize your Windows power settings to EPA recommended standards. It will also show you how much energy you've saved – and how much energy everyone who is using the gadget has saved collectively. All you need to do is make sure you have Google Desktop up and running and then install the Energy Saver gadget.

Google Maps

You've got to get someplace - the airport, out to dinner, work - and you want to do your part to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Check out the transit trip planning feature of Google Maps. The planner uses all available public transportation schedules to plot out the most efficient possible step-by-step itinerary.

You can also use Google Maps to organize your very own green events. In October 2007, for example, we virtually hosted an International Clean Up Weekend and invited people around the world to create their own local cleanups with family and friends.

Our users have also applied Google Maps technology to create various environmental “mashups” that demonstrate effects of the climate crisis. For instance, you can view a map that shows where coastal flooding would occur with various changes in sea levels or explore climate data for cities around the world.

Finally, if you live in the United Kingdom, you can install a personalized carbon calculator right on your iGoogle homepage. This tool uses Google Maps technology to help you to calculate, track, compare and update your very own carbon footprint.

Google Earth

Google Earth's satellite imagery, terrain, and 3D buildings bring you cutting-edge information on world geography – including the geographic impact of climate change. For example, the United Nations Environment Program has created the “Atlas of our Changing Environment” to show pictures, such as the deforestation in Brazil or the shrinking of Lake Chad in Africa.

Google Calendar

Want to go green, but don't know where to start? Find other environmentally-minded people in your local community by searching the Google Calendar Gallery for earth-friendly events in your neighborhood.

And whether you're planning a beach clean-up day or an eco-task force meeting, use Google Calendar to send invites and alerts instead of mailing all those paper cards. It's a small step to help save the environment - not to mention saving you from licking all those envelopes.

Google Docs

Toss all those sticky notes, to-do lists, and memo pads into the recycle bin and get organized online with Google Docs. Switching to online documents, spreadsheets, and presentations that you can share with others will get you one step closer to a paperless life.