Google is making its search engine more useful to those environmentally friendly audience. The internet giant is updating its search to include more sustainable shopping and travel options. For example, look for energy-intensive appliances like water heaters or dishwashers and you will receive suggestions for more sustainable (and often less expensive) products. A future update will also make it easier to buy electric and hybrid cars, complete with identification tags and a look at compatible charging stations nearby.
Google Flights, however will show the estimated CO2 emissions for “almost every” flight down to seat level. An economy seat on a new aircraft could be much more comfortable than a first class seat on an older commercial aircraft.
Equities will see improvement too. Google Finance is introducing sustainability ratings for stock portfolios, which will give you an idea of how environmentally conscious your investment companies are. Google obtains information from the Climate Disclosure Project.
The search will also improve if you are simply trying to study climate change. Google promises a special results page with detailed data, including related information from the UN and other authorities. Ideally, the data panels will help you better understand climate change and the struggle to minimize it.
You have to wait a while to see all of Google’s scheduled changes. The shopping and travel changes will arrive this week, but you’ll have to wait for climate change information boards until the end of October. The stock portfolio scores are just “coming soon” and you will have to wait until early 2022 to see EV and Hybrid tags.
A noticeable impact on the environment is by no means guaranteed. Just because you’ve seen a green search link doesn’t mean you click it or even consider it. Even if this is the case, it signals a change in attitudes on Google. The tech company is no longer considering cuts Resources behind the scenes be enough – it trains web users directly.
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