12th Jan 2024
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If we were pen pals, here’s what we would write to you about…
Best of all, we will only write to you 4 times a year.
That could be useful if you’re thinking of switching to Green Hosting one day.
Switching your website to Green Hosting is one really simple way that you can make your brand, organisation or project more responsible to people and our planet.
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8th Dec 2023
Green Hosting is powered 100% by renewable energy and has been for many years. A recent upgrade also means that we provide the very best in web hosting energy efficiency too.
Why is it important for renewable energy to be used efficiently?You might be wondering, if we only use 100% renewable sources (wind, sun, sea) to power our servers and not fossil fuels, why is energy efficiency so important?
We feel that it’s not just important, it is vital. Only using as much power as you need, reducing waste and most of all designing systems that require less power reduces the demand on the precious natural resources and the infrastructure that supplies it. This in turn can allow for more widespread use and potentially lower future energy costs. For us, it always comes back to being part of a wider movement for positive change, for people and the planet.
The data centre that houses the Green Hosting servers have achieved a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.05, making it one of the most efficient data centres in the world. Until recently, we could boast the excellent PUE of 1.2 but 1.05 is so much better!
This level of efficiency is achieved due to the data centre’s design and build. Firstly, to keep the very hot servers cool, it employs ‘evaporative cooling’ which works by running air and water via EcoCooling units. Simply put, outside cool air is passed through water, which evaporates and makes the air even cooler. On cold days (which are common in the UK), the water isn’t even needed and on hot days it can handle the strain. This type of cooling uses no refrigeration or harmful chemicals, just nature’s own air and water. In addition, the data centre operates ‘cold aisle containment’ which ensures that the hot air produced by the servers and the cooled air are kept separate, meaning the cooling process isn’t affected and energy isn’t wasted.
That’s not all. We have even more to look forward to; During 2024-2025 the data centre has plans to add its own roof mounted solar panel array, providing additional on-site renewable energy. We will keep you updated on this as it happens. Find out more about the data centre that houses Green Hosting.
17th Nov 2023
The authority on web hosting, HostingAdvice.com, has named Green Hosting as one of the top 10 green and eco-friendly hosting providers in 2023.
HostingAdvice have been providing reviews, guides, advice and information about web hosting since 2014. Their hosting and programming experts have over 50 years of combined web hosting knowledge.
It was great to hear we had been added to the HostingAdvice top 10 list as they had clearly recognised not only our commitment to powering ours and our clients’ websites with 100% renewable energy but also our uptime reliability and partnership with other ethical organisations. Additionally, as some of you may already know, our servers are housed in one of the most energy efficient data centres in the world. On top of this, we have an ethical policy which outlines the kind of work we love to support, we donate a percentage of our Green Hosting sales to the clean energy project Renewable World and we provide voluntary web and hosting services to local social and environmental organisations. Our clients love our great customer service and we love to champion their work too. So, we agree with HostingAdvice that our Green Hosting stands out from the crowd.
Thank you HostingAdvice!
5th Apr 2023
Last May we shared how we are focussing our efforts on supporting clean energy and nature, in addition to what we do via our core services and business practice. Nearly a year on we feel that these issues are just as important as ever, if not more. So here's an update on how we are expanding on what we already do and the causes and organisations we are backing.
It is now commonly understood that access to green spaces positively affects our wellbeing. Better still, real connection, such as conservation activities and growing food and flowers in harmony with nature brings a whole new level of understanding about the natural world and our place in it.
Keep nature healthy = keep ourselves healthy.
I (Vic) am a keen nature lover. I garden at home and I spend time walking with our dog in various natural environments. Additionally, over the past few years I have been involved in local urban community gardens and gardening. I know how fortunate I am and I know all too well that there are many people who do not have this kind of access to nature. On top of this, nature is being threatened by harmful legislation, corporates prioritising profit over the planet and the continuation of destructive developments like HS2.
There are individuals and organisations everywhere who are experts in nature conservation and organic food growing, particularly the unsung heroes in inner-city community gardens. Here you will find a wealth of knowledge and experience that anyone can tap into for free, not to mention a fierce passion for the environment and a deep care for people and their access to healthy food and time outdoors. On a wider scale there are regional and national charities working hard to shine a light on eco injustices and tackling them head on. These are the people we look to for guidance on how best to support.
So below, is an outline of where we are focussing our support this year and will review again next year to see what is effective, how we can best help and more we can do in our capacity as a small business.
The food system is quite broken. Out of season fruit and veg are flown thousands of miles to be packaged and then to a supermarket shelf. Soils are massively depleted, harmful chemicals are sprayed on crops and bees are farmed at industrial levels to pollinate fruit grown in unnatural environments. At a time when people are going hungry, there needs to be more accessible, affordable food that isn't just healthier for the people but for the planet too.
Current renewable energy solutions may not be perfect but we believe we should continue to support it's growth.
Through the activies listed above, we are working towards Sustainable Development Goal 15 'Life on Land'. See our Impact page for details about the sustainable development goals we focus on.
20th Mar 2023
Back in November 2019 we were looking for additional ways to continue to support clean energy via Green Hosting. We already did this by using renewable energy for our website hosting service and for our office base. We promote the use of renewable energy, design websites that run efficiently so as to consume less energy and provide information and guidance on ways others can do this too.
Next we wanted to contribute to action that was having a very direct and real impact on people who may not have access to the same resources and abundance of choice as we do. This is when we found Renewable World, a charity that tackles povery and climate change through off-grid, renewable energy solutions for low-income individuals, families and communities in remote places.
Renewable World have expert understanding and experience of how access to energy and running water impacts individuals' and communities' opportunities as well as their income, independence and health. They also know that the way to make energy and water solutions (and their positive effects) truly long-term and sustainable is to work alongside communities. This is why they do not simply install systems and leave but partner with communities to ensure they are engaged in choosing, building and maintaining their renewable energy solution. They also provide training in a range of fields including technical, financial, agricultural, business and more and ensure that those involved are equally represented across men, women, young people and marginalised groups.
Renewable World focus their support in remote areas of Nepal and Kenya, some of the most underserved communities in the world. Working with people here to develop and sustain energy and water solutions helps build resilience, brings about social change, contributes to climate justice and helps mitigate climate change. Read more on our page about Renewable World about what these energy projects mean in the every day lives of the people who use them.
Since their inception in 2008 Renewable World have reached around 110,000 people and over 150 communities. They have delivered energy solutions capable of:
- generating 1.54GWh of energy per year.
- pumping 336 million litres of water per year.
- mitigating 7524 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Their achievements can be read in detail on their Impact page and in their 2021-22 annual review. Now they have a new ambitious target of increasing access to to clean, affordable and sustainable energy for 500,000 people by the end of 2030.
In 2019 and today, this inclusive approach and impressive results meant that the work of Renewable World was something we wanted to be a part of.
We donate at least 1% of our monthly Green Hosting sales income to Renewable World each month. This money goes directly from us to the charity, without fees being taken by a third party. To date we have donated over £1300. Renewable world state that £20 per month could provide a community with agricultural training and tools, helping them increase their income by growing cash crops, and benefiting up to 500 individuals.
Here's what Renewable World said about our donations
"We are very grateful for the support that you offer us. A monthly contribution is especially valuable, much better for a healthy cash flow!"
Emily Jesshope, Fundraising and Events Manager
So, thank you to our clients who continue to choose Green Hosting. Alogside us, you are the ones who are supporting Renewable World and their wonderful work. See our Impact page to see all of the other positive things you are supporting too.
Green Hosting works handsomely with:
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