The Greener Search Engine

Last Updated on March 3, 2020

Generating Money For Conservation

Ecosia is a search engine. A pretty clear and simple one at that. Although Google is by far the most popular one, Ecosia can actually add-on to Google Chrome as an extension (how I run it). What makes Ecosia so cool is that it donates 80 percent of its profits towards conservation. Specifically protecting and planting trees. As of Sept 2018, they’ve already planted over 40 million trees! Pretty sweet.👌

Ecosia’s Credentials

The Founder and CEO, Christian Kroll launch Ecosia in 2009. He was apparently compelled to start-up this search tool after a trip around the world that emphasized for him the need to protect and grow our forests. Ecosia has since partnered up with Bing, widening its user-base as it continues its work defending forests.

Based out of Berlin, Ecosia was recently in the news for trying to help protect the ancient German forest of Hambach from destruction. The 12,000 year old forest has already been decimated by coal mining, with only about 10% of it remaining (see Deutsche Welle). This last remnant is currently owned by RWE, a German utility, who is now looking to cut it down in order to mine for more coal. Craziness.

Putting Down Roots

While the energy company has been attempting to clear-cut the forest, protestors and activists have been fighting for years to prevent that from happening. Ecosia has since made an offer of €1m to buy it from them, although the offer has not yet been taken.

From what I can see, they actually do put their money where their mouth is. They preserve and plant trees. To that effect, I think they represent a brilliant search engine alternative. We have to look up stuff either way! In using Ecosia, at least you know you’re supporting an organization that supports trees.

The Transition to Non-Profit