Hi Phillip,

Thanks for this helpful blogpost! Just one question: Isn't Web Networks extremely expensive? What's up with that.

Thanks,
-L

Hi,

I checked out the various webhosts suggested and unfortunately 2 of the 3 environmental/ethical ones don't really seem to work as you click through their sites and the third one (Ethical Host) doesn't give an email contact or company address, which doesn't give much transparency.

It'd also be nice if they gave some history (how long they've been around) or some other insurance that they're going to last and my money won't go down the tubes.

Of the independents, 3 seem workable, but one is costly, and another seems very techie (seemingly uncommon control panel for web admin or none at all).

Just some thoughts. I/we would love to use an environmentally-responsible or ethical webhost.

Thanks for posting this article.

L

Hi there L,

Thanks so much for you comments. I’ve updated the list of Web hosting companies (and will continue to do so as I find them). The Eco hosting and Ethical Host links still work for me.

As far as Web Networks go (or any progressive hosting company for that matter): I hear what you are saying about cost. However, more-and-more, I am asking organizations that I work with to stop thinking about hosting, and to start thinking about support contracts for their sites. Content management systems are a great example of a critical piece of software that quickly can get out-of-date and leave an organization very vulnerable to security problems — having a competent technical organization do the updates and upgrades for you is (more often than not) well worth the investment.

Also, there’s the question of solidarity: much of our culture is about the “best deal” and market competition, but that’s not what always best for the environment, our communities, or our long-term option to have support from a values-aligned organization. As an example competition and market pressures haven’t done much to help our health care system, or social services in Toronto.

I think my previous post captures my thoughts on the choices that progressive organizations make around purchasing technology. Hope that helps + good luck with the search! (And, if you find other resources, please post them here.)

Hi Phillip,

Thanks as always for your great insights and holistic, empowering view on all things techie.

Found some more green webhosts, but don't know how good they are:

http://www.ethicalhost.ca (you've listed above)
- Canadian
- Powered by Wind

http://www.greenhosting.org/
- Canadian
- Powered by Wind

http://www.HostItGreen.com
- Canadian + USA Partner
- 100% of income goes to producing renewable energy

http://www.spinhost.ca
- Canadian
- Powered by Wind

Btw, the Eco Hosting site doesn't work beyond the homepage.

Thanks and best wishes

L

To the poster that was wondering about contact information on my site, it is all there on the "Contact Us" Page (linked form the very top of the site), phone, address, and email. as well email contacts are listed on the support page as well? hope that helps.

Also to address your other concern, I have been around since May '06 but have been in the hosting business for over 8 years now. I also don't plan on going anywhere either.

Thanks for your interest.

John
www.ethicalhost.ca
1 (888) 315-4678

Hey there John,

Many thanks for taking the time to post an update. Much appreciated.

Phillip.

Hi Phillip,

(Two years on...) Here's another list of eco-webhosts (mostly US-based, so Canadian customers may still want to consider supporting those you've listed)...

Best Green Web Hosting Reviews by just_a_guy
http://www.squidoo.com/best-green-web-hosting-reviews

My Feb 11/07 post was incorrect. HostItGreen.com is not a webhost. They are a middleman who use their 'matching' and 'referral' programs to donate to renewable energy sources. The actual webhost companies may not actively buy carbon-neutral energy credits themselves - or, if they do, it may only be for the clients whom HostItGreen.com referred. Still, better than nothing.

Spinhost.ca is not loading on my computer; don't know what their status is.

The webhosts listed, here and on the Squidoo page, strive for socio-environmental responsibility in different ways, and to varying degrees. Much depends on geography, technology used, long-term viability, business values, and so on.

AISO's in California is a must-read:

http://www.aiso.net/commitment.asp

Be great if someone could compare the different companies and their offerings, then rank them or highlight key differences, and provide a one-line summary - eg, 'Value for Money', 'Green all the way,' etc. Noting company location is important obviously, as people may opt to 'buy local' over having flashy/extra features, or to support the 'little guy' so s/he can thrive and become more green operationally.

(I'd do it, but...Perl, PHP, Apache what's that?? I sort of muddle along and only recently discovered that I am unable to install the great plug-in features my webhost offers because they expect you to know how and offer no support for this. In this sense, WebHostingBuzz.com is tempting, but not terribly green.)

What I can do is post your article to Squidoo, and send it also to Web Host Database, which currently has NO green webhosts listed on their page: http://whdb.com/types/green/

To the webhosts:

Please set the bar high by attracting overseas clients interested in sustainability and corporate responsibility. Create a wildfire trend, so that countries elsewhere (who haven't yet set up their own datacentres, networks, etc) must follow your lead from the get-go.

As AISO points out, "We built our new data center, network and servers from the start to use the lowest amount of energy possible using the latest green design techniques, no other hosting company can do what we do without starting from scratch."

Oprah's 'Global Warming 101' and 'A Greener Truth' episodes are inspiring reminders. As Al Gore points out - if ALL of America simply changed their incandescent lightbulbs to energy-efficient (and money-saving!) compact fluorescents (which unfortunately have mercury, so opt for LED, instead), it'd be equal to taking all the country's cars off the roads for an entire year!

http://www.oprah.com/dated/oprahshow/oprahshow_20061205

Happy 2009 and beyond all,
L