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This Week’s Number
200M+
Trees funded through search ads Ecosia
While AI Browsers Race to Add More, Ecosia Focuses on Less
AI browsers are one of the latest trends in tech. The pitch is compelling. Why should I search through links when AI can just answer? But a single AI query uses 10x the energy of a traditional search. For answers that often don't need AI in the first place. Plus, that's not even getting into the erosion of critical thinking that AI summaries are causing.
Then there's Ecosia.
Founded in 2009 by Christian Kroll after a trip through South America showed him miles of soy plantations where rainforests used to be. Ecosia is a search engine that directs 80% of profits to tree-planting projects. Over 200 million trees funded across 35+ countries so far.
Yes, they've added AI too. But they've invested €18M in renewable energy to generate more clean power than their AI features consume. They use smaller, efficient models. They skip energy-heavy features like video generation.
The model is simple. Searches generate ad revenue. Ad revenue funds trees. Trees sequester carbon.
What makes Ecosia unusual isn't just the mission. It's the structure. In 2018, Kroll gave away his shares to the Purpose Foundation, legally preventing Ecosia from ever being sold or paying out dividends. It was Germany's first certified B Corp. They run on 200% renewable energy. They publish monthly financial reports showing exactly where the money goes.
One approach adds AI because everyone else is. The other asks whether it's worth the cost first.
GO DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE
❶ Ecosia's Financial Reports and Tree-Planting Receipts - See exactly where the money goes each month
❷ How Ecosia Uses Search to Boost Reforestation - The model explained in Sustainability Magazine
❸ The Story Behind Ecosia (Video) - Christian Kroll on why he built it
"Do good and enjoy life"
Thanks for reading. If this landed, forward it to someone building something that matters.
See you next week,
Tyler
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