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Being conscious about how high-technology impacts our environment (see previous postings on such topics here, and here and here.) I was interested to see that there are those who think that Google should tone down it’s homepage to have less white on it. The Thinking Blog has highlighted that changing the background of Google to black could have a significant impact on the amount of energy that the world’s most popular search engine consumes while it sits on people’s screens. As much as 750 Megawatts says ecoIron. Note that the example cited is in relation to CRT monitors and not LCDs.

Clearly a black Google background might effect it’s mantra of ‘Do no evil’ as the colour could be interpreted as being something a bit macabre. However, at least presenting the option for people to use a black background version of Google without having to use plugins would be a good move.

The BBC does present a variety of options for its users to change the display of it’s website. This is done primarily in the name of accessibility for people who may have trouble reading the site with the default colour scheme. Perhaps such a feature should be added to Google.com.

Will Google turn to the dark side? Well I can’t see them accepting apologies by force choking people or starting to use mechanical breathing. But perhaps they could take one leaf out of our favourite Dark Lord’s book and adopt the colour or his wardrobe.