Real Costs

From Rhizome Artbase
2007
Description

Real Costs is is a Firefox plug-in that inserts CO2 emissions data into travel-related e-commerce websites to increase awareness of the environmental impact of consumer choices.

Rhizome staff
2021

"Real Costs" is a Firefox plug-in that inserts emissions data into travel related e-commerce websites. The objective is to increase awareness of the environmental impact of choices in the life of the Internet user. By presenting this information in the place where decisions are being made, it will hopefully create an impact on the viewer, encourage a sense of individual agency, and provide a set of alternatives and immediate actions.

Michael Mandiberg
5 June 2007

"Real Costs" is a Firefox plug-in that inserts emissions data into travel related e-commerce websites. The first version adds CO2 emissions information to airplane ticket websites. It tells you how much carbon each flight will produce. Following versions will work with car directions, car rental, and shipping websites. Think of it like the nutritional information labeling on the back of food... except for emissions. The objective of the "Real Costs" is to increase awareness of the environmental impact of certain day-to-day choices in the life of the Internet user. By presenting this environmental impact information in the place where decisions are being made, it will hopefully create an impact on the viewer, encourage a sense of individual agency, and provide a set of alternatives and immediate actions. In the process the user/viewer might even be transformed from passive consumer to engaged citizen.

Michael Mandiberg
5 June 2007
Metadata
Variant History
outside link
2007
Michael Mandiberg