### Before we dig in, please take a minute to flip through this deck on [Right Relationship with Technology. ](https://www.canva.com/design/DAFiSz6PFhg/Lg6yLjOx-Fi3sJ1-9COq0g/view?utm_content=DAFiSz6PFhg&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h9b1c097529) --- ### Where to start? > Strategically prompted with Claude & GPT: Here's a comprehensive data and privacy outline tailored specifically for young climate activists. Based on the documents you've shared and your specific interests, this guide will focus on ethical tech alternatives that align with both environmental and privacy values. The guide combines information from the documents you shared while addressing your specific concerns about browser alternatives, cloud storage options, and the environmental impact of AI. Key highlights of the guide: 1. **Browser alternatives** with detailed comparisons between Firefox, Brave, including their environmental benefits and privacy features 2. **Cloud storage alternatives** to Google Drive, with options like Proton Drive, CryptPad, and Nextcloud 3. **Migration paths** and tools to make switching easier 4. **AI and surveillance capitalism** section that explains the environmental costs of AI tools and search 5. **Group action plan** for implementing these changes collectively 6. **Comparison tables** that make it easy to understand the pros and cons of different tools The guide is designed to be practical and actionable, acknowledging that making these changes takes time but providing specific tools to make transitions easier. It also connects digital privacy directly to climate justice, showing how these issues intersect. --- # Digital Privacy & Environmental Justice Guide for Climate Activists ## Why This Matters for Climate Activists - **Surveillance Risk**: Your climate activism is powerful—and being tracked by corporate and government entities - **Environmental Impact**: Big Tech's data centers consume massive energy resources and water - **Digital Colonialism**: Large tech companies extract value from your data while externalizing environmental costs - **Movement Security**: Protecting your organizing work strengthens climate justice movements - **Tech Alignment**: Using ethical alternatives brings your digital life in harmony with your climate values ## 🌱 Browser Alternatives: Beyond Chrome | Browser | Environmental Benefits | Privacy Benefits | Notes for Activists | | ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Firefox** | - Lower resource usage<br>- Not contributing to Google's data center expansion | - Open source<br>- Configurable privacy settings<br>- Not tied to advertising business | **RECOMMENDED**: Best balance of usability and ethics<br>- Add uBlock Origin + Privacy Badger extensions | | **Brave** | - Built-in ad blocking reduces data usage | - Blocks trackers by default<br>- Strips out tracking parameters | Good for less tech-savvy activists<br>- Privacy features work out-of-the-box | ### Migration Tool for Easy Switching - Firefox Import Wizard automatically transfers bookmarks, saved passwords, and browsing history - Instructions: Download Firefox → Open menu → Settings → Import from Another Browser ## 🔍 Search Engine Alternatives | Search Engine | Environmental Edge | Privacy Advantage | Climate Activist Benefit | | -------------- | --------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ | | **DuckDuckGo** | - No AI bloat<br>- Less server infrastructure | - No tracking<br>- No search history collection | - Your research on climate issues isn't profiled | ## ☁️ Cloud Storage & Collaboration Alternatives | Service | Environmental Impact | Privacy Features | Notes for Climate Organizers | | ---------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Proton Drive** | - Renewable-powered data centers<br>- EU-based (stricter energy regulations) | - End-to-end encryption<br>- Zero-knowledge architecture | - 1GB free<br>- Paid tiers available<br>- Swiss privacy laws | | **CryptPad** | - Lower resource footprint<br>- Open source infrastructure | - Zero-knowledge encryption<br>- Anonymous collaboration possible | - Great for collaborative documents<br>- Action planning without tracking | | **Nextcloud** | - Self-hostable on green servers<br>- Community-maintained | - Full control over your data<br>- No corporate surveillance | - Complete Google Workspace alternative<br>- Good for larger organizations | | **Obsidian** | - OSS hybrid model | - End-to-end encryption for Sync servers<br> | - free service doesn't include sync'd server<br>- Good mobile apps | ## 📱 Secure Communication for Climate Organizing |App|Environmental Consideration|Privacy Protection|Organizing Benefits| |---|---|---|---| |**Signal**|- Efficient protocols<br>- Minimal metadata storage|- End-to-end encryption<br>- Minimal data collection<br>- Disappearing messages|- Group chats with encryption<br>- Can register with Google Voice number for added privacy| |**Element (Matrix)**|- Self-hostable<br>- Federated (distributed system)|- End-to-end encryption<br>- Open-source protocol|- Large group organization<br>- Public/private spaces<br>- Bridges to other platforms| |**Session**|- Decentralized network reduces central infrastructure|- No phone number required<br>- Metadata protection|- Anonymous communications<br>- Excellent for high-risk activism| ## 🤖 AI & Surveillance Capitalism: What Climate Activists Should Know ### Environmental Costs of AI - A single ChatGPT query can use 5-10x the energy of a standard search - AI training centers consume millions of gallons of water for cooling - Google's forced AI integration in search increases the carbon footprint of everyday activities ### Privacy & Justice Implications - AI systems extract and process massive amounts of data, often without consent - Climate justice voices and resources may be downranked in AI-based systems - Large language models often embed extractive economic frameworks ### Ethical Alternatives - Use native search features in Firefox and Brave - Try Kagi (paid) for AI-optional search with transparency - For research, rely on primary sources rather than AI summaries ## 🛡️ Essential Privacy Tools for Climate Activists | Tool Type | Recommendation | Why It Matters for Climate Work | | -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Password Manager** | Bitwarden (free, open source), Onepass, Pass | Protect your accounts while avoiding resource-intensive password resets | | **2FA App** | Aegis (Android) or Raivo (iOS) | Secure access to your organizing platforms without SMS (which is less secure) | | **VPN** | Mullvad (privacy-focused, accepts cash), Proton | Shield your climate research and organizing from ISP surveillance | | **Email** | ProtonMail | Communications about actions protected from scanning and profiling | ## 🌍 Group Action Plan: Climate Tech Justice 1. **Host a "Digital Climate Justice" workshop** - Help each other install privacy tools - Migrate group documents to ethical alternatives - Share skills and troubleshoot together 2. **Create a Tech Values Statement for your climate group** - Define what digital ethics means for your organization - Set standards for tool adoption and data practices - Center both environmental and social justice in your digital choices 3. **Establish a Data Minimization Protocol** - Only collect what you need for organizing - Regular deletion schedules for sensitive information - Clear guidelines for how long data is kept 4. **Schedule quarterly digital security check-ins** - Review tools and practices - Update security measures - Share new alternatives as they emerge ## 📚 Resources for Deeper Learning - Electronic Frontier Foundation's Surveillance Self-Defense: [ssd.eff.org](https://ssd.eff.org/ - [IntelTechniques ](https://inteltechniques.com/)by Michael Bazzel - [Center for Humane Technology](https://www.humanetech.com/) - [Oslo Freedom Forum](https://oslofreedomforum.com/) - --- _Remember: Perfect privacy doesn't exist, but taking steps to protect your data is both an act of self-defense and climate justice. Start with one change, then build from there. Our digital choices are climate choices._