Recently, I voiced concerns about environmentalists using generative AI tools like ChatGPT, highlighting their significant energy and water usage. If we truly care about our planet, I argued, these climate-impactful technologies should be avoided.

While many agreed with this perspective, a common query emerged: "How can I remove AI from my life entirely?" This question is more complex than it seems, as AI has integrated itself into virtually every facet of our lives—from mobile devices to Microsoft Word, customer service, and especially search engines.

Many of you expressed frustration over Google’s tendency to show AI-generated responses as the top results, overshadowing potentially better answers from actual websites.

Interestingly, while AI-researched results may not carry the same environmental weight as loading an AI application, studies indicate that these AI-search outcomes consume four to five times more energy than traditional searches. In the fight against climate change, every watt saved counts.

Fortunately, there’s a straightforward way to exclude AI from your Google search results: simply append -AI to your search query.

For instance, when I searched for "why are tigers endangered?" I gained an AI-generated overview first. However, when I added "-AI" at the end, authoritative sources emerged instead, showcasing information grounded in reality.

Another example involved searching for noise pollution from data centers. Initially, an AI response was returned, but with "-AI," I received results from reputable sources. This method ensures the information is verified, contrasting with many AI-generated outputs that often lack proper citations.

Google may dominate the search engine space, but it's not the only option. I experimented with other platforms as well.

Bing presented an AI response from its Copilot system, but adding "-AI" didn’t yield a populated response field.

Yahoo also led with an AI summary, even when "-AI" was included, positioning it behind a credible source—a point I consider a major setback.

In contrast, DuckDuckGo provided an AI assist but added a caution about potential inaccuracies. However, using "-AI" resulted in clean, AI-free search results, marking DuckDuckGo the winner of this round. Kudos to it for prioritizing user privacy without tracking search data.

While these techniques are not infallible—and search engines may evolve their systems—using "-AI" is a simple and efficient strategy for decreasing the carbon footprint of your online searches. As a journalist who frequently searches online, this is a game-changer.

A shoutout is due to ABC News’ chief meteorologist, Ginger Zee, who shared this helpful tip. The full video can be found in her Climate A to Zee series on YouTube.

Got more questions about cutting down your carbon footprint or saving wildlife? Or perhaps you have your own tips to share? Don't hesitate to reach out!