Every Byte Counts

Overbrowsing is an applied research group focused on advancing sustainable web practices. Established as part of doctoral research at The University of Edinburgh's Institute for Design Informatics, we blend inquiry with action to develop research-driven solutions that reduce the environmental impact of the internet and improve accessibility, aligning technological potential with environmental stewardship.

Action is Long Overdue

The promise of digitalisation leading to dematerialisation has yet to be fulfilled, as the internet now contributes 3.7% of global emissions—twice that of the aviation industry. With 5.5 billion users (68% of the global population) and 4% annual growth, demand for power, infrastructure, and bandwidth continues to rise. This accelerates extractive systems that deplete vital resources such as water, land, and abiotic materials, compounding environmental harm across the technology supply chain. As IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee stated: “Every bit of warming matters. Every year matters. Every choice matters.” And with that, every byte matters.

Pruner.js: A Responsive Image Javascript Utility

Inspired by the practice of horticultural pruning—the targeted removal of unhealthy or unwanted parts to promote growth—Pruning addresses the inefficiencies of HTML5.1 responsive images. Traditional responsive image delivery relies on multiple versions for specific viewports but often leads to errors, complex markup, and pixel waste—image data extending beyond the visible aperture.

View on GitHub