Choose these seven writing and editing practices that benefit people and our shared planet.
At Nova Arc Content Co. we are always looking for ways to become more environmentally conscious and to improve our practices for the health of spaceship Earth and its crew. Here are some of the ways we’re exploring.
- Go paperless. One simple way to improve the environmental impact of your content is by reducing paper waste. Most academic journals have moved away from printed submissions and require electronic submissions, which makes the switch to paperless content easy. Most RFPs also only require electronic submissions, though some organizations still do ask for paper submissions. When you do have to print for a proposal submission, print double-sided when guidelines allow and consider environmentally-conscious printers who use recycled paper, plant-based inks, or renewable energy sources.
- Use eco-friendly tools and websites. You can also choose eco-friendly search engines for research. Some search engine websites even offer a way to offset your carbon footprint. Website Ecosia has helped to plant over 200 million trees and continues to support reforestation efforts and gives back 100% of its profits to climate action. Some websites also allow you to test your site’s carbon footprint and learn how to improve your rating.
- Work remotely. Work from a home office. You can meet with clients, conduct interviews, and research remotely. This helps to limit environmental impacts through the elimination of additional electricity use, transportation emissions, and paper and plastic use.
- Bring your own cup. If you’re using a single-use cup for your morning cup of coffee (or tea), fueling your content work could be contributing to paper and plastic waste, carbon emissions, and environmental pollutants from microplastics. Ordering your drink in a coffee shop mug or bringing your own travel mug helps to reduce these environmental impacts.
- Reduce energy use and give back. Work with companies who commit to remote work practices and/or invest in renewable energy, like solar-powered operations. It can be challenging to run a business and always make the right decision for the environment. Consider offsetting your business’ emissions by investing in organizations that are working on environmental solutions.
- Use AI responsibly. Practicing responsible technology usage with an eye to environmental protection and water conservation means not relying on AI to write and edit your content. AI uses large amounts of water to cool data center servers. UCLA Newsroom shared in a 2026 article that “AI’s carbon emissions last year were equivalent to the entirety of New York City; and consumption of freshwater resources from 2025 alone exceeded the global consumption of bottled water.” According to the UN Environmental Programme, AI microchips and data centers also contribute to environmental destruction through the mining of rare earth minerals and waste that includes pollutants such as mercury and lead. And due to energy-demanding data centers, AI requests require 10 times the electricity of Google searches.
- Choose environmentally conscious content creators. Work with us! Nova Arc recognizes current threats to our environment and supports the protection of our planet by addressing the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. To support these goals, Nova Arc operates as a fully remote business and also recognizes the need to further limit its electronic emissions, which inform business decisions in our home offices, website design, and more. We continue to look for additional ways to offset emissions, support sustainable practices, and partner with companies and organizations that also support planetary health.
Schedule a meeting with us to discuss your project today!
Sources
- Bankston, E. “Sustainable Content: Eco-Friendly Writing Practices.” Evolution Writers. Published September 2023.
- Writer’s Relief. “8 Ways Writers Can Go Green and Be Eco-Friendly.” Published June 1, 2023.
- Sweet, G. “How Ecosia Uses Search Engines to Boost Reforestation.” Sustainability Magazine. Published August 6, 2025.
- Miller, A. “6 Surprising Environmental Impacts of Remotely Working from Home.” Earth.org. Published January 20, 2022.
- Nowel, C. “The Disposable Cup Crisis: What’s the Environmental Impact of a To-Go Coffee?” The Guardian. Published January 22, 2024.
- UN Environment Programme. “AI Has an Environmental Problem. Here’s What the World Can Do About That.” Published November, 13 2025.
- Srinivasan, R., and Jacobi, E. “Opinion: AI is Destroying Our Planet. We Must Act to Check Its Growth—And Save Ourselves.” UCLA Newsroom. Published March 6, 2026.
