Backup and Bits: How to Save Your Data (and a Piece of the Planet) in 2025

Hello digital explorers! Paul here, ready to guide you into the wonderful world of backups and reveal a secret no one has ever told you: your forgotten files are eating up your energy like a hungry teenager devours midnight pizza.

Ready to find out how to save your data and a little bit of the planet?

Let's go!

The tragic story of Marco and his 3742 lost shots

I'll tell you a true story, or maybe not, who knows (with the name changed to protect the innocent).

Marco was an enthusiastic photographer. He had just completed a photoshoot for a concert: 3742 perfect shots documenting an unforgettable evening (well, not anymore).

When he got home, he downloaded everything to his computer and, dead tired, went to sleep thinking, "I'll back up tomorrow."

Guess what happened the next morning?

That's right. Your hard drive has decided to "retire" early. Permanently. Without warning.

Moment of silence for all the live photos lost forever.

Why Backup Is Not an Option, It's a Vital Necessity

Data is like small children: precious, irreplaceable, and with an extraordinary ability to disappear at the most inopportune moment.

The 3-2-1 Rule (or How to Sleep Soundly)

The sacred rule of professional backup is simple:

• 3 total copies of your data
• On 2 different types of media (e.g. hard disk and cloud)
• With 1 copy stored in a physically different location

Backup Options: Pros and Cons in Honest Version

1. External Hard Drives

Pros : Cheap, easy to use, no subscription.

Cons : They can fall, break, get stolen, or spontaneously decide to become expensive paperweights.

Paul's Tip : If you use external hard drives, treat them like they hold the secrets of your adolescence. And buy new ones every 3-4 years, even if they seem to work perfectly.

2. Cloud Solutions

Pros : Accessibility from anywhere, automatic synchronization, protection from physical disasters.

Cons : Recurring costs, internet dependency, privacy to monitor.

3. NAS (Network Attached Storage)

Pros : Centralized, RAID configurable for added security, network accessible.

Cons : High initial cost, more complex setup, requires minimal technical skills.

The Digital Elephant in the Room: Data Energy Consumption

Now, let's get to the part you probably didn't know (or pretended not to know so you wouldn't feel guilty): all those files you're accumulating are using up energy. A lot of energy.

Data Centers: The Hungry Whales of the Digital World

Global data centers consume about 1-2% of the world's electricity. Does this seem like a small number? That's more than the electricity consumed by many countries!

According to the Enel Group 's global business line that operates in the field of energy supply and energy management services, ''Data centers consume around 200 terawatt hours (TWh) of energy per year and their electricity consumption is expected to increase by about fifteen times by 2030, reaching 8% of total electricity demand.'' (you can learn more here ).

Every email, cat photo, meme you save “to use at the right time” is using up energy 24/7/365.

Your Digital Archive: An Electronic Landfill?

Let's do a little experiment. Open your photo gallery or the "Download" folder on your computer.

How many of those photos/files do you actually need?

• The 15 nearly identical versions of the same sunset?
• Conversation screenshots from 2018?
• The 200 memes saved "just in case"?

Digital Cleanup: When Minimalism Is Good for the Planet

Here's how to do an effective digital cleanup and help reduce energy consumption:

1. The 90-day rule

If you haven’t opened a file in the last 90 days (and it’s not an important document), you probably don’t need it.

2. Organize before you delete

Create a logical folder system. Mine, for example, are:

• Current projects
• Archive (organized by year/customer)
• Personal
  

3. Automate cleaning

Tools like [Clean My Mac], [CCleaner] or even your operating system's built-in cleaning functions can work wonders.

4. Compress without losing quality

For photos, I always use smart compression before archiving. A good compromise can save you up to 60% space without any visible loss of quality.

Sustainable backup: yes, it exists!

Here is my sustainable backup flow:

1. Initial selection : I immediately eliminate the obviously wrong shots
2. First selection : I select only the best photos (about 20-30% of the total)
3. Editing and delivery : I work only on selected files
4. Storage : I keep the selected RAW files and the final edits
5. Courageous cleaning : I permanently eliminate everything else

Result? I save about 70% of the space compared to my old "save everything, just in case" method.

Paul's Challenge: Responsible Backup

I challenge you: dedicate 30 minutes to:

1. Implement a backup system following the 3-2-1 rule
2. Delete at least 30% of your junk files

If you do this and tag me on Instagram, I'll give you a free 15-minute consultation on managing digital archives, maybe.

And no, it's not a trap to make you clean your data... ok, maybe a little, but it's for a good cause!

Bottom line: Save your data, save a penguin

Every time you take a responsible backup and delete unnecessary data, somewhere a penguin in Antarctica thanks you (I can't prove this scientifically, but I'm pretty sure it's true).

Remember: your data is precious, but so is the planet's energy.

See you soon, eco-digital friends!
Paul

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PS: If you liked this article and want a personalized consultation on managing your digital archives or on backup systems for your business, write to me!

Together we can create a system that protects your data without needlessly eating up energy.