'Green' search engine launched

A new search engine that combines Google's index with environmentally friendly projects has been launched.

Click4Carbon.com offers both a search engine and an online community that can help surfers calculate their carbon footprint and take steps to reduce it.

Profits made from the search engine will be used to fund worldwide forestation projects through the Plant-A-Tree-Today Foundation.

Claire and John Russell are the people behind the new search engine. A married couple, they explained to Web User that part of their motivation in creating the site was to make the world a better place for their children.

"Like many families up and down the country, we realised there are no easy answers and you can’t suddenly become 'green' overnight. The philosophy we adopted was to think big and act small," Mr Russell said.

The use of Google's index is done entirely with the search giant's permission and the couple said that they weren't trying to compete in the search market.

"It's the same search experience as using Google directly – we're not trying to be another search engine," Mr Russell told Web User.

The site has a carbon calculator that works out your carbon footprint for you and lets you set targets to reduce it. The Click4Carbon community aims to promote environmental awareness and provide a forum for sharing tips about doing your bit to save the planet.

Though the site was officially launched today, it already has more than 2,000 members and Mr Russell told Web User that it was aiming to have half a million members signed up within 12 months.

www.click4carbon.com
www.plant-a-tree-today.org