Being Polite to ChatGPT

Apparently… we’re supposed to stop saying please and thank you to ChatGPT?!
Why? Because it’s “bad for the environment.”
Let’s cut the hysteria and actually break this down.

The Concern: ChatGPT has a carbon footprint

It’s true. Using large language models does consume electricity and water.

Each prompt = data centre energy
Each response = some amount of cooling water
That all adds up to carbon emissions

So yes, technically, every extra token (like the word “please”) uses a fraction more energy.

Some stats floating around:

– ChatGPT emits 10x more carbon than a Google search
– It uses the equivalent of 200 Olympic swimming pools of water a day
– Training AI can emit as much CO₂ as 200 flights from NYC to San Fran

Scary, right? BUT… those numbers are missing CONTEXT.

1. ChatGPT is being compared to the wrong things

It’s NOT just a search engine. It replaces:

– Human writing
– Live instruction
– Business research
– Long-form content
– Entire workflows

Compared to humans doing the same work, it emits 100x–1000x LESS CO₂

[Tomlinson et al., Scientific Reports, 2024]

If you’ve used GPT to write a proposal, prep slides, or build a funnel?
Congrats – you’ve already reduced your carbon impact.

2. Your online use isn’t the big problem

Zoom? More energy.
Netflix? Way more.
Farting? Also worse. (No, really.)

If you’re serious about reducing your footprint:

– Eat less red meat
– Fly less
– Insulate your house
– Use clean energy
– Buy less crap

Not… removing polite words from AI prompts.

3. Politeness is not the villain. It’s the vibe.

Every prompt trains AI how to speak back.

So are we modelling empathy, or efficiency-at-all-costs?

Or communication that’s still kind, helpful, and (dare I say it)… human?

Because I’d rather raise an AI that mirrors empathy than one that’s a passive-aggressive know-it-all from 2049.

One “thank you” to ChatGPT might emit 0.02g of CO₂.

That’s about the same as turning on a lightbulb for one second.

If we’re blaming that for climate change?

We’ve officially lost the plot.

The real takeaway?

1. Yes, AI has an environmental footprint.
2. Yes, we should absolutely be aware of how we use it.
3. No, you don’t need to cut kindness out of your prompts.

Here’s what does make a difference:

– Using GPT instead of printing, flying, commuting
– Creating a reusable custom GPT so you’re not re-prompting every time
– Skipping low-impact busywork entirely with automation (that’s where the real savings are)

And above all? Use AI to work smarter – not to guilt yourself into silence.

Final Thought

You’re not the problem because you’re nice.

You’re not killing the planet because you said “thank you” to a robot.

You’re creating better outcomes with fewer resources – and that’s kind of the whole point.

So keep using the tools.

Keep saying please.

Keep training the future with the energy you actually want it to reflect.

about author
Em Gee

Marketing mentor turned bot queen, building AI systems that actually get your brand.

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