You may think of Ecosia as the search engine that plants trees (over 225 million so far, thanks to you!). But we’re not just here to green the planet. We’re also in the business of building a better, fairer, and more resilient internet — one that reflects our shared values, protects democracy, and doesn't buckle when things get politically messy.
That’s why we’ve joined the #oneclickaway campaign, alongside other independent European tech companies. This campaign is a wake-up call to politicians across the EU: it’s time to invest in Europe’s own digital infrastructure. Because right now, we’re dangerously dependent on just a few Big Tech players — and most of them are headquartered far, far away. Let’s break it down.
Europe’s Digital Backbone? Built in America
From the European Commission to local town halls, many public institutions in Europe rely on U.S.-based tech giants for everything, from search engines, to cloud storage and productivity tools. That might seem harmless — after all, the tools work, right?
But here’s the problem: when your digital infrastructure depends on foreign companies, you’re not in control. Your data, your decisions and your democratic processes are all increasingly shaped by the business models and political winds of another continent.
A recent example? Earlier this month, a major U.S. tech firm pulled the plug on cloud services for the International Criminal Court after it opened an investigation that ruffled political feathers. This is not a scenario from some dystopian movie. It’s happening right now. Imagine if your whole country’s digital systems — government emails, courts, schools — could be turned off at the click of a button. That’s not sovereignty. That’s a risk we can’t afford to take.
What is #oneclickaway?
The #oneclickaway campaign is a cross-European effort to encourage policymakers to make different choices. Instead of defaulting to the usual Big Tech vendors, we're asking them to consider European alternatives for search, cloud, email, and more. The name says it all: most alternatives are just one click away.
It doesn’t take a revolution, just the political will to support homegrown, ethical tech. This isn’t about tech nationalism or shutting out global collaboration. It’s about balance, plurality and resilience. The same way a biodiverse forest is more robust than a monoculture plantation, a diverse digital ecosystem is more resistant to shocks — whether political, economic, or technological.
Why does Ecosia care?
We’ve always believed that where you search matters. Not just because your searches can fund climate action, but because search engines shape how people see the world. That’s why we created the European Search Perspective (EUSP) with our partner Qwant — to offer a European alternative that respects privacy, supports democracy, and doesn’t treat users like data mines.
But we’re just one piece of the puzzle. Real digital sovereignty needs support across the board — from cloud hosting and communication tools, to AI training. And it needs support from the top: from the European Parliament, national governments, and public sector decision-makers.
Digital sovereignty is climate action too
Building and using local infrastructure means reducing transatlantic data traffic, increasing energy efficiency, and cutting down on the carbon footprint of cloud computing. Plus, tech companies that are based here are more likely to be held accountable to EU environmental standards. It's a win-win.
What you can do
- If you’re a policymaker: consider making the switch. Support ethical, independent European tech.
- If you work in the public sector: ask questions about the tools your team is using.
- If you’re an Ecosia user: keep using us (yay!), and tell your friends. Every click is a vote for the internet you want to see.
Digital sovereignty isn’t a niche issue. It’s a foundation for democracy, sustainability, and security. And it’s just one click away.
