Is Porn Hub Still Planting Trees?

Pornography and environmentalism seem like unlikely bedfellows. However, in 2019, the adult entertainment site Porn Hub launched an initiative to plant one tree for every 100 videos viewed on their site. The move was seen as an attempt to offset some of the negative impact that the industry has on the environment. But two years later, is Porn Hub still planting trees?

The Tree Planting Initiative

Porn Hub's tree planting initiative began in April 2019 in collaboration with the nonprofit organization, 'Team Trees'. The goal was to plant 1 million trees by the end of the year, and Porn Hub pledged to contribute $1 for every 100 videos viewed in the 'Big Dick' category. The campaign was a success, and over 6.7 million trees were planted. However, the initiative was criticized by some for being a tokenistic gesture that did little to address the environmental impact of the porn industry.

The Controversy

The environmental impact of the porn industry is significant. In addition to the energy consumption required to run servers and data centers, there is also the issue of e-waste generated by discarded electronics. Moreover, the industry has been criticized for promoting unsustainable consumerism and contributing to the objectification of women, which have social implications far beyond just the environment. Some critics argued that Porn Hub's tree planting initiative was merely a smokescreen that did little to address these broader issues.

The Scandal and Suspension

Controversy surrounding Porn Hub reached new heights in 2020 when a New York Times article detailed cases where illegal videos were uploaded to the site, including child pornography. In response, payment processors, including Visa and Mastercard, cut ties with the site, and many hosting platforms removed Porn Hub's content. In December 2020, Porn Hub removed all unverified accounts and content from its platform in response, causing many to speculate that the tree planting initiative had been suspended.

The Future of Tree Planting at Porn Hub

The future of tree planting at Porn Hub is unclear. While the company has not released any updates on the initiative since the scandal broke, it pledged to continue collaborating with 'Team Trees' in 2021. However, some critics have argued that Porn Hub's focus should be on addressing the deeper environmental and social issues raised by the adult entertainment industry, rather than just planting trees.

In conclusion, Porn Hub's tree planting initiative was seen as a positive step towards offsetting some of the environmental impact of the porn industry. While the future of the initiative is uncertain, it has raised broader questions about sustainability and accountability in the adult entertainment industry. If the industry wants to be taken seriously as an environmental steward, it will need to address the wider issues of consumerism and waste that it promotes.