When was the last time you backed up your data? If that question gives you a sinking feeling - don't worry, you're not the only one!

This week we talk about how, why and where to back-up. Drawing on stories from our Restart Parties, as well as your contributions to our Twitter poll, we explore what it is about storage that people find so daunting, and how to avoid losing data forever.

First, we look at the semantics of 'the cloud' itself. With a growing sense that data is immaterial, it is easy to lose sight of the 'thingness' of the internet. But as 'natural' as this cloud may sound, it has its own carbon footprint. The annual Greenpeace report 'Clicking Green' reveals that the IT sector takes up 7% of global energy usage, and this is rapidly growing.

So what's the safest, surest, greenest way to avoid losing data? We compare Apple and Android solutions for smartphone storage, and take a look at some apps which claim to do the job.

Happily, it seems that Apple and Google are working towards greener, cleaner data services. But it remains to be seen whether the clean energy sector can keep up with the ever growing world of data.

Links to things we discussed:

Greenpeace report 'Clicking Clean' - https://techcrunch.com/2017/01/10/apple-facebook-and-google-top-greenpeaces-clean-energy-report/

Ars Technica: The case for using iTunes to back up your phone - http://arstechnica.co.uk/apple/2016/02/the-case-for-using-itunes-not-icloud-to-back-up-your-iphone/

Huffington Post: How to prevent losing data - http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2016/03/31/how-to-prevent-losing-personal-data-on-your-digital-devices/

Edelmen.com: Why people don't trust the cloud - http://www.edelman.com/post/clouds-gather-tech-trust-horizon/

[Feature Image by Flickr user Joe Shlabotnik]