15.4.7. GREEN COMPUTING OR GREEN IT OR ICT SUSTAINABILITY

Definition: "the study and practice of designing, manufacturing, using, and disposing of computers, servers, and associated subsystems—such as monitors, printers, storage devices, and networking and communications systems — efficiently and effectively with minimal or no impact on the environment.”

Green computing refers to the methods and practices related to every stage of a computing device's life cycle, from its design and manufacturing to its usage and disposal. It emphasizes efficiency and effectiveness with a focus on minimizing environmental impact. This means seeking ways to create technology that does not harm the planet, aiming for sustainable practices.

Think of green computing like driving a fuel-efficient car. Just as a fuel-efficient car reduces gas consumption and pollution, green computing aims to create and use technology in ways that reduce waste and energy use to protect the environment.

The primary objective of such a program is to account for the triple bottom line (or "People, Planet, Profit").

The triple bottom line underscores three key areas: social responsibility, environmental stewardship, and economic viability. In green computing, it means ensuring that practices fairly benefit people, protect the planet, and remain profitable. This balance is crucial because it addresses the challenges of sustainability where ecological concerns must be met without sacrificing economic growth.

Imagine a business that seeks to be mindful of its community (People), reduces its carbon footprint (Planet), and remains profitable (Profit). For example, a company that produces solar panels prioritizes sustainable energy sources while still generating income, creating a win-win situation.

The goals are similar to green chemistry, namely to reduce the use of hazardous materials; maximize energy efficiency during the product's lifetime; and promote recyclability or biodegradability of defunct products and factory waste.

Green computing shares similar aims with green chemistry, focusing on minimizing harmful materials and maximizing energy efficiency throughout a product's life. This means selecting safer, less toxic substances in the manufacturing process, designing products that consume less energy while in use, and creating items that can either be recycled or broken down naturally after they are no longer useful.

Consider a biodegradable trash bag made from plant-based materials. Just as this bag breaks down naturally and doesn’t harm the environment, green computing seeks to develop technologies that are safe for the earth both during and after their use.

The Green Electronics Council offers the Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) to assist in the purchase of "green" computing systems.

EPEAT is an online tool that helps consumers, businesses, and institutions choose environmentally preferable computers and other electronic equipment. It provides a comprehensive set of criteria to assess the environmental impact of various technology products, allowing buyers to make informed, eco-friendly purchasing decisions.

Think of EPEAT like a label on a food item that indicates it is organic or non-GMO. Just as shoppers can choose healthier options based on labels, EPEAT helps people select electronics with lower environmental impacts, helping them make greener choices.

Climate Savers Computing Initiative (CSCI) is an effort to reduce the electric power consumption of PCs in active and inactive states.

The CSCI is a collaborative initiative that encourages companies to reduce their energy consumption from computers and data centers. It provides guidelines on how to lower energy use when PCs are both in use and when they are idle, thus helping organizations to save money and lessen their environmental footprint.

Think about an appliance like a refrigerator that uses energy even when you're not around. By encouraging energy-efficient practices similar to unplugging unused appliances, CSCI helps companies ensure their computing systems also use energy wisely, contributing to a larger effort in fighting climate change.

So why should a company promote green, or energy efficient computing? • Climate Change: First and foremost, conclusive research shows that CO2 and other emissions are causing global climate and environmental damage • Savings: Green computing can lead to serious cost savings over time. • Reliability of Power: Energy efficient systems helps ensure healthy power systems. Also, more companies are generating more of their own electricity, which further motivates them to keep power consumption low. • Computing Power Consumption has Reached a Critical Point: Data centers have run out of usable power and cooling due to high densities.

There are several compelling reasons for companies to adopt green computing practices. Addressing climate change is critical to mitigate environmental damage caused by greenhouse gas emissions. By implementing energy-efficient practices, companies can also realize significant savings in energy costs. Moreover, energy-efficient systems contribute to a more stable power infrastructure, as they require less energy overall. Given the growing power demands from data centers, making efforts to promote green computing is essential not only for sustainability but also for business continuity.

Imagine a household that decides to switch to energy-efficient lighting. Not only does the family save money on electricity bills, but they also contribute less to overall energy demand. Similarly, by adopting green computing, businesses can reduce costs while minimizing their impact on the planet.

Here are some steps that can be taken: • Power-down the CPU and all peripherals during extended periods of inactivity. • Try to do computer-related tasks during contiguous, intensive blocks of time, leaving hardware off at other times. • Power-up and power-down energy-intensive peripherals such as laser printers according to need. • Use liquid-crystal-display (LCD) monitors rather than cathode-ray-tube (CRT) monitors. • Use notebook computers rather than desktop computers whenever possible. • Use the power-management features to turn off hard drives and displays after several minutes of inactivity. • Minimize the use of paper and properly recycle waste paper. • Dispose of e-waste according to federal, state and local regulations. • Employ alternative energy sources for computing workstations, servers, networks and data centers.

To incorporate green computing, companies can follow several practical steps. This includes powering down computer equipment when not in use, completing tasks in focused chunks to avoid unnecessary energy use, and upgrading to energy-efficient technologies such as LCD monitors. Additionally, reducing paper usage and properly recycling electronic waste are important actions. By taking these steps, organizations can significantly reduce their overall energy consumption and environmental impact.

Much like how someone might unplug appliances when not in use to save electricity, businesses can adopt similar practices with their computer systems. By being conscious of how and when they use technology, they can save energy and contribute to a healthier environment, just as an environmentally aware household would.

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