An Eco-Friendly Guide to Green Computing

Green computing means computers and their use are both environmentally friendly and energy efficient. Beginning in 2006 Dell and Hewlett Packard began compiling data on EPEAT or the Electronics Products Environmental Assessment Tool. This gives administrations and individuals a way to know what computing products meet what standards thereby helping them go green. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) have published numerous articles outlining energy efficient ways to advance query processing, data gathering, routing and other energy consuming activities performed by servers and desktop computers. What's more, in the United States' Environmental Protection Agency, has announced the Government recognizes 'voluntary manufacturing standards' in the production of Green Computing. This is relatively recent development and marks the trend to environmentally friendly computing.

Reasons to go Green:

-According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency an average computer and laser printer uses $165 per year and/or 2100 Kilowatt hours per year.
-Business computing centers such as those at Lehman Brothers have increase efficiency by 25% by going green. Businesses see the potential both financially and in terms of environmental clout.
-Going green can reduce business expenses and personal energy consumer costs.
-Computers contain potentially hazardous materials such as copper and lead. Recycling old computers properly instead of dumping them can prevent environmental and human toxicity.
-Recycling of old computers may allow individuals and businesses to gain extra funds to purchase additional energy star rated computers.
-Helping to protect the environment is responsible and environmentally conscious.

Other Ways to go Green:

In the home and office green computing can also be promoted through means other than manufacturing standards. While purchasing computers that meet green computing standards is helpful, it is not the only thing that can be done to use less energy while operating computers.

-'Virtualization' of servers allows businesses to multiply the usefulness of servers by allowing the machines to run multiple applications.
-Recycle computers properly by contacting computer recyclers and environmental organizations.
-Use power saving settings such as screen-saver and automatic shut off.
-Only use the computer when necessary.
-Familiarize yourself and colleagues with the computer manual and functions to better make use of energy saving components and applications.

These are just a few of the reasons and ways to go green in computing. The recognition that environmentally conscious computing is both necessary and important has begun and the manufacturing trend and social awareness is likely to advance further in the direction of environmentally friendly and energy efficient computing in the near future.

Source(s):

http://www.networkworld.com/community/?q=taxonomy/term/1146
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2006/072106-dell -hp-make-us-government.html
http://www.ieee.org/portal/site
http://www.fcw.com/article94516-05-12-06-Web
http://www.arb.ca.gov/oss/green/greencites.htm
http://scaleoutadvantage.techweb.com/news/iweek200 70406_greencomputing.jhtml