24-11-2012, 01:16 PM
Green Computing- Embrace a Secure Future
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ABSTRACT
ICT has now become an important department for the success of
any organisation. Most of the businesses rely on the many benefits
computers provide by using computing resources to perform a
multitude of tasks, including work, research, teaching and
learning. However the IT department is usually always the
one department that uses the most amount of power which in
turn is an excessive amount of overhead for a business as
well as a source for toxic waste. Making IT “Green” can not
only save money but help save our world by making it a better
place through reducing and/or eliminating wasteful practices
and using non- toxic materials.
While using ICT, many institutions are a source for excessive
power use, excessive spending of resources, and uses many toxic
materials. All of these items are bad practices and converting
a company’s IT department to a more streamlined green concept
is far more cost effective as well as better use of resources.
This paper examines the need and provides a guideline
which highlights our responsibilities as computer users and
encourages us to take actions that maximize the usefulness of
these amazing tools while minimizing the negative consequences
that may occur during their use.
INTRODUCTION
What is Green Computing?
Green computing or green IT, refers to environmentally
sustainable computing or IT. It is the study and practice of
designing, manufacturing, using, and disposing of ICT —
efficiently and effectively with minimal or no impact on the
environment. Green IT also strives to achieve economic viability
and improved system performance and use, while abiding by our
social and ethical responsibilities. Thus, green IT includes the
dimensions of environmental sustainability, the economics of
energy efficiency, and the total cost of ownership, which includes
the cost of disposal and recycling..[8] It is important to understand
the need of the study of green computing. It is a tool by which
global warming can be control and reduce. The Global surface
temperature increased by 0.74 ± 0.18 °C (1.33 ± 0.32 °F) during
the 100 years ending in 2005. Most conspicuously, according to
the latest IPCC report the global surface temperature will likely to
rise a further 1.1 to 6.4 °C (2.0 to 11.5 °F) during the twenty-first
century.[3]
NEED OF GREEN COMPUTING
In IT department, it is observed that the people are unaware of the
consequences of mishandling. It is observed that most of the
computer energy is often wasteful. This is because we leave the
computer ON even when it is not in use. The CPU and fan
consume power; screen savers consume power even when the
system is not in use. Insufficient power and cooling capacities can
also results in loss of energy. It is observed that most of the data
centers don’t have sufficient cooling capacities. This results in
environment pollution. This could be because of defects in
Manufacturing techniques, packaging, disposal of computers and
components. Another effect is because of toxicity. There are toxic
chemicals used in the manufacturing of computers and
components which can enter the food chain and water. According
to one source, “Information Technology energy demand
is growing 12 times faster than the overall demand for energy”
and “Data centres emit over 150 metric tons of CO2 per year, and
the volume is increasing rapidly. (As a point of reference, a
car produces 18 pounds of CO2 for every gallon of gasoline it
uses.)”
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
Between 2000 and 2010, the use of computer in business
has increased significantly. Computers, monitors and printers
used by staff may typically consume more than 150 watts, and
a good portion of the energy consumed ends up wasted due to
equipment left on when not in use. According to the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 30 to 40% of personal
computers and printers are kept on during the night and on
weekends and are left to idle as much as much as 90% of the
time during the work day.[9]
USING YOUR COMPUTER
Power Management
According to EPA surveys, about 44% of all PC users do not have
or do not use power-management software. For those who
do have the software installed and enabled, it is still more
energy efficient to shut down because computers and monitors
continue to draw power even when sleeping. Some even draw
power when completely shut down, so consider plugging all
peripherals into one power strip/surge protector and turn
that off when the computer is not in use.
Of course, it is not practical for everyone to shut down their
computers when not in use. The ideal approach is to use the
power management system settings to meet your specific
needs. Turning on power management isn’t very difficult, but
some users may be confused about what the various options
mean.
CONCLUSION
Weare not passive spectators, but active contestants in the drama
of our existence. Weneed to take responsibility for the kind of life
we create for ourselves- Nathaniel Branden, Ph.D.[17]
Make your entire organisation Green in every way possible.
Understand the life cycle of IT products. Reduce as much paper as
possible and recycle it when you can. Recycle the water the
organisation uses by collecting rain water and filter it for
sinks and drinking fountains, take drain water from sinks and
water fountains and use the grey water for flushing the
toilets. Encourage your employees to carpool, ride bicycles, or
use any other mass transit transportation. A green roof can
be a good location for a break area for employees. These are but
a few small ideas you can use to make your business more
Green which is good for the Environment and the stockholders.
Let’s start working on it and embrace the future.