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technology and the environment – Green IT
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
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Caring for the environment and taking positive steps to protect it is a becoming more important than ever. Green IT is a popular term to encompass many aspects of environmental issues that surround and can be addressed by the Information Technology industry (and those who make use of IT). Taking just a few small steps can make a huge improvement – things like saving energy, reducing waste and making the most effective use of what we have available can all help improve and protect the environment.
Whilst looking into our IT operation I found we were already performing a number of green IT related tasks including:
- Virtualisation
Server Virtualisation reduces the power requirements of servers and also maximises the use of existing equipment - Multifunction Devices
Combined scanning and faxing equpment mean less equipment required - Enable Power Management
Desktop computers can be placed into stand by modes to reduce power requirements – we can also turn on the power management features of desktop PCs - Replace old CRT screens with LCD screens
Newer screens take up much less energy (as well as take up less desk space) - Turn off screens
Turn off screens and other equipment at night and at times when they are likely to be unused - Thin Clients
Replacing desktop PC’s with thin clients (especially the fanless ones) can reduce power requirements - Recycle toner and ink cartridges
So they can be remanufactured and refilled - Dispose of redundant and old equipment safely
Registered companies can collect and dispose (or reuse) equipment safely
WEEE: Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment - Encourage users to print less often
Especially when on-screen alternatives are available
There are many other things that can be done including a specific green IT policy to complement any existing environmental policies in place. I will be looking more into green computing over the next few months to see what other things we can do to make our technology operation greener.
Wiki have an overview of Green Computing at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_computing
Additional resources discussing Green IT
- Writing ‘Green IT’ at the top of the business agenda | The Register
- ITPro: News: UK businesses aware of Green IT potential
- User demand is key to green IT uptake – 27 Mar 2008 – Computing
- Is green IT an illusion? | 12 Sep 2007 | ComputerWeekly.com
- The benefits of green IT – 20 Sep 2007 – Computing
- 2008 European Green IT Summit & Awards
- Green IT | Reg Whitepapers
- Green IT 08 – Events on ZDNet UK
- IT chiefs need more incentive to go green – ZDNet.co.uk
- How green is your IT? – 11 Oct 2007 – IT Week
Jason Slater is an independent technologist and blogger.
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