When we heal the Earth, we heal ourselves – David Orr
You might have come across the term Green Computing whenever reading through IT related literature or articles. Green computing or Green IT is the practice of designing disposable computer devices, software, and applications that brings zero effect to the environment. The purpose of the development of green computing is to reduce the use of perilous components of computers that damage the environment and optimize energy.
Green data center is another term which is relevant in this regard. As data centers hold a large amount of data which consumes more energy than an office building, so they have to be energy efficient which requires environmental friendly use of products. You need to ensure that your data center works more and consume less power and this can only happen when you exactly measure the performance of datacenter that how efficiently it is working.
Here are the factors of Green computing which will be discussed separately.
Environmental protection
We all are aware of the fact of the thinning ozone layer because of global warming which has given birth to many pollution issues and untapped diseases spreading around the globe. So, the basic aim of knowing and understanding green computing is to firstly save our natural environment and its beauty.
Recycling
To save the globe from the disastrous effects of computer devices, we need to recycle components and equipment. Most of the material in the devices is recyclable or can be used to make another product for example; CDs have gold, nickel, glass or any other material which is extracted and reused to make another device. Similarly, everything present in the battery is recyclable but all you need is to do more work to recycle e-waste.
Disposal
When your electronic product becomes unwanted or of no use, it turns into the eWaste. We find the best option to replace old gadget with the new one and the old one into the trash. Your electronic device is not just only the plastic material; it contains toxic elements which are harmful to the environment.
Energy Efficient
The advantages of green computing are not restricted to the recycling and appropriate disposal procedure; it has vast implication in order to save energy. Turn off and shut down is the easiest way to save energy but people overlook it and do not follow the basic way that is helpful in the consumption of less energy. Reducing the brightness of the monitor can also help in this regard. Putting screen saver to the monitor is not enough because they are not energy savers; you need to take care of yourself while using your electronic product.
Cost Effective
When there is less energy consumed by the server, it automatically saves the cost. It needs less electricity and the organization will eventually see the decline in the number of utility bills. That is the reason that organizations today implementing green technology to save their cost and making their products efficient in consuming less energy.
It should be kept in the mind that only computer users are not responsible for protecting the environment, green designing is one of the jobs of designers who make design and framework of electronic products. Here are some approaches to implying green computing.
Virtualization
Virtualization is the process of running two or more logical computers set over one set of physical hardware. Virtualization enables datacenter to consume less power by increasing the server’s utilization that makes the efficient use of assets.
Display
Monitors mostly use the cold-cathode fluorescent bulb to reflect light on the display, newer displays use light emitting diodes that reduces electricity consumption. Use of these types of displays can help with regard to green computing. Similarly, Use of efficient power supplies helps to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.
Telecommuting
Use of telecommuting in green technology has shown positive results such as with the help of telepresence and teleconferencing cost of traveling can be reduced by lessening the emission of carbon gases from the environment.
EPEAT
Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool is a method to evaluate the product and its impact on the environment.it has criteria to assess the product with reference to the environment and grade the product as Gold, silver or Bronze. This is one of the authentic ways for the purchase to identify if the product is environmentally friendly or not.
Earth and its climate is the blessing of nature for us and it is the responsibility of all of us to protect it from the emission of carbon footprints, greenhouse gases, and toxic materials. Green computing is the contribution of the IT industry for the protection of our environment. Each of us needs to be efficient in ewaste management to reduce, reuse and recycle unwanted electronic products.
Fiona Allen is writer at 5stardesigners for over 2 years and trained many writers who wishes to build their career in article writing too. 5stardesigners seeks to provide Custom website Design Service to both small and medium size businesses all over the world.
- Updated On June 2019: Fixed Broken links and updated minor typos.