Green IT GapFill

We are consuming more resources and  boatsoceansenergysunlight than ever before, which is causing  spaceSunsolarclimate change.

About  halfa quartera third100% of the CO₂ generated by IT is generated by the equipment in our homes and offices. The rest is used by the  transportscannersdata centresprinters and the distribution networks. Computers are responsible for generating 14% of the world’s CO₂ emissions through the  windwaterelectricitysolar used to power them – the world still uses fossil fuels such as gas and coal for generation.

One way to reduce our  carbon footprintpaper usesand footprintwater use is to switch off equipment when not in use. Another is to purchase equipment with high  data useduplexingenergy consumptionefficiency, meaning that the same processing or service is provided but with reduced power consumption. Some companies are locating data centres in cold climates to reduce the need for  air conditioningheatingdata transmissionlighting, and use renewable electricity where possible.

But we must also consider other environmental factors across the entire product  footprintuse stagesafety sheetlife cycle, which includes the mining of raw materials, transportation, manufacture, use and disposal. Old IT equipment contains toxic materials such as the heavy metal  leadoxygenheliumsteel from solder and old CRT monitors and mercury from old flat screens (CCFL backlights). We must reuse and  landfillshredrecycledestroy all of our equipment as far as possible.

One way that technology companies can make IT greener (more sustainable) is through supporting older hardware for longer, reducing built-in  usefootprintobsolescencedestruction which means that we need to buy new devices less often. One thing that needs to change is sending waste electricals off to countries in Africa such as  GhanaIndiaEgyptLibya, where they are not always recycled properly – toxins from burning cables cause local pollution and health effects.

Green IT helps us and the planet. For example, using low-powered appliances reduces our  heatinggaselectricitywater bills. In some countries, the  customersmanufacturersretailerscouncils must offer to take back electronics, printer cartridges and batteries from the consumer for proper disposal.