Green Computing: The Environmental Impact of Desktop Computing

Submitted by, D.Anusha B.Tech,ECE(III yr) Admission No:07A71A0921

What is Green Computing?

Green computing is the study and practice of using computing resources efficiently. It is the environmentally responsible use of computers and related resources in order to reduce power and environmental waste. Such practices include the implementation of energyefficient central processing units (CPUs), servers and peripherals as well as reduced resource consumption and proper disposal of electronic waste

Green Computing Why?

Growing public environmental awareness Increasing impacts on environmental and human health Corporate social responsibility

GREEN COMPUTING ORIGINS

In 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched Energy Star, a voluntary labeling program, designed to promote and recognize energy-efficiency in monitors, climate control equipment, and other technologies The term "green computing" was probably coined shortly after the Energy Star program began, and generally referred to power consumption

Manufacturing Fossil Fuels

Average desktop computer with monitor requires 10 times its weight in chemicals and fossil fuels to produce
240 kg of fossil fuel for CRT monitor

266 kg of fossil fuel for LCD monitor

Manufacturing-Monitors

CRT lead and zinc leachate mean monitors are hazardous waste Lead: bioavailable in soil - can attack proteins and DNA, as well as interfere with nervous system function Liquid crystals polycyclic or halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, 588 different compounds

Manufacturing Other Toxins

PBDE similar structures to PCB and DDT Bioavailable, environmentally persistent, biomagnifies in blood, fatty and liver tissue Extraction impacts refining of petroleum for energy and plastic, mining and smelting of metals

Solvents in microchip fabrication hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, arsenic, benzene and hexavalent chromium

Use Environmental Impacts

Electricity consumption for desktops and peripherals 120W CRT+CPU; more for older machines

Use Environmental Impacts

Fossil fuel power Greenhouse gas emissions, mercury atmospheric pollution, SOX and NOX lead to acid rain and smog formation Nuclear power difficulties with long term management of radioactive wastes

Disposal Electronic Waste

Short product life expectancy (2-4 years) Same toxins in manufacturing process can cause environmental contamination

Human health risks

Lead, barium, chromium, CNS disruptors etc. Human rights problems Exporting harm

E-waste Impacts in China

Manufacturing Good News

Greener technology PBDE-free plastic lead-free soldering fewer toxic solvents Plastics labelled with recycling codes Less material used

Use Good News

New technology often more energy efficient Laptop 15W total LCD system: 80W total CRT system: down to 120W from 270W

Energy saver features are now standard

Waste Good News

Recycling Metal recovery Semi-precious metal recovery

Best Practice - Disposal

E-waste is divided into two separate streams, CRT monitors and all other electronic equipment General e-waste is sent to Production Works where it is dismantled and redistributed to scrap companies and recyclers CRT monitors sent to an environment friendly company

Recommendations Disposal
Maintain current program, plus:

Obtain suitable space for storage of ewaste and monitors Develop and implement methodology for tracking tonnage diverted from landfill Formalize reuse and reallocation procedures and policies

Best Practices Energy Conservation

Implementing power management options on machines Reducing the overall on time of the system as a whole Reducing the overall on time of the monitor in particular

Energy Conservation Strategies

Survey current computer power management policies and practices across college campuses Coordinate participation of IT personnel in an energy reduction plan Develop configuration standards, with IT personnel, to reduce energy consumption of computers

GREEN COMPUTING YOUR TURN

Enable power management on your computer. Turn off your screensaver Turn off your computer at nights n on weekends Turn off printers, copiers, scanners and peripherals when not in use Dont turn equipment on in the morning until u need it

GREEN COMPUTING YOUR TURN

Buying equipment Reduce paper use Reduce no of cds/dvds u use Recycle ink jet printer cartridges,cell phones,rechargeable batteries

GREEN COMPUTINGCORPORATE STEPS

VIA Technologies, a Taiwanese company that manufactures motherboard chipsets, CPUs, and other computer hardware, introduced its initiative for "green computing" in 2001. With this green vision, the company has been focusing on power efficiency throughout the design and manufacturing process of its products Few more companies include IBM, Microsoft, Dell, Intel,HP Google is an excellent example of what can be accomplished at corporate level.

Conclusion
Its Time To Think About Our Earth..