Go Green
Green Computing: Understanding Your Responsibilities through Three Approaches
Simply put, your responsibilities should not merely focus on making use of solar panels or on building a home garden in your backyards. One topic you need to bear in mind is green computing.
Green Computing: Understanding Your Responsibilities through Three Approaches
Going green is not merely about what you do directly to the environment, meaning, being eco friendly is not just about pushing efforts that pertain to the environment. Simply put, your responsibilities should not merely focus on making use of solar panels or on building a home garden in your backyards. One topic you need to bear in mind is green computing.
Green computing increases your awareness about how you should responsibly use your computers, whether in your homes or in your offices. Why is this necessary? Well, it is because more homes and companies rely upon these technological gadgets without actually being conscious about proper utilization of these items. To help you take the right path, you should be versed with three of the most reliable approaches to handle your computing systems.
First approach – Power management for green computing
Just like in powering up your appliances in your homes, your PC should also follow a stricter rule when it comes to power management. In this manner, you will be assured that you will attain the real objectives of green computing. Under this approach, the following components should be regarded:
• Power supply. The 70%-75% range in computer power supply efficiency is good enough. However, you may go higher than that. Now Energy Star certified computers should pass an 80% standard in energy efficiency. This is a better green computing option.
• Storage. From the bulkier and larger floppy drives you know of, manufacturers have now introduced the thinner versions. In fact, netbooks have eliminated disk drives in the system. When speaking of storage, the thinner and the smaller the disk drive is, the better it is for green options.
• Video card. It is best to have no video card if you really eye to have a computing gadget with energy-efficient means. In association with this, always look for a display that has low power and low 3D performance. The GPU – or the graphics processing unit – should be chosen according to performance per watt or also known as average wattage.
• Display. Traditionally, computers have the so-called LCD monitors that make use of fluorescent light bulbs. A green computing option is now seen in the better display version or those that have light emitting diodes known as LEDs. This is said to reduce the electricity consumption used up by your monitors.
Second Approach – Computer or electronic waste recycling
Apart from power management, recycling is also recommended as a green computing alternative. The following things may be done in consonance with this approach. Remember that all of these things are about computers.
• The entire computer system. There are many ways to recycle your entire PC system that you once owned. You may send it off to charity provided it passes the donation standards of the said organization. Charitable organizations are now stricter in accepting such donations because of the lead, chromium and mercury contents of computers. You may opt to send it off to other countries that have less strict standards and would surely accept your donation. Make sure you follow regulations.
• Computer parts. A lot of these components may be disposed of properly as long as you have made use of them according to standards. Surplus components are now accepted in a lot of stores but only if you sell items that pass the requirements of the company.
• Other computer supplies. You will certainly make use of batteries, printer cartridges and paper. These are recyclable materials. Printer cartridges, for instance, may be refilled by online computer shops or by local stores near you. When it comes to paper usage, keep those that you have used but did not dispose. These items will serve their green computing purposes later on.
Third approach – Telecommuting concept in green computing
Telecommuting, also known as teleconferencing, is a highly appreciated move in eco friendly computing. You may not actually see the significance of such an option but with the following benefits, you will understand why it is part of the approach to greening your computers.
• Lesser travel. Teleconferences are made in order for business partners from across the globe to lessen travel expenses. This is important in green computing because lessening the travel means lesser gas emissions to the environment.
• Lower overhead costs for the office. Since there is no need to conduct actual conferences or meetings inside the office, lesser expenses are seen particularly those that pertain to lighting, heating systems or air conditioning functions.
These three approaches in green computing are relevant in all parts of the globe. As soon as all of you realize the importance of these concepts, you will surely make the world a better place to live in. Now is the time for you to go green if you want to save the environment for the people who will come after you. Do this for yourself now and for your successors later on.
