Technology is a powerful force for innovation, progress, and prosperity, but it also has a significant environmental impact. Technology consumes a lot of energy and resources, generates a lot of waste and emissions, and contributes to climate change and other environmental problems. According to a report by the International Energy Agency, the global information and communication technology (ICT) sector accounted for about 3.6% of total final electricity demand and 1.4% of global carbon dioxide emissions in 2019. These numbers are expected to grow as technology becomes more pervasive and ubiquitous in our lives.
However, technology can also be part of the solution, not just the problem. Technology can help us achieve sustainability, which is the balance between meeting our current needs and preserving the environment for future generations. Technology can enable us to reduce, reuse, and recycle our energy and resources, and to create and adopt cleaner and greener alternatives. Technology can also empower us to monitor and measure our environmental impact, and to innovate and collaborate for positive change.
One of the ways that technology can help us achieve sustainability is through green computing, which is the practice of designing, using, and disposing of computers and related devices in an environmentally friendly manner. Green computing aims to minimize the negative effects of technology on the environment, and to maximize its positive effects. Green computing can be applied to various aspects of technology, such as:
- Hardware: Green computing can involve choosing and using hardware that is energy-efficient, durable, and recyclable, and that uses less harmful materials and components. For example, green computing can involve using laptops or tablets instead of desktops, using LED or LCD monitors instead of CRT monitors, using solid-state drives instead of hard disk drives, and using biodegradable or renewable materials for casings and packaging.
- Software: Green computing can involve developing and using software that is optimized, reliable, and secure, and that reduces the energy and resource consumption of hardware. For example, green computing can involve using cloud computing instead of on-premise servers, using virtualization instead of physical machines, using low-code or no-code platforms instead of traditional programming languages, and using artificial intelligence or machine learning instead of manual processes.
- Data: Green computing can involve collecting, storing, processing, and transmitting data in a way that minimizes the energy and resource consumption of hardware and software, and that protects the privacy and security of data. For example, green computing can involve using data compression, encryption, and deduplication techniques, using edge computing instead of centralized computing, using blockchain or distributed ledger technology instead of centralized databases, and using data analytics or visualization tools instead of paper reports.
- Practices: Green computing can involve adopting and implementing practices that promote and support the environmental goals and values of technology users and providers. For example, green computing can involve setting and following green policies and standards, conducting and reporting green audits and assessments, providing and participating in green education and training, and engaging and collaborating with green stakeholders and communities.
Green computing can bring many benefits, not only for the environment, but also for the economy and society. Green computing can help us save energy and resources, reduce costs and waste, improve performance and quality, enhance reputation and trust, and create new opportunities and markets. Green computing can also help us address some of the global challenges and opportunities that we face, such as:
- Climate change: Green computing can help us mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change, such as rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and sea level rise. Green computing can help us reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, increase our renewable energy sources, and improve our resilience and adaptation capabilities.
- Circular economy: Green computing can help us transition from a linear economy, where we take, make, and dispose of products and services, to a circular economy, where we keep products and materials in use, regenerate natural systems, and design out waste and pollution. Green computing can help us extend the lifespan and value of our products and services, reuse and repurpose our products and materials, and recycle and recover our products and materials.
- Digital inclusion: Green computing can help us ensure that everyone has access to and can benefit from technology, regardless of their location, income, education, or ability. Green computing can help us bridge the digital divide, enhance the digital literacy and skills, and promote the digital rights and responsibilities of people and communities.