Green Technology

Green technology and computers: How to reduce the environmental impact of your devices

Computers and mobile devices have become essential tools for work, education, entertainment, and communication in our modern society. However, they also have a significant environmental impact, from the manufacturing of their components to the consumption of their energy to the disposal of their waste. 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 2019¹. These numbers are expected to increase as the demand for computing devices and services grows.

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the environmental impact of your devices and contribute to the green technology movement. Green technology, also known as greentech or green IT, is the environmentally conscious design, manufacturing, use and disposal of computers and related technologies in a manner that reduces carbon emissions and energy consumption, thereby minimizing environmental impact². Here are some tips on how you can practice green technology with your computers and mobile devices:

• Choose energy-efficient devices: When buying a new computer or mobile device, look for energy-efficient models that have low power consumption and high performance. You can check the Energy Star rating or the EPEAT certification of the device to compare its environmental performance with other products³. You can also opt for devices that use renewable energy sources, such as solar-powered laptops or chargers.
• Use power-saving settings: When using your computer or mobile device, adjust the power-saving settings to optimize its battery life and reduce its energy usage. You can lower the brightness of your screen, turn off the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth when not needed, close unused apps or tabs, and enable sleep or hibernate mode when not in use. You can also use smart power strips or timers to automatically turn off your devices or chargers when they are fully charged or not in use.
• Recycle or donate your old devices: When you no longer need your computer or mobile device, do not throw it away in the trash. Electronic waste contains hazardous materials that can pollute the environment and harm human health if not properly disposed of. Instead, you can recycle or donate your old devices to certified e-waste management programs or organizations that can reuse or refurbish them for other purposes. You can also sell your old devices to second-hand markets or trade them in for newer models.
• Support green computing initiatives: You can also support green technology by participating in green computing initiatives that aim to reduce the environmental impact of computing. For example, you can join cloud computing services that offer shared resources and storage over the internet, reducing the need for physical servers and hardware. You can also use green web hosting services that run on renewable energy sources or offset their carbon emissions. You can also support green software development practices that optimize code efficiency and performance, reducing the computing resources and energy required to run applications.

By following these tips, you can practice green technology with your computers and mobile devices and help protect the environment. Green technology is not only good for the planet but also good for your wallet, as it can save you money on energy bills and maintenance costs. Green technology is also good for your productivity, as it can improve your device performance and reliability. Green technology is a win-win situation for everyone.