Business Information Technology

Green Information Technology

Introduction

Everyone knows how much Information Technology is important. Today, no work and no business are possible without it. Almost everybody uses computer every day for long hours. The problem is that they don’t know how much energy they use and waste. Green IT/computing can increase people’s knowledge and help to save the planet.

First, in this paper, I’m going to define Green Information Technology and trying to understand its goals. Then, I want to emphasize, through some observations and significant figures, why it’s important to head for a Green computing way. Afterwards, I’m going to focus on the origin of green IT through the definition, the history and the results of the Energy Star Label. Finally, I’m going to explain the four makes which lead to an entire Green IT. And of course, I’m going to find some solutions that everybody can use.

What’s Green Information Technology?

Definition:

Also called Green Computing, Green IT describes the study and practice of designing, manufacturing, using and disposing of computer and all the related resources in an efficient way with minimal and even no impact on the environment. It refers to environmentally sustainable computing or IT. This practice tries to improve the performance and the use of systems like monitors, storage devices and networking, printers and communication systems. [1]

Goals:

Of course green IT has some specifics goals. Firstly, Green IT wants to reduce resource consumption, then improve the energy performance of computer production tools, but also reduce the use of hazardous materials, maximize energy efficiency during the product’s life time and finally promote the recycling of out-of-date products and factory waste.[2]

Why do we need Green IT?

Before doing Green IT, we have to understand the reasons for which it’s important to steer for an ecologic use of computers and their systems.