Question

Evening all,

I'd like to get a detailed, clear, and well articulated answer to the below question. Please use correct english and grammar and proof-read your response. Please provide at least 2 detailed pages (double spaced), and provide at least one example and an abstract (executive summary) to start things off. PLEASE DO NOT COPY (PLAGIARISM) OFF THE INTERNET.

Green computing is the environmentally responsible and eco-friendly use of computers and their resources. In broader terms, it is also defined as the study of designing, manufacturing/engineering, using and disposing of computing devices in a way that reduces their environmental impact.

Question for essay: What initiatives could an organization do for green computing

Note: PLEASE USE CORRECT ENGLISH. No English as a 2nd language!! No disrespect, but a lot of you Indian students have terrible grammar.

Answer 1

Green computers initiative is not all about saving money, power sources but most importantly about our planet, our planet’s welfare. With the increasing movements and initiatives towards going green, the response of the public and private sectors is overwhelming as well. They are now becoming open-minded in facing the issue and even companies are doing their part by manufacturing green products and services. There are already green computers available in the market that comes with biodegradable peripherals. And this only proves that green computers
initiatives are doing a great job.

Eco-friendly computers, keyboards, flat-panel monitors and mice are now in mass production and is gradually dominating the market and affecting the consumer’s lives. With the innovative designs of green computers and their peripherals—that can be traced back for more the 15 years now—the short life cycle and disposable nature of computers and its peripherals have been addressed well. Green computer initiatives have already “warned” computer manufacturers that use toxic materials and heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and mercury and it turned out that many of these companies are also interested in such endeavor. As a result, the modular design of computers which are considered to be ascetically brilliant and easily upgradeable, have been built. The modular
design of green computers means the computer is upgradable, recyclable, reusable, and can be replaced by modern parts that bear the same qualities. The life span of a computer with modular design, together with its peripherals, is 7-10 years which is thrice the life span of an average computer. Also, another interesting fact about modular-designed computers is that: it can be buried in the ground and after three years or so, they will go back to the soil. And this only shows that zero waste product management is just achieved.

Some of the initiatives are:-

1. Buy "Energy Star" labeled monitors, desktops, laptops, and printers . The "Energy Star" devices can be programmed to "power-down" to a low power state when they are not in use, helping you save energy and run cooler which helps them last even longer. The Energy Star specification for computers was revised on October 20, 2006 and goes into effect July 20, 2007. The specification includes new performance requirements to qualify for the Energy Star rating for desktop and notebook computers, workstations, integrated computers, desktop-derived servers and game consoles

2. Put laptops in "sleep" mode when not in use. The EPA has estimated that this reduces their energy use by 60 to 70 percent – and ultimately could save enough electricity each year to power Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, cut electric bills by $2 billion, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by the equivalent of 5 million cars.

3. Even better, turn OFF computers and other equipment when not in use. Despite the debate over whether it's better for your computer to be left on or shut off, the fact is it's better for the environment to shut it off. Trust me, your computer can handle it just fine; in fact, computers were designed to be turned off and back on!

4. E-cycle used computer equipment. Find a recycler in your area. Also, Staples, the office supply retailer, has now started a recycling program. They will accept any brands of used desktop and notebook computers, monitors, printers, fax machines and all-in-one devices with a fee of $10. Smaller items like keyboards, mice and speakers are free to drop off.

5. Buy the new "Smart Strip" power strip. The Smart Strip actually senses how much power your computer peripherals use. And when the Smart Strip senses that you've turned your computer off, it automatically shuts off your peripherals, too, preventing them from drawing an idle current, which is the current drawn even after equipment is shut off.

6. Avoid phantom power from connected devices. When plugged in, a computer and other electronic devices still consume energy. You could save as much as 10% on your energy bill simply by unplugging such devices when they are not being used. To make this easier, buy a power strip, and plug your computer and its peripherals into that power strip, and shut off the strip when you are not using your computer.

7. Print smarter!. You can save money and the environment when printing by doing the following:

• Consider using the OneCard printers on campus rather than purchasing and maintaining your own printer.
• If you do purchase a printer, ensure that it supports duplex printing and that it is networkable, so one printer can serve all the computers in your home or office.
• Use recycled paper.
• Don't leave your printer on when you're not printing.
• Use the electronic print preview to avoid wasted paper. To get there, often go to the File menu, then choose Print Preview.
• Print double-sided.
• Print draft copies when appropriate; these use less ink, and are still readable.
• Re-use hardcopies (i.e., printouts) with lots of blank space as scrap paper for notes.
• Of course, recycle your paper, as opposed to throwing it out.