Whenever we think about the carbon footprint, the thing that comes in mind first is  vehicles, the businesses and companies causing pollution to the environment But did we ever thought about the carbon footprint caused when we watch our favourite show on Netflix, the  Zoom meeting or using any electronic devices for our ease? The tech industries and field of computation have been focusing on building smaller, faster and more powerful devices and its peripherals but only few have considered their overall environmental impact.

Green computing is the environmentally  responsible and eco friendly  use of the computer and its resources. The study of designing, engineering, manufacturing, using, disposing of computing devices in a way that reduce their environmental impact is said as green computing. It is sometimes referred as green technology or green IT. This technology is beneficial as it:

1. Reduces the energy consumption of    computing resources during peak operation.

2. Saves energy during idle operation

3. Reduces computing waste

4. Uses eco friendly effects of computer system

5. It aims to make the computer process more eco friendly

6. Reduces the use of papers

7. Designing good algorithms for better computer’s efficiency.

One of the leading examples for initiatives taken for green computing is VIA Technology, a Taiwanese company that manufacture motherboard chipset. It focuses on carbon free computing, solar computing (using solar cells that are non polluting, silent and highly reliable), Lead free and RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directives) Computing, Energy efficient computing. These aspects are undertaken in order to reduce the carbon footprint that otherwise occur during the manufacture of the computing devices.

1. Green use : reducing power usage of computer and using them in eco friendly manner

2. Green disposal: recycling and reusing existing equipment

3. Green design: energy efficient and effective designing

4. Green manufacturing: use of biodegradable materials during manufacturing 

The energy-intensive manufacturing of computer part can be minimized by manufacturing process more energy efficient. The power sucking display can be replaced with green light displays made of OLEDs, or organic light-emitting diodes. Use of toxic materials like lead can be replaced by silver and copper making recycling of computers more effective by recycling computer parts separately with an option of reuse and resale. Replacing petroleum-filled plastic with bio plastics: plant-based polymers which require less oil and energy to produce in comparison to traditional plastics with a challenge to keep these bio plastic computers cool. In this way green computing device/ computer can be developed.

Recyclable paper laptop, IMEC laptops ( can be easily powered using 2 solar cells, LOOP- eco-friendly desktop computer, EVO PC concepts, Igglu modular PC concept, Solar Laptop Concepts are some latest design and ideas for the development of green computing devices.

Recyclable paper laptop

IMEC laptop

 

LOOP- eco-friendly desktop computer

Igglu modular PC concep

Solar laptop Concept

The technology and innovation have been developing at faster rate increasing the usages of these devices. There are only few such businesses that don’t use computers and other electronic devices. They have to store their data, compute the account, keep records and many more. The forensic labs use these devices in DNA profiling, fingerprinting, etc. And many people use this device for their entertainment purpose. With the increasing demand of such devices, the use of world’s energy is also increasing. Currently, the IT industry is responsible for 3% of world energy consumption which is supposed to be double by 2030. So, the concept of green computing suits best for reducing the energy usage by the manufacture of these devices.

This eco friendly  approach is one of the better way to achieve better future where their is less carbon footprint,  less energy consumption .