Environment
From TheStudentWiki
Contents |
The Environment
Introduction
In the ever expanding world of technology alterations need to be made in the way that we create and use hardware in order to address the global problem of pollution. In this article we shall be discussing the effects of technology on the different aspects of our environment and the various solutions that have been devised by both Governments and Manufactures.
Eco-systems
Green computing will affect the eco-systems in a number of different ways as using computers uses a large amount of energy which produces more pollution. Which effects all the eco-systems on the planet the effects can range from general global warning i.e. polar ice caps, to the creation of power plants.
As using green energy produces less pollution because it uses recyclable energy, i.e wind, solar, tidal. It is viewed as being better from the environment. But at the moment using green energy uses a lot of space which destroys habitats in the surrounding areas. In the future this may not be the case with improvements in technology.
As more eco-systems are destroyed to make way for power plants and wind farms to power the new millennium, the inhabitants of these eco-systems are not all dieing out moving into other eco-systems and destabilising them as new animals are interdicted into these areas they may develop rivalry of food or eat all the food in the area and die out. This is less likely to happen in the country as there are still protected areas for animals to go to and large sources of food in these areas.
Diagram of Eco System - 
Overall this is a necessary sacrifice because if global warming is being coursed by pollution then there will be very few eco-systems left after the polar ice caps melt and most of Europe suffers extreme whether conditions.
Green energy is the way to lower pollution and is the only solution with bearable long term ramifications and as technology improves their will be less damage done to the habitats and there for less damage to eco-systems.
Intrested in learning more, here are some useful links:
http://ecenter.colorado.edu/energy/projects/green_computing.html
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2005/August/24080501.asp
http://www.csiro.au/resources/ps2yd.html
http://lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/greenpower/renewabletech.htm
http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/articles/publicaffairs/press/pressreleases/Energy/
Health Issues
Green computing can improve health in a number of different ways. One way is that green computing encourages using resources efficiently which will reduce the amount of pollution and radiation emitted into the atmosphere. Less radiation can prevent things like skin cancer and early death. Other effects of radiation is the loss of hair, corruption of brain cells and sickness. Green computing can help prevent all these items.
Another way is that there will be less air pollution which can cause effects like irritation to the eyes, nose and throat in the short term. People who suffer from asthma will benefit from green computing. In the long term air pollution can cause lung cancer and heart disease.
Global warming is also a large health risk. Green computing can slow the global warming process down therefore benefiting people’s health. Global warming can affect health in a variety of different ways such as human sickness and possibly even death to people and animals.
It is important that green computing is carried out all over the world to benefit people’s health and prevent illnesses and save lives.
NRDC – This is a website dedicated to protecting the earth and everything that lives on it.
Pollution Reduction
Pollution is the term used to describe the general introduction or release of pollutants (whether chemical substances waste or energy e.g. noise, heat etc.) These pollutants are causing the decline of the natural environment, some of the effects of this include among other things harm to ecosystems, deterioration of human health etc. This article also let's you know how you can adopt the green computing policy and save money at the same time!
As the times are evolving, technology is evolving with it, this means computers are being used more and more each day. Due to rising computer demands, manufactures are having to cater for the high demands governments are placing on them in order to reduce the global pollution problem.
The two main methods that have been suggested to manufactures and which some are already implementing are:
Production Method
Most manufacturers who implement the green computing philosophy do so by using materials in their computers and hardware which are more environmentally friendly, lead for example is very hazardous to the environment which is usually used in computers. Lead among other substances used is a very inefficient, in this method alternate materials are used in order to maximise efficiency. As well as this all waste material and defunct products created in the production process are either recycled or biodegraded.
Power Management
Other companies such as Advanced Configuration and Power Interface or ACPI (see link provided below) provide a standard programming interface which basically allows the operating system to control the all the power saving features of the hardware. This feature gives the operating system the ability to turn off many of the components of the computer which remain inactive for extended periods of time e.g. hard drives, monitors. The system is also capable of automatically hibernating itself in order to save energy because during hibernation many of the components that use the most electricity are turned off which greatly reduces power consumption.
Many companies are starting to adopt the green computing policy into their manufacturing process, in fact Leeds Metropolitan University is the first University in the UK to adopt green computing aswell.
Now here's what you can do! If you see this logo it means that this system is environmentally friendly and will save you money at the at the same time!
Intrested in learning more, here are some useful links:
return [green computing]
Return to Green computing
