GREEN IT

Question 1

What is Green IT

Answer 1

Green IT’ is to use computers and IT resources in an efficient and environmentally responsible way to reduce an organization’s carbon footprint.
To ‘reduce carbon footprint’ means to decrease the amount of pollution (such as CO2) produced by an organization and to engage in more eco-friendly practice.

Question 2

examples of green IT practice

Answer 2

1. Turn off computers, monitors and other connected devices when not in use.
2. Use cloud storage or virtualization to reduce the number of physical devices being bought, powered and maintained.
3. Consider if it is necessary to print a document before doing so and print only what is required.
4. Adjust power options to help minimize power consumption.​
5. Repair older devices rather than throwing them away.
6. Recycle ink cartridges and paper. Donate older equipment to charities or schools for reuse.

Question 3

why use green IT?

Answer 3

It is in an organisation’s best interests to use Green IT practices for the following reasons:

To become more sustainable by reducing the company’s carbon footprint and positively impacting the environment.
Reducing energy costs (e.g. by turning equipment off when not in use) and saving money.
Improving the public image of the organization as people are increasingly environmentally conscious and will prefer to do business with a company that follows environmentally-friendly policies.

Question 4

global requirements of green IT

Answer 4

In the UK, the Greening Government ICT Strategy (running between 2011 and 2015) was an annual report that investigated how IT use could become ‘greener’ within the government. Positive consequences of this strategy included:
• Using more cloud storage technology, enabling fewer individual storage devices to be purchased, reducing emissions.
• Using social media more widely to contact voters - saving money by posting fewer letters and leaflets.
• Increasing the use of teleconferencing and video calls - reducing the need for unnecessary travel to meetings and avoiding the generation of heavy pollution.