Virtualization
At its simplest level, virtualization allows you, virtually and cost-effectively, to have two or more computers, running two or more completely different environments, on one piece of hardware. For example, with virtualization, you can have both a Linux machine and a Windows machine on one system.
Virtualization is also designed to enable a generation of more energy-efficient computing. Processor, memory, and storage resources that today must be delivered in fixed amounts determined by real hardware system configurations will be delivered with finer granularity via dynamically tuned virtual machines.
Power Management
Thanks to the U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA), personal computer systems purchased today can be easy on energy. These “Energy Star” computers and monitors can be programmed to automatically “power-down” to a low power state when they are not being used. These efficiency gains can be achieved without any sacrifice in computing performance.
The EPA has estimated that providing computers with “sleep mode” reduces their energy use by 60 to 70 percent – and ultimately could save enough electricity each year to power Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Telecommuting
Telecommuting, e-commuting, e-work, telework, working from home, or working at home is a work arrangement in which employees enjoy flexibility in working location and hours. In other words, the daily commute to a central place of work is replaced by telecommunication links. Many work from home, while others, occasionally also referred to as nomad workers or web commuters utilize mobil tele-communications technology to work from coffee shops or myriad other locations.
Estimates suggest that over 50 million U.S. workers could work from home at least part of the time yet, in 2008, only 2.5 million employees (not including the self-employed) considered home their primary place of business.
Recycling
Electronic waste, e-waste, e-scrap, or Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment describes discarded, electronic devices. Some electronic scrap components, such as CRTs, contain contaminants such as lead, cadmium, beryllium, mercury, and brominated flame retardants.
Rapid technology change, low initial cost, and planned obsolescence have resulted in a fast-growing surplus of electronic waste around the globe. The USA discards 30 million computers each year. The EPA estimates that only 15-20% of e-waste is recycled, the rest go directly into landfills and incinerators.
Reducing Paper Waste
Something as simple as expanding the print margins of printers and printed documents to allow greater surface areas to be used will reduce the number of total pages used. Purchasing and configuring printers to print on both sides of the paper will cut paper use in half.
Review and modify documents on the screen, use print preview and minimize the number of hard copies and paper drafts you make. Recycle waste paper. Buy and use recycled paper in your printers and copiers. From an environmental point of view, the best recycled paper is 100 percent post consumer recycled content.
Refurbish and Upgrade
Every year individuals, non-profits, and corporations send millions of still-usable surplus personal computers to landfills. There is a growing recognition that getting the maximum use out of existing computers is an environmentally responsible choice.
Environmentally responsible computer use implies not buying new equipment unless there is a demonstrated need. Do you really need a new computer or printer? Can you meet your needs by upgrading existing equipment? Can you find a solution in software rather than hardware?
If you must purchase new remember to purchase only as much computing power as you need.
Be Energy Conscious
Look for ways to reduce the amount of time your computer
is on without adversely affecting your productivity.Unless you require immediate access to e-mail or other Internet services, break the habit of turning on all your computer equipment as soon as you enter the office each day.
Avoid using the switch on a powerstrip to turn on all your equipment.
If you use a laser printer, don’t turn your printer on until you are ready to print.
Turn off your entire computer system when you go to lunch or will be out of the office for a meeting.