Why Technology is going green now?
When the year 2007 Nobel Prize for peace was given to a group that led a scientific study on changing weather conditions and its impact on future lives on earth, there was a big hue and cry from people around the world telling that the award has lost its touch of fairness. However, the blind truth is, the world is at the mercy of changing weather conditions and peace must be established between mother Earth and it’s highly advanced specious called Homo sapiens. We are witnessing an age when studies show that gadgets are the most valuable thing humans love to carry with them; it’s high time to think about greening technology. Many must have heard by now, what is green technology? But for those, who haven’t, let’s start from the scratch.
The term “technology” refers to the application of knowledge for practical purposes. The field of “green technology” encompasses a continuously evolving group of methods and materials, from techniques for generating energy to non-toxic cleaning products. The present expectation is that this field will bring innovation and changes in daily life of similar magnitude to the “information technology” explosion over the last two decades. In these early stages, it is impossible to predict what “green technology” may eventually encompass. In spite of this unpredictability every one knows that going green is very important these days.
Beyond the potential good it does for the environment, implementing a "green" approach in the office can translate into real cost savings. But going green is frequently perceived as something only the larger sized companies -- with the resources to invest in more efficient equipment and programs -- can afford to put into practice. Nothing could be further from the truth. Small and midsize businesses can do good, and save money, if they know how. Patricia Calkins vice president of Environment, Health and Safety for Xerox Corp. has some simple, easy ways that small and midsize businesses can develop a "green" outlook and cash in while protecting our precious environment.
- Purchase equipment with the most capabilities possible. Buying an MFP instead of a fax machine, printer, and copier could translate into a 50 percent reduction in energy usage.
- All machines should be energy star certified make sure that "energy star" features” such as automatic sleep mode for PCs -- aren't disabled on devices already in the office. Those features have the potential to cut energy costs by a third.
- Make double sided printing the default position on the copier to save paper usage. Similarly, use the scan to email feature rather than printing and mailing a document. Automate as many processes as possible to cut down on paper use.
- Use recyclable print cartridges that can be returned and re-manufactured. There are also solid ink options that result in 90 percent less waste than cartridges.
- Enroll in a paper recycling program and separate high quality white paper from other types of paper (like newspapers). The recycler pays more for better quality paper. When purchasing paper, specify recycled content paper.
There are also "green" IT investments that can help an IT department run more effectively. Virtualization technologies – from servers to storage to desktops -- not only reduce power consumption but also protect a company's data and are an efficient way to manage a company's operations. Since IT being a major role player in green house gas emission, it’s very important that they show some kind of concern to bring it down and thus save the world for next generation. So we call everyone to go green.
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