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The Greening of IT
xxiv How Companies Can Make a Difference for the Environment

Truth, have raised awareness worldwide to the effects of emissions on the
environment. Other books, such as Thomas Friedman’s 2008 Hot, Flat,
and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution—and How It Can Renew
America, continue to sound the wake-up call. Green IT is one significant
step in providing a solution to the crisis. As discussed in Chapter 1,
“The Importance of Green IT,” many companies are emphasizing the
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) aspect of green IT. In 2009,
Google plans to open a data center in Council Bluffs, Iowa, close to
abundant wind-power resources for fulfilling green energy objectives
and proximate to fiber-optic communications links. Going green also
inspires us at the individual level. Because I grew up in North Dakota, I
emphasize in Appendix C, “Comparison of Different Power-Generation
Methods,” that North Dakota is the top wind state (in potential) in the
United States. When I visited my small farm community home town in
eastern North Dakota in July 2008, I was proud to see the wind turbines
springing up around the state. The Great Plains area of the United
States has even been referred to as the Saudi Arabia of wind. This overall
awareness, sense of responsibility to contribute, and pride in contribut-
ptg
ing will continue to be very important for our success in driving toward
green IT.
Green IT is the study and practice of using computing resources effi-
ciently. Typically, technological systems or computing products that
incorporate green computing principles take into account the so-called
triple bottom line of economic viability, social responsibility, and envi-
ronmental impact. This approach differs somewhat from traditional or
standard business practices that focus mainly on the economic viability
or economic benefits rendered by a computing solution. These new
focuses are similar to those of green chemistry: reduction of the use of
hazardous materials such as lead at the manufacturing stage, maximized
energy efficiency during the product’s term of use, and recyclability or
biodegradability of both a defunct product and of any factory waste.
A typical green computing solution addresses some or all these factors
by implementing environmentally friendly products in an efficient sys-
tem. For example, an IT manager might purchase Electronic Products
Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)-approved hardware combined
with a thin client solution. As compared to a traditional desktop PC
configuration, such a configuration would probably reduce IT mainte-
nance-related activities, extend the useful life of the hardware, and allow
for responsible recycling of the equipment past its useful life.