Coding to Save the World

One of the biggest problems our generation needs to solve is the finding is sustainable approach to power our way of life. I will like to think that with behind the advent of the information era and tools like the internet we will find the solution to this problem. Thanks to the internet we can expose the consequences of pollution to a mass audience and create awareness of how serous this can be. For instance I wouldn't be aware of the existence of Garbage Island (See video) and how something that is so far away is affecting my life. Also I believe new ways of interpreting different behaviours through Big Data will enlighten us to find new answers to save our planet.

Garbage Island

But something we don’t think too much about is the carbon footprint of this wonderful IT tools and all the energy is wasted by the inefficient use of energy in the IT industry.

"A yearlong examination by The New York Times has revealed that the foundation of the information industry is sharply at odds with its image of sleek efficiency and environmental friendliness. 

Most data centers, by design, consume vast amounts of energy in an incongruously wasteful manner, interviews and documents show. Online companies typically run their facilities at maximum capacity around the clock, whatever the demand. As a result, data centers can waste 90 percent or more of the electricity they pull off the grid, The Times found."¹

^{Data Centers waste vast amounts of energy} 

The interesting thing is that the solution for this problem is coming from the IT industry itself:

"A software that can drastically reduce CO2 emissions (and energetic costs) on computers all over the world has been developed by Portuguese scientists and is freely available to anyone interested.
The program is called SPIRIT and is the first automated system capable of turning the computers of a server on and off according to need to prevent the energetic waste of idle units. In the last year, just in the 200 computers of the Interdisciplinary Complex of Lisbon University, the software saved energy equivalent to 5 tons of CO2 emissions. And its potential is huge like Carlos Reis and Jorge Pacheco, the two scientists behind the project, explain: “used worldwide SPIRIT could result in yearly savings equivalent to the energy produced by a 1000 MW Nuclear Power Station, or, in other words, a reduction of about 5 million tons of CO2 emissions every year” (the emissions of 6.5 millions London-NY flights). The software was developed at the University of Minho and the University of Lisbon in Portugal and first presented at the Fifth International Conference on Software Engineering Advances ICSEA 2010 where it won a best paper award."²

^{Department of Informatics at the University of Lisbon}

This is evidence that one of the marvels of the IT industry is not only that has the potential to make efficient other industries but also has the capability to change and improve itself form within. I'm curious to know what new software will appear and make more energy efficient other industries, what software will be there in the front line of energy efficiency?, who will be the coder who'll save our planet?

OUR HERO!!!!

Sources:

1. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/23/technology/data-centers-waste-vast-amounts-of-energy-belying-industry-image.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

2. http://www.science20.com/catarina_amorim/how_new_software_can_help_save_planet-75634

Products to avoid if you are eco friendly

There are various products that do not support the use of go green and eco friendly products. These are a menace to the ambiance around us as well.

Styrofoam containers

Little steps can have an enormous effect regarding the matter of sparing the Earth. Assuming that you are primed to begin practicing environmental safety, investigate this rundown of 10 things you ought to abstain from purchasing and utilizing as a part of your home.

Some of these things not just damage the Earth– they could likewise be hurtful to your crew! We infer elective decisions to help make these eco-accommodating changes a spot simpler.

Paper towels and napkins

Appropriately oversaw, paper is a renewable asset. Be that as it may a significant number of us have a tendency to utilize more paper items than should be expected. Paper towels and napkins are especially inefficient of woods assets, landfill space, and your cash. In the event that you do buy paper towels or napkins, verify you purchase an eco-accommodating mixed bag.

A superior elective is to utilize fabric napkins at suppers, and clothes, wipes, or towels to clean up chaotic heaps. Like paper items, plastic utensils rate high on the waste scale. Most disposable plastic utensils are utilized once and discarded, instead of reused. Since they are not biodegradable, they will live on everlastingly in nature’s domain. Think about washing and reusing plastic utensils, or stick to consistent cutlery or versatile metal chaos units.

Dioxins

Dioxins are chemicals shaped throughout the chlorine dying procedure. Dioxins sully groundwater and air, and have been connected to disease in both people and creatures. In the event that you are an espresso consumer, verify you purchase eco-accommodating unbleached channels, which are healthier for both you and nature’s turf.

How frequently do you purchase items that are wrapped in layers of overwhelming plastic, air pocket wrap, or hills of pressing peanuts?

A vast share of the waste in American families hails from bundling, which helps our flooding landfills. At whatever point conceivable, purchase items in mass, without abundance bundling.

In the event that you must purchase more diminutive sizes, search for items that are bundled in reused or recyclable materials. Stand firm and let organizations realize that you won’t purchase their over packaged items. What’s more when you pack your own particular bundles for shipment at the post office, do so sparingly.

Assistance secures the rainforests

Teak and mahogany are wonderful, durable woods. Interest for these woods has expanded their reaping from tropical rainforests, where over 50% of the planet’s plant and creature species dwell. Next time you are in the business sector for wood furniture,

determine it is produced through guaranteed ranger service programs. Stunningly better, think about obtaining items produced out of bamboo, a remarkably renewable asset that causes less harm to nature.

Bringing The Trash Back In

E-waste landfill        Source: ewasteguide.info

What happens to your old electronics after you’re done using them?   It can be easy to get swept up in the newest technology trends, without thinking about what happens to your old devices.  But, proper disposal of IT is an important component of Green IT.

“Technotrash” or “E-Waste” are terms used for unwanted or broken electronic devices.   Since the 1950’s, many companies have been following a trend of “planned obsolescence.”  In her online documentary, The Story of Stuff, Annie Leonard explains, “In order to increase consumption, they specifically produce products that are designed to become useless as quickly as possible, so we will go buy new ones.  It’s obvious with stuff such as plastic bags and coffee cups, but now … [it’s even happening with] computers.”  As consumers, we have become so accustom to having the newest gadget that we readily dispose of our old electronics in favor of new ones.

The UN Environmental Program (“UNEP”) found that nearly 50 million metric tonnes of e-waste was generated globally in 2012. According to their report, Waste, “Electrical and electronic equipment containing new and complex hazardous substances presents the fastest-growing challenge in both developed and developing countries.”

While it may be easy to ignore the issue once the devices are out of our sight, one of the biggest challenges with e-waste is the fact that electronics contain many toxic chemicals.  Phones and computers are comprised of high-tech parts made up of toxic substances including flame retardants, PVC, and bromine, as well as heavy metals such as lead, chromium, and mercury.  When we do not take the time to recycle these devices, they typically end up in landfills or incinerators, releasing heavy metals into our land, water, and air.

Effects of e-waste on the human body       Source:   Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition

In well-maintained landfills, these chemicals might not initially become a large problem while special liners are used and protective measures are taken.  However, the European Environment Agency estimates that every year, between 250,000 tonnes and 1.3m tonnes of used electronic products are shipped out of the EU alone, to developing countries in Latin America, Asia, and Africa.  Many countries in these regions do not have the capacity to dispose of the e-waste properly.  Poor disposal methods can harm the health of the local people and their environment. 

Source: notenoughgood.com

Even if you do not care about technotrash’s impact on people or the planet, it’s still important to dispose of it properly.  The high consumption level of electronics, combined with a failure to recycle them is leading to shortages of critical “rare earths”.  Rare earths are group of 17 natural elements, including lanthanum, neodymium, gadolinium, cerium, and erbium.  Despite their name, they are actually quite common, however they are typically found in quantities that are too small to extract economically.  Recycling and reusing devices is one way to help conserve resources such as these.   Check out this article from Columbia for more information about rare earths.  

What can you do?  If you’re looking for easy ways to make an impact, search no further!

Recycle! Instead of just throwing away your devices, take the time to find out what companies have “takeback programs” to recycle their old products.  Check out this site for more details on some of the major electronics companies and their programs.

Stop and Think! Before discarding your old phone or laptop, take the time to decide whether you really need a new one.  Is your device really worn out, or are you falling for planned obsolescence?

Spread the Word! Let your friends and family know the importance of recycling electronics and help reduce the amount of e-waste we produce annually.