Green Information Technology

I remember back when I was in grade 3, I actually pleaded my mom to buy me my very first
phone, and it was an old Nokia back then. And now, I currently have my sixth or seventh phone
already, and if I would compare it back to my old phone, it is very much different. It is more
efficient, easy access, and I can actually do anything I would want in it.

This immensely portray our society right now. We are so dependent on our devices and
appliances that we are in constant need to make our lives easier through them.

But, have you ever wonder whatever happened to the lesser efficient and advanced technologies
we have back then? Whatever happened to my Nokia phone?

There’s a certain answer for that, they have become what we call electronic wastes and are
another additions to the waste problem we are currently facing right now.

So, how can we resolve this issue? How can this be solved? Should we just immediately stop
using these devices? But that would be too impractical, wouldn’t it be?

Let me tell you three words, Green Information Technology. Yes, Green IT. It promotes the idea
of environmentally sustainable computing.

This was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency when they released the
Energy Star Labeling System, which allows businesses and companies to reduce their carbon
usage and energy consumption while still acquiring funds as well.

So, how does Green IT promotes sustainability in Information Technology?

First is safely disposing of electronic wastes. They actually partner and encourage companies as
well to do this. Because if we continue this practice, it will decrease the hazardous materials that
we let out to our environment.

And another is the cloud computing, which allows distribution of services through the internet,
and it is very much beneficial to the companies because it will then make the companies build
lesser infrastructures and it will then result to less waste of these natural resources, which is very
beneficial to our environment.

Another advocacy would be is that we should fix and repair things instead of actually thowing
them away instantly. Green IT promotes that we should consider repairing these devices instead
of throwing them away immediately and it encourages companies as well.

Lastly, is to buy higher quality products than the low quality ones. Because, low quality one are
much draining for the electricity, and it emits greenhouse gases, it has more toxic materials than
the higher quality ones and it will surely not last us a long time, which will then add up to the
electronic wastes we currently have.
These are just some practices and advocacies that Green IT promotes and encourages us to do.
But I believe that if these practices will be continued habitually, it will then bestow us the
sustainable world we are yearning for, for all these years. And as stewards of the earth we should
make actions, we should take the responsibilities, so therefore I say, Go Green IT!

References

Biswas, M. (2015). What is green information technology? Retrieved from

https://www.indusnet.co.in/green-information-technology/#:~:text=With%20this%20in
%20mind%2C%20Green,practice%20of%20environmentally%20sustainable
%20computing.&text=It%20is%20a%20labeling%20system,reduce%20greenhouse
%20emissions%20%26%20energy%20consumptions.

Schäfer, T. (2013). Green it: Sustainable information technology. Retrieved from

https://www.alumniportal-deutschland.org/en/global-goals/sdg-09-infrastructure/green-it-
sustainable-information-technology/

What is green it and why is it important?: News. (2012, August 30). Retrieved from
https://tricostar.com/news-feed/industry-news/what-is-green-it-why-is-it-important-part-
1/