How can we reduce the energy use of computing - Essay Example

How can we reduce the energy use of computing? This argument essay is primarily based on discussing the issue of saving energy by responsible use ofcomputers in order to promote eco-friendly features around the globe and save tons of money. Not only there is an increased need presently to save energy at grass-root level, but also generating energy consumption reports at official level also holds huge importance as it helps in measuring financial benefits gained by saving energy. Companies today are seen increasingly requiring the common public to engage in power-saving activities and quitting the habit of leaving computers turned on all day long, so that they could help themselves in gaining environmental objectives.

Yeang talks about many features in his article which can effectively help in reducing the level of energy consumption as a result of computer usage (2009). Blackle is one such feature which is meant to provide a front end to Google with black background. Now, more energy is consumed by displaying a white screen than is consumed by a black screen which helps people in adopting an eco-friendly attitude while still having an access to all the information needed by Google. This may appear to be an action of a very ordinary nature, but “this small tweak to Google has a potential to save 750 Megawatt hours a year.

  As of now, they’ve already saved more than a million watt hours with this tool” (Yeang, 2009). According to the shocking facts revealed in a research report regarding energy consumption as a result of desktop computers left on even when they are not being used, “the energy used by 1,000 workstations in one year is equivalent to 880 barrels of oil, or 43,180 gallons of gasoline” (Stevens, 2008). Now, it is further revealed in the report that consumption of energy on such a large scale results in the release of about 380 tons of carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere, which hugely lays stress on the need to promote greenwashing.

Greenwashing refers to the practice of urging the businesses to make their operations eco-friendly and promoting eco-friendly product features. If 380 tons of carbon dioxide gas gets released into the atmosphere, as mentioned earlier, then such energy consumption results in costing the government more than $90,000 if those 1000 desktop computers always remain on. Energy wastage at such a huge level resulting in costing such a huge number of dollars and release of tons of poisonous gases in the atmosphere can simply be reduced significantly by switching off the desktop computers when they are not being used by the people.

Research presented in the article by Stevens (2008) identifies that simple mistakes and lack of responsibility on part of the common public can potentially produce incredibly huge disastrous consequences. Lastly, turning off the desktops does not necessarily mean that they have to be totally shut down every time one thinks about taking a small break away from the desktop screen; rather, energy can be consumed simply by putting the desktop in a standby or hibernate mode.References:Stevens, M 2008, Reducing Desktop Power Consumption: How IT and Facilities Can Both Win, viewed 24 November 2011, Yeang, J 2009, 5 Ways To Reduce The Power Consumption Of Your Computer, viewed 24 November 2011,