The Environment

 

Effects on the Environment

  1. Microcomputers account for 5 percent of electricity use.
  2. They are the greatest users of electricity in the workplace.
  3. This trend may increase to 10 percent by the year 2000.
  4. Increased power production means
    1. More air pollution
    2. Depletion of nonrenewable resources
    3. Other environmental hazards

  

The Environment Protection Agency (EPA)

  1. The EPA has created the the Energy Star Program.
  2. It was created to discourage waste in the microcomputer industry.
  3. 50 manufacturers are working with the EPA to reduce power requirements for:
    1. System units
    2. Monitors
    3. Printers
  4. The industry has responded with the concept of the Green PC.

  

 

The Green PC

  1. System Unit
    1. Uses existing technology from portable computers.
    2. Uses an energy saving microprocessor that requires less power.
    3. Employs microprocessor and hard disk drives that shift to energy saving or sleep-mode when not in operation.
    4. Replaces conventional supply unit with adapter that requires less electricity.
    5. Eliminates the cooling fan.
        
  2. Display
    1. Uses flat panels that require much less energy than traditional monitors.
    2. Uses special power-down monitors that reduce power consumption when not in use.
    3. Uses screen-saver software that clear the display when not in use.
         
  3. Manufacturing
    1. Computer manufacturers are using less harmful chemicals in production such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in solvents and cleaning agents.
    2. Toxic nickel and other heavy metals are being eliminated or reduced in manufacturing process.

 

 

Personal Responsibilities

  1. You have a personal responsibility to help protect the environment.
  2. Conserve -  Turn off all computers and energy-consuming devices at end of day/week.
  3. Recycle -  Include computer paper, boxes, packaging material, printer cartridges, and floppy disks.
  4. Educate -  Learn more about ecological dangers computers may have on the environment.

 

<  Previous Page                                         Next Page >