Green IT support in resolving environmental issues Research Paper

Green IT support in resolving environmental issues - Research Paper Example The adoption of Green approach to IT encompasses a broad range of activities that all possess the same objective: efficiency. Going Green has in recent years gained significance in recent years for diverse reasons, including revival in attention to environmental concerns and the confirmed cost savings that accompany green initiatives. This paper highlights the significance of Green IT in addressing the close connection between the environmental, economic, and social concerns, especially in reconciling the planet’s environmental needs with development needs. The paper concludes that, despite the rebound effects cited to downplay the effects of Green IT, Green IT is indeed a perfect means of resolving environmental issues that organizations face today. Green IT support in resolving environmental issues Introduction Environmental and energy conservation issues have recently gained topicality within the global business arena. This has largely been fuelled by the reality of increas ing energy costs combined with growing concerns over global warming climate crisis, plus other environmental issues. Green IT may refer to three critical areas of research; IT efficiency in terms of energy, management of the lifecycle of IT that is eco-compatible, and IT as a phenomenon that enables green governance (Barney 1996, p.50). The design, manufacture, deployment, function, utilization, and disposal of information technology bear significant ramifications for the environment. Up to 70% of CO2 emissions form IT comes from data centers (Hart 1997, p.67). This can be minimized by virtualization altering from â€Å"always on† to â€Å"always available,† and minimal consumption equipment. Green Approach and Computing Green IT activities are directed at â€Å"greenization,† or reduction of emissions through the use of IT technologies. IT managers can play a significant role in aiding their companies’ implement a green approach towards the agency's comp uting since they bear a rewarding impact on both environmental and fiscal concerns. There are two critical roles played by the IT solutions, which include saving energy form IT devices themselves (of IT) and saving energy by IT (by IT). Green IT is characterized into two categories, namely: enhancing energy efficiency of IT equipment (PC, Server, Storage), datacenter, parts (semiconductor) and electronics (TV, DVD, Refrigerator); and enhancing energy efficiency of the society by employment of IT solutions in industries (enhancing the efficiency of a production process, in business (such as use of web meeting), in households (online shopping), and transportation (eco-drive) (Sharma 2000, p.682). The implementation of Green IT has been critical in mitigating the rising energy costs and environmental damage. Green IT solutions address a wide range of environmental issues targeted at gaining sustainability. Addressing Environmental Concerns by Use of Green IT In the contemporary society , the challenges to the environment are concise. They include the urge for clean water and air; reasonable and consistent delivery of energy; reduced fossil fuels supply; climate change and its inferences for future generations. As a result, energy and climate related issues have become top issues for some corporation’s strategic agenda (Molla 2009, p.2). Green IT solutions can aid clients to reduce costs and systematically minimize energy, water, e-waste, and carbon