Seven Simple Steps to Improve your Triple Bottom Line
Green Computing
Green Computing is a term that is dear to all Green IT pundits. Simply put, Green Computing is the study and practice of using computing resources efficiently.
It encompasses routine practices that help save energy, and enhancement to computer programs and far-reaching hardware changes or replacement to consume less power.
The main goal of green computing is to more than account for your triple bottom line. Green Computing practices should improve that triple bottom line.
In this regard, Green Kenya now seeks to highlight some measures that can dramatically improve computing and save energy. Thanks to the power of information and technology.
What is the Triple Bottom Line?
The triple Bottom Line is defined as a form of reporting that takes into account the impact your business has in terms of social and environmental values along with financial returns. It stands for People, Planet and Profit.
TBL accounting recognizes that without happy, healthy people to staff a business and the natural environment able to sustain those people and supply resources for trade; business is, well, simply unsustainable in the long run.
It is worth noting that the Triple Bottom Line is not an award, accreditation or a certification you can achieve – it’s an ongoing process that just helps a company keep on track towards running a greener business and demonstrates to the community at large they are working not just towards riches, but the greater common good.
To better understand TBL, read this Wikipedia article on the Triple Bottom Line.
7 Simple Green Computing Initiatives
The following practices are really simple to implement, and most do not cost much. However, they all result in efficient computing, enhanced productivity and reduced energy costs.
1. Do not turn your printer on until you are ready to print.
2. Replace your good old CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitor with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitor.
3. Don’t run computers continuously unless they are in use continuously.
4. Do not unnecessarily charge your notebook computer. In fact, running your laptop continually on A.C. power damages your battery.
5. Develop the habit of turning off your entire computer system: CPU, monitor and printer when you are not in the office or are out on errands. Contrary to popular belief, turning your computer off every now and then does not shorten its life.
6. A graphics processing unit (GPU) or video card may well be the largest power consumer in a computer. Selecting a GPU based on performance per watt, or using motherboard video output when you are not running graphics intensive applications and programs saves significant power.
7. Use the power management features in your operating system to save on power usage. A good example is to let your system automatically turn off the monitor or hard disk drive when they are not in use.
There is so much more…
The above steps are in no way exhaustive. There is a lot more you can do, to practice Green Computing both on a personal and corporate level.
If we each do a little more, we all do a lot more.
Begin now by doing just one of the above, then two, and before long, you will be computing on a more productive, efficient and responsible scale.
