Top tips is a weekly column where we highlight what’s trending in the tech world today and list out ways to explore these trends. This week we’re looking at four ways in which you can make your tech landscape more sustainable.
Going green is the new trend as we saw at the Apple event, Wonderlust. Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, and the Apple team did an entire skit on how the company would achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Apple offices are already carbon neutral; every Apple office runs on clean electricity, and Apple has reduced its water usage by sixty-three billion gallons. So, where does that leave the rest of us?
You cannot make your organization carbon neutral in a day. It takes revisiting the entire structure of business processes to make conscious changes. But here are a few simple ways in which you can begin your sustainability journey.
1. Relocate your data centers
Data handling cannot be compromised when it comes to business operations. But there’s one way we could make data centers more sustainable. Keep it cool—naturally!
Servers require cooling systems to keep them at the right temperature. But if you have the bandwidth to relocate your data centers to places with colder climates, then you can significantly reduce the cooling and energy costs. Although it doesn’t seem like much, any change in the right direction is a good change to start with.
2. Choose green cloud service providers
Is the cloud an eco-friendly option? No, not completely. But there’s something you can do to make sure your shift to the cloud is as eco-friendly as possible.
The global cloud infrastructure comprises more than 7.2 million energy-intensive data centers scattered across the globe, perpetually consuming vast quantities of electricity for operations and millions of gallons of water for cooling purposes. So, while choosing to invest in the cloud, look for cloud service providers who’re implementing green initiatives in their data centers. This can cut down on energy and water consumption, thereby contributing to the conservation of these vital resources.
3. Extend life cycles of devices
When was the last time you repaired your device? Can’t remember? Same here. Discarding devices after minimal use is more harmful than you think.
Approximately 40 million tons of electronic waste are generated annually on a global scale, which is equivalent to discarding 800 laptops every second. With cellphone users replacing their device approximately once every 18 months, it’s no wonder that e-waste constitutes a substantial 70% of our total toxic waste output.
When you keep your devices for a longer period of time, be it a laptop or mobile phone, it drastically reduces e-waste.
E-waste contains toxic materials such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can seep into the soil and cause adverse effects on plant growth, contaminate bodies of water, and cause health risks to humans, including neurological disorders, kidney damage, developmental issues in children, and cardiovascular problems.
So, when you’re investing in electronic devices for your office, be mindful: Look for brands that have a longer life in addition to good service and repair support.
4. Foster a culture of sustainability
While most people care about sustainability there are often no effective measures or programs in organizations for employees to participate in. But this should change.
Foster a culture of sustainability among teams by rewarding them with bigger budgets or hikes if they take significant steps towards sustainability. Our brain prioritizes instant gratification over long-term goals so this will encourage employees to be more proactive in your organizational efforts to go green.
Hooting and hollering over sustainability doesn’t help anybody. Taking significant steps towards the betterment of our planet, be it big or small, will be fruitful. So, be mindful of the choices you make, especially when it comes to organizational decisions, because the bigger your organization, the bigger its impact on the environment.
