Greener IT seeds...

Several IT companies including mine are taking up the initiatives towards Going Green. I have already written about some of it 3 weeks back. Here I present two Technologies which really will and are changing the way companies worked.
Virtualization: Gartner says the number of virtualized machines will be about four million by 2009, from just 540,000+ in year 2006. IT organizations have moved a foot towards initiatives to virtualize their enterprise infrastructures. It is an effort not only to reduce costs and improve efficiency but also reduce energy consumption. Server virtualization is and will be a significant part of “Green” IT initiative. It not only helps reduce server sprawl, but it also provides the ability to respond to the changing business .
All said but done, until the IT company thinks about changing to virtualization, it must completely understand and identify virtualization needs. It must look into the full life-cycle of virtualization applicable to data center, taking aspects of planning, look into configuration management to management of resources evaluating all virtual and physical server technologies available. To know more you can refer "Green Search" box with Keywords Wikipedia + Virtualization. Virtual infrastructure means lesser energy and more usability.
Optical Circuits + Fiber Transmission: One of the already available commercially viable solution to reduce electricity consumption in my view is Optical fibers. If one looks at todays networks in an organization, they are webs of traditional conductive wires sprawling around all the floors and rooms of the building. More the length of these wires more signal boosting is required and more the loss of energy. The servers which manage the networks are also power hungry and need to be fed at all instances 24x7x52. If we go by the amount of wires used by a Boeing aircraft to manage sophisticated systems, it would weigh 1/6 of the aircraft, but Optical fibers could reduce it by half the weight and reduce energy consumptions too. A traditional processor chip is the most energy hungry component of a computer and needs cooling devices which also gulp energy. The optical chips typically work at an ideal near zero wattage points. IBM had designed chips with Data capacity of 160gb, and others with Data rate of similar ranges. It is though in a research state but once done should transform the way devices works and uses energy. Traditionally no one has included using Optical circuits/ fibers as a part of Green Initiative, I do really believe it will be.
Hope we get our computing and networks done the optical way... or at-least get them Virtualized :)...

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Which fire to put off first...

Recently read about a "great Scientist" of America James Hansen, who held a conference for Global efforts against Carbon emissions. I am surprised by his suggestion and resolution, and expect Green Followers to be equally! He says that tackling gas guzzling is not the most controllable option we have, instead we should focus on what goes into our Power plants and energy hungry Iron/steel industry -- COAL! I don't agree with him, because this would give people another lame excuse to drive callously in their hummers and other tank like vehicles while displaying their middle fingers to mother nature. I have to say this because everyone here understands the human psychology of ignorance. Once sidelined, this fact will overrun all the efforts ( whatever minuscule levels) on efficient vehicles and pooling/biking taken up by good people. I agree to his facts about Coal ,a major carbon contributer, but should not be the only priority. He accuses that nations like China and newer Economies might still go on using oil gnawing vehicles, but hey Mr James, aren't these vehicles a produce of your n European great economies? If we take measures to reduce the production of such vehicles ain't the Chinese and new Economies going to become choosy, n content with some better viable options. Instead of making a true scientific statement he's making a political one, supporting the big car/vehicle producers to roll their tires on Mother nature. I don't gather respect for such kinds of evaluation and that too by scientist of repute. I hope Mr Hansen reads this and rubs the Coal Carbon off his Eyes, and makes a re-rationale of his speech. I pray to Almighty that people spend gas with prudence and keep thinking and doing good for our Mother Earth....

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Green Politics...

Green Politics, as the term suggests brings in the pro-ecology pro-conservation ideology into the political purview. I'm not the authority on either politics or Going Green, but here I put what I understand. The earliest references of this term can be found on wikipedia, which quote some German politicians who agreed to put affects and effects of our development to people. There are numerous other leaders from the past, who had preached n practiced the same, but never had a launchpad. Not that they did not, but could not push it because of other people issues were overwhelming. I remember Gandhi taking to natural Khadi ( hand woven cotton) produce, Lal Bahadur Shastri promoting Farmers ( Jai Jawan Jai Kisan - Hail soldiers, hail the Farmers) and promoting fasting as a means to curb hunger across the world, using lesser resources which were need based only. These were and are far more superior ways , which not only influenced the common man but did bring about a revolution of its own kind. Al Gore the most famous and well known face of politics, who proposed all the wise n alarming studies of human affect. But saying this, he aloofs himself from politics, but the exposure he gets is due to his political image! What if he brought this during his contention for presidency and continued his good work, he could have achieved much of what he proposes now. I really appreciate his efforts, but the topic is about green politics, I believe politics could give a much needed platform for the "Go Green Revolution".
But being a human being I have been practicing what I call a slaughter of nature, and have seen politicians ravaging the earth for matters of Votes n power. I'm not asking/debating that politicians are Either evil Or only way to propagate, but Green is indeed one agenda that political parties should surface. Green Politics is welcomed by the educated and aware popluation, it only needs a bit of soil n moisture of thoughts to grow. I sincerely hope that our world sees politicians like these who do a just to be a child of mother earth.
I hope n pray that in next times I see a lot of people coming into politics, for the Green of Earth than green of Money....

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Knowing Kyoto Protocol...

The Kyoto Protocol is the globally accepted (signed by most of the countries) Framework/ set of norms/guidelines to reduce greenhouse gases. It considers that cause in the climate change is due to the emissions of common greenhouse gases, ponders a need to accept n acknowledge contribution towards environment.
It was initiated on 11Dec, 1997 by the 3rd Conference of the Parties, in a meeting in Kyoto, and it came into force on 16Feb, 2005. Off lately 182 countries/parties have signed the protocol and wowed to take guideline measures to reduce their carbon footprint.
Countries are divided in 2 halves Annex I(developed) and Non-Annex I( developing) . The division poses a moral responsibility of Annex I to take actions to reduce the emissions and Non-Annex I to take initiative towards it, but are not obliged or bound.
Under this system, the parties are usually provided with a Carbon credit, which entitles the nation of an allowable upper limit of greenhouse gas production. For Annx I countries, they are subjected to a Fine of 1.3 emission allowance per ton of greenhouse gas emitted above their Carbon credit limit.
As for now the plan is, by 2012 Annx I countries should reduce their Carbon foot print by 5% overall, whereas the Non-Annx I countries need to step up their initiatives to cleaner and alternative sources of development.
When implemented the Credit system can also be a source of trade for Annx-I and Non-Annx I economies. If a NA-I economy decides to go for Kyoto Protocol implementation since it would have a large Carbon Credit, this can be sold off to Annx I countries in terms of money/other aid.
The Kyoto protocol is currently under a big debate and contested by policymakers and politicians and even some of the groups.

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Not so Strong Criticism

Recently I've been accused of being phoney and of the likes of "People who don't walk their talk", by my very own good friend. This is not a defending act, I agree to some extent there are a lot of things which I don't do. And I would not stop posting about Going Green,criticism simply would give me more strength. I don't understand, why people want role models. I don't really understand why people don't discuss/understand things like saving energy/water/environment; but expect it should be stringently Practiced by those who profess it. To give clarity to the issue I'd elaborate. I am frequently posting status-messages, which mostly talk about Going-Green. A few of my friends take notice, and a very few discuss it. I'm happy with the latter lot ;), as I get to evaluate self on those parameters. Of lately I professed about try using a bucket-n-mug for bathing, rather than taking a shower, which would save a lot of water. My friend hacked me down by saying I lie, i accepted, but the fact remains I used to do that, until it was change of weather. Earlier also he took me down on a status-message for vehicle pooling. I checked that too, but don't think someone is ready to pick me up from my place/share vehicles., I'm ready though :). This wont stop me to spread/create awareness in simplest of forms, I think am making a difference, but do you-all at the least try? I pray that I do, and you-all also...

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Green Week

I work for an IT Company, which recently had a global address by the CEO. I was surprised that one of the agenda for the IT global address was not Profit/targets/Sales but "Going Green". I was happy at-last our Corporate sector is thinking Big when it comes to contributing its part in global terms. The initiative the CEO discussed was reducing the direct impact on environment, by shutting down a few of the servers. Actual figures are in a few thousand servers, ofcourse they did put on a load balancing before risking :) . They considerably reduced the Carbon Footprint and managed to reduce the power consumption by a huge margin. Going on the same lines, my company professed a practice of "Green Week". This week highlights employee contribution and awareness, by organizing full-day events. The events are aimed to target Paper usage, power usage, Water usage culminating with planting of trees. I think it is absolutely wonderful concept, where the Employer has shown the footsteps, and employees imbibe the green concepts and practice them. I hope it is not just the spurt, but people would carry forward it in their daily life and aid Mother Earth.

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Green Buiz

Have been reading about some green buiz stuff on the net. To my surprise quite a few are really simple and ingenious.
We all thought that a parking lot created in open spaces, just provides parking. Here's what is amazing , a company provides solar panel fitted shades!! This results in a better parking and an energy powerhouse :).. Kudos!!!
Paris the city of romance, has one of the best solutions for traffic jams n pollution. The city transit system supports over 20,000 electric Scooters for individual transportation and that to it is FREE for 1/2hrs. Once the time limit exceeds the individual lending it is automatically charged some amount on registered Credit-Card. What's more? If you like the scooter n don't intend to return... they'd give it to you for just 150Euros ;).
I'm delighted to know n write this....Well what's your say?

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Green Facts to start with!!

Every week about 20 species of plants and animals become extinct!

		Rainforests are being cut down at the rate of 100 acres per minute!
		One-third of the water used in most homes is flushed down the toilet.
		A single quart of motor oil, if disposed of improperly, can contaminate up to 2,000,000 gallons of fresh water.
		Plastic bags and other plastic garbage thrown into the ocean kill as many as 1,000,000 sea creatures every year.
		A modern glass bottle would take 4000 years or more to decompose -- and even longer if it's in the landfill.
		Recycling one glass bottle saves enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for four hours
		Energy-saving lightbulbs last around ten times longer than ordinary lightbulbs- over 10,000 hours. .
		A laptop is more environment friendly than a desktop. It consumes five times less electricity.
		An aluminum can that is thrown away will still be a can 500 years from now!
		A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. Shade provided by trees can also reduce your air conditioning bill by 10 to 15 per cent.
		Tissue paper is a major source of waste. It takes 60,00,000 trees to make 1 year's worth of tissues for the world.
		A ton of recycled paper equals or saves 17 trees in paper production.
		A plant on your desk acts as a natural filter, absorbing airborne pollutants and computer radiation while replenishing oxygen levels.
		Lawns only need watering once a week, post rain only after two weeks. Do watering early morning for minimal evaporation and water conservation.
		Crawling traffic contributes eight times as much air pollution as traffic moving at regular highway speed.
		Avoiding just 10 miles of driving every week would eliminate about 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year!
		Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth and soaping your hands. This can save around 16 litres a day. That's 11,000 litre of water per person per year.
		A dripping tap can waste over 20,000 litres of water every year.

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Green Precursor

Hi habitants of this Holy Earth, my green greetings to all. One must be thinking that this is one more page blabbing about going green or some Eco-freak stuff. Yes, this is about going green, n is Eco-freak stuff !! What's more is that it doesn't promise to be anything more; but am sure the way this would be presented might change our mindsets. I foresee this as a religion or a cult, not overwhelmed with frenzy of stupid beliefs, but practical ones. Thoughts that might just give our children a better world and this ecology a chance to recover. This would be what I consider "A small green step - a big breath for All Kinds" :) .... I might sound a bit crazy, but this is something I long waited to profess. Maybe just maybe I'd put my contribution to our Mother Earth. Your comments would be fruitful n nourishing....

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