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Computers and Sustainability

Computers and Sustainability. Anna Nalepa December 8, 2009. What is sustainability. Sustainability is the focus on preserving the world's natural resources for future generations. A fully sustainable industry would be one that has zero impact or a positive impact on the environment.

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Computers and Sustainability

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  1. Computers and Sustainability Anna Nalepa December 8, 2009

  2. What is sustainability • Sustainability is the focus on preserving the world's natural resources for future generations. A fully sustainable industry would be one that has zero impact or a positive impact on the environment

  3. Importance of Sustainability “Sustainability is meeting the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” -Gary Langenwalter, author of Life Is Our Ultimate Customer

  4. Profitability and stock values increase Better financial performance and expands career opportunities People prefer to work with environmentally sustainable operations Communities support companies who care about long term health and the environment Reduce operating costs Maintain loyal customers and long term relationships with suppliers Reducing risk Increase efficiency Waste minimization Steady work flow Improve process control Improve factory communication processes Positive Effects of Sustainability

  5. How Computers Affect the Environment • 76% of the US population owns a desktop PC or laptop • Average life span is 3-4 years • Life span for laptop is lower as they break easier

  6. How Computers Affect the Environment • Contain hazardous material such as: • Brominated flame retardants (BFRs), • Lead • Cadmium • Selenium • Mercury

  7. Eric Williams, a professor at the Arizona State University, believes that the best way to minimize the impact of computers would be to extend their life cycles instead of urging consumers to purchase newer, supposedly less power-hungry systems on a regular basis. He argues that while only 20% of a PC's total energy consumption comes from using it, a whopping 80% comes from manufacturing it in the first place.

  8. What is being done? • No US federal law • State Law in California called the California’s Electronic Waste Recycling Act (EWRA)

  9. What can you do? • http://www.epeat.net/ • http://www.metaefficient.com/computers/the-greenest-pcs-of-2008.html

  10. Conclusion • Sustainability requires the following: • A new way of thinking • Improvements in efficiency • Maintaining social responsibility

  11. References • Electric Product Environmental Assessment Tool's (EPEAT) website • http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=CO • Tree Hugger article from Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles • http://www.metaefficient.com/computers/the-greenest-pcs-of-2008.html

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