Climate change is likely to be the defining issue of the 21st century.
Climate change has large consequences for everyone: sea levels rise, heavy rainfall, drought, heat waves, and new diseases such as dengue.
Software plays a major role, both as part of the problem and as part of the solution. A large part of the massive growth of energy consumption in the past few decades is due to the manufacture and use of computing and communication technologies, and the technological advances they make possible. Energy efficiency has never been a key requirement in the development of software-intensive technologies, and so there is a very large potential for efficiency improvements.
How can we, Keelings Knowledge, as experts in fresh produce software technology, and as the creators of future software tools and apps, apply our knowledge to the challenge of climate change?
- Know and value your information – why have 3 screens of data when 1 suffices
- Deploy enhancements within regular software updates
- Empower business information systems and knowledge management tools that allows for effective decision making
- Create user-friendly and task-appropriate interfaces
- Coding with energy consumption in mind
Below are some easy tips for you to implement in your business to help combat climate change;
- Power aware computing, including better management of power in all computer systems, from mobile devices to cloud computing services
- Optimise power consumption by adjusting all devices for greater efficiency. Operate in low power mode
- Unplug electronic devices when they aren’t in use and switch off lights
- Choose a green energy supplier
- When you are looking for new hardware / software / appliances, make sure to check the energy star label. This will give you a good indication on the energy usage and efficiency of the device
- Go paperless where possible
Although individual energy saving adjustments may seem inconsequential, small steps become great leaps when multiplied by 7.7 billion people (current world population as of 17/10/2019). Why delay until tomorrow what you can start today?
Think change, think Keelings Knowledge
