Enhancing The Effectiveness of Green Computing Technology 1

ENHANCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GREEN COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY

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 Enhancing The Effectiveness of Green Computing Technology 2

Abstract

The research proposal focuses on green computing, a topic that has been generating

concerns worldwide. Noticeably, the research proposal starts by giving background information

on the subject before laying out its aims and objectives. What follows is a literature review on

the topic. The literature review is used to find out what other researchers and scholars have done

about green computing and what they recommend as barriers and ways of overcoming them. The

methodology is also laid out, and it spells qualitative research and use of secondary data as the

primary methods. In conclusion, the researcher provides the limitations as well as

recommendations about green computing.

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background Information

The modern century has seen increased use of technology as the world gears towards

enhancing the effectiveness of the same. It is important to note that judging by the benefits that

humanity is gaining from technology, many individuals are skeptic to the fact that technology

could be leading to adverse effects in the globe (Weiss, R. & Schneider, J., 2014, 44). The

research’s aims and objectives are geared towards gaining an understanding of what green

computing is, barriers to its enhancement, and how they can be overcome in a bid to reverse the

detrimental effects of computing.

Notably, green computing has become a major topic in the digital world. This is in the

wake of increased concerns that technology is becoming an active contributor to the global

carbon emissions. For instance, technology contributes up to 2% of the carbon emissions

worldwide (Statista, n.d). With the increasing rates of technology use such as 24% of teenagers
 Enhancing The Effectiveness of Green Computing Technology 3

who are reported for being online regularly (Lenhart, A., 2015), it is only right that to assume

that if the harmful effects of technology are not curbed, then there are worse days ahead. The

methodology aims at using qualitative research and information from secondary data to embark

on the problem. However, despite limitations such as finance and time, the study was successful,

and it is recommended that people should learn how to dispose of computing equipment well

while large companies such as Google that have large data centers should upgrade to 3D circuits.

In the end, the responsibility of green computing is not only for the governments and

organizations but also for the average person.

1.2 Research Aims

1.2.1. The research aims at finding ways in which technology is leading to climate change. With

a clearer understanding of these, the researcher will go on to discovering how the adverse effects

of climate change on technology can be reduced.

1.2.2 Define green computing and how it relates to the strategies set for combating climate

change.

1.2.3 Identify the existing barriers of green computing and how these can be overcome in order

to achieve the intended benefits

1.3 Research Objectives

1.3.1 To find out how technology is affecting climate change.

1.3.2 To find out the existing barriers to computing technology.

1.3.3 To find out how the current barriers can be overcome to achieve the intended financial

benefits.
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1.4 Research Questions

What are the existing barriers to green computing technology and how can this be

overcome to achieve the intended purpose of reducing the rates of climate change?

2.0 Literature Review

Technology has been described as the most critical asset of the 21st century. Nothing can

be further to the truth. It is now evident that technology has become an inherent part of day to

day life if the extents to which it has penetrated in human life are anything to by (Turkle, S.,

2017, 119). For instance, it is estimated that 24% of teenagers are constantly online while in the

workplace, organizations and equally companies are using technological advancements such as

computers and automation to enhance development (Lenhart, A., 2015). With the harmful effects

of climate change starting to be felt all over the world, it has become essential to ensure that all

industries aim at combating the same. In 2012, the surface temperature of the earth reached 0.94

Celsius which is warmer than the 20th century’s average (Statista, n.d). These high temperatures

are attributed to increasing floods, reduced Arctic ice as well as droughts that have become a

signature of global climatic events (Statista, n.d).

For one, technology has been credited for affecting climate negatively through increased

carbon emissions. A significant rise in carbon footprints as a result of increased technology use

has been credited for being the primary reasons as to why technology is beginning to be more of

a curse than a blessing (Saha, B., 2014). At the moment, global carbon emissions resulting from

technology have grown up to 2% of the total emissions (Statista, n.d). In basic terms, green

computing is the use of technology in such a way that it either reduces or stops the negative

results of climate change. According to Murugesan (2008), green computing is the study and

practice of designing, manufacturing, using, and disposing of computers, servers, and associated
 Enhancing The Effectiveness of Green Computing Technology 5

subsystems such as monitors, printers, storage devices, and networking and communications

systems efficiently and effectively with minimal or no impact on the environment. This brings

out the notion that for sure, green computing pertains to the use of technology in such a way that

it leads to environmental conservation without eroding the benefits that humanity is acquiring

from it.

To find out how green computing can be enhanced, it is essential to realize the barriers

that hinder the same. For one, it is necessary that computers are cooled well enough if its

emissions are to be reduced (Soomro, T. & Sarwar, M., 2012). This has proved to be a problem

as cooling of computers is becoming even more expensive. Another barrier is in the improper

disposal of Personal Computers (PCs) (Saha, B., 2014).This is especially so in developed

countries: It is estimated that the US population discards 9.4 million tons of electronics every

year. With only 12.5% of this being recycled, there is need to revamp green computing (Moyer,

J. & Hughes, B., 2015).

Notably, relevant stakeholders should support green computing by finding ways of going

around these barriers. For one, populations all over the world should be educated on climate

change on why it has become a pressing issue (Joe, V. et al., 2015). Indeed, combating climate

change should not only be portrayed as a mission for governments and Non-Governmental

Organizations (NGOs) but should instead be redefined to be that of every person in the globe

(Joe, V. et al., 2015). Notably, cheaper and more efficient means should be used to cool off

computers and other technological equipment (Moyer, J. & Hughes, B., 2012). This is because

carbon emissions resulting from technology are especially enhanced by overheated equipment

such as servers, PCs, data centers for big companies such as Google, and even smartphones

(Moyes, J. & Hughes, B., 2012). Increased overheating of computing equipment is attributed to
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the rush of seeking to do so much from smaller circuits (Saha, B., 2014). This can be sorted out

by aligning circuits with 3D networks and grid as opposed to the current 2D (Saha, B., 2014).

The functioning of the human brain inspires the concept of using 3D systems, and if this is done,

then green computing stands to win from not only reduced emissions but also cut electricity costs

(Joe, V. et al., 2015). However, since everyone is part of the technological growth, it is the role of

each person to ensure that they contribute to green computing in various ways such as proper

disposal of computing equipment.

3.0 Methodology

The research will use qualitative methods including research of secondary data to assess

the impacts, barriers and ways of improving green computing. Qualitative analysis will be vital

as the researcher seeks to have an in-depth understanding of the problem. The qualitative study

will involve conducting interviews and focal discussions about green computing. The main aim

of the qualitative research is to understand how knowledgeable the public is about green

computing. This will assist in creating a plan on the ways of enhancing green computing from

the grassroots level. Notably, the qualitative research will also aim at educating the participants

on the benefits of green computing and how they can contribute towards the practice.

Secondary data will also be used to gain a holistic understanding of the problem and

where the current green computing efforts stand. Notable credible and trusted publications such

as academic journals, relevant books, surveys, research findings and information from

recognized organizations will be used in the study. It is crucial to note that without a

comprehensive understanding of the impending problem and what is being done to solve it, the

researcher will not have a starting point.

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In the end, the methodology aims at not only gain an understanding of the problem but also use

this knowledge to make defined conclusions and recommendations about how green computing

can be improved. To make sure that each person and equally organizations know the role that

they play towards improving green computing.

4.0 Conclusions

4.1 Introduction

In conclusion, the research aims and objectives are geared towards finding out how green

computing is defined, the barriers hindering it, and what experts and equally the public can do to

encourage it. These factors lay the grounding framework that the researcher will use in the

research process. For one, a literature review was done to find the existing knowledge about

green computing. This pertains to how technology is contributing to climate change through

carbon emissions, where the world stands at green computing and the proposed ways through

which green computing can be enhanced.

The extents to which technology is contributing to daily life cannot be underestimated.

This is echoed by present findings which indicate that there are even fears that technology will

start changing the culture and notably normal behavior of human beings. The research adopts the

definition of green computing as being the study and practice of designing, manufacturing, using,

and disposing of computers, servers, and associated subsystems such as monitors, printers,

storage devices, and networking and communications systems efficiently and effectively with

minimal or no impact on the environment. In simple terms, green computing is the use and

disposal of technological equipment in such a way that it encourages reducing environmental

degradation. It is evident that technology contributes to 2% of carbon emissions globally. These

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findings led to the increased need for finding out how the public, government, and other

stakeholders can contribute towards enhancing climate change. Another barrier revealed in the

literature is that many people are practicing inappropriate disposal of technological equipment

such as PCs, a factor that is encouraging climate change and hindering green computing. One of

the proposals is to reduce the number of carbon emissions from computing equipment by finding

cheaper and more efficient means of cooling them. This is because especially large companies

search as Google has data centers that emit large amounts of heat which consequently release

carbon emissions into the atmosphere. If this is done in addition to encouraging proper disposal

and recycling of computing equipment such as PCs and smartphones, then the world will have

made significant strides in green computing.

The methodology to be used in the research will be qualitative and assessment of

secondary data. Secondary data such as that from notable publications and academic journals

will be necessary for finding out the efforts made in green computing, barriers and what needs to

be done to improve the process. The qualitative study will help to get a comprehensive

understanding of the problem. In the end, the research proposal provides significant insights into

green computing including what the normal person can do to enhance climate change through

proper use and disposal of technological equipment.

4.2 Limitations

In addition to the successes and findings presented, the research was not without its

limitations. There was little time allocated for the study. This proved to be a problem as the

researcher had to rush to keep up with the deadline. This is a problem since in a bid to conduct

comprehensive research about a particular topic; there is need to take all factors at hand in a

rather smooth pattern filled with academic rigor. This can only be done if there is enough time.
 Enhancing The Effectiveness of Green Computing Technology 9

On another side, there were financial restrictions as the researcher was on a limited budget. The

budget was supposed to cater for the interview, focal discussions and other factors about the

qualitative research. In the end, the study was, however, successful despite these limitations.

4.3 Recommendations

It is important to note that one of the main aims of the research is to identify the barriers

of green computing and find ways of conquering these so as to encourage the environmental

benefits from it. From the research proposal, there are two main recommendations; first is from

an individualistic perspective and second is from a macro perspective. Individuals need to be

educated on how improper disposal and use of their personal computing equipment such as

smartphones and PCs are contributing to climate change. They should also be taught on how they

can contribute to the same as well as the role that different stakeholders such as governments and

businesses have to ensure that this happens.

From a macro perspective, different organizations have to embrace the fact that 2D

circuits are leading to high carbon emissions due to overheating. Notably, introducing 3D circuits

that are inspired by the brain has proved to be essential especially for large companies such as

Google and Apple whose data centers have high heat emissions. This will not only encourage

green computing but also lead to reduced electricity costs.

5.0 List of References

Statista, n.d. Global climate change - Statistics & Facts. [Online] Available at:

www.statista.com/topics/1148/global-climate-change. [Accessed 23 May 2018].

 Enhancing The Effectiveness of Green Computing Technology 10

Lenhart, A., 2015. Teens, social media & technology overview 2015. Pew Research Center.

[Online] (updated 9 Apr. 2015) Available at: www.pewinternet.org/2015/04/09/teens-social-

media-technology-2015. [Accessed 23 May 2018].

Murugesan, S., 2008. Harnessing green IT: Principles and practices." IT professional 10(1), pp.

24-33.

Saha, B., 2014. Green computing. International Journal of Computer Trends and Technology,

14(2), pp. 46-50.

Joe, V., Deeve, V. & Narmatha, K., 2015. Study on benefits of green computing. International

Journal of Current Research, 7(4), pp. 14442-14445.

Soomro, T. R. & Sarwar, M., 2012. Green Computing: from current to future trends.

International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 6(3), pp. 326-329.

Moyer, J. D. & Hughes, B. B., 2012. ICTs: Do they contribute to increased carbon emissions?

Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 79(5), pp. 919-931.

Weiss, R. & Schneider, J. P., 2014. Closer together, further apart: the effect of technology and the

internet on parenting, work, and relationships, Carefree: Gentle Path Press.

Turkle, S., 2017. Alone together: why we expect more from technology and less from each other,

New York: Basic Books.

6.0 Appendices