Internet-age technology giants on June 12 joined environmentalists in a campaign to dramatically cut the amount of electricity wasted by computers. Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, Intel and IBM are among more than two dozen firms and organisations behind Climate Savers Computing Initiative, a drive to cut greenhouse gas emissions with more energy-efficient computers and components.
"Today, the average desktop PC wastes nearly half of its power, and the average server wastes one-third of its power," said Google vice president of operations Urs Holzle.
"We are asking businesses and individuals throughout the world to join with us to institute better power management of their computing equipment and purchase energy-efficient computers."
Climate Savers' goal is to cut electricity wasted by computers to 10 percent, thereby reducing greenhouse emissions from power production by millions of tons annually and saving billions of dollars in energy bills. People can sign up to be part of the initiative online at www.climatesaverscomputing.org.
The website provides information about new efficient machines and how standard computer features such as sleep and hibernate modes can be used to cut energy use by as much as 60 percent.
The initiative is an extension of the World Wildlife Fund's Climate Savers program in which companies work to reduce their "carbon footprints," the amount of global warming gas they release.
"This is the first time our Climate Savers program has been applied to an entire sector, engaging manufacturers, retailers and consumers," said WWF senior vice president John Donoghue.
"We are pleased to join these industry leaders to provide solutions to address climate change."
The roster of energy companies, Internet firms, computer producers, chip makers, retailers, and environmental groups involved in the campaign is to be formalised in coming weeks. Among the supporters are Starbucks, Hitachi, eBay, Fujitsu Limited, Advanced Micro Devices, and Dell.
Intel senior vice president Pat Gelsinger predicted that by 2010, the initiative will cut greenhouse gas emissions in an amount equal to removing more than 11 million cars from the road, calling it "a significant step."