Turn that computer off! Now!
In the UK, The Independent newspaper has reported that:
One in five white-collar workers told a national survey that they left their computers on at least three times a week, wasting more than £100m of electricity every year.
According to the PC Energy Report, power stations generating the electricity emit 200,000 tonnes of carbon a year - equivalent to the exhaust fumes of 120,000 4x4 cars. Switching off would save as much pollution as from all the cars in a city the size of Liverpool.
Shockin, eh? But think about it - how many times have you walked through a business precinct on a dark evening. There's no one left inside the hives of glass, concrete and seel except security personnel and workaholics. Entire floors are ablaze with light and screen "savers". Absolutely unnecessary. I know there's a rumour floating around for years - that the effect of starting up your PC in the morning used more energy than leaving it on overnight - an argument I could never see the logic of.
So, people, let's shut down those PCs...
The Independent: Office workers who leave computers on all night 'add to global warming' »
Greenpeace UK blog on climate change at the 2006 Labour conference.
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Comments
It's crazy, I'm usually so much after energy-wasting, but I had never thought about computers left on.
I have a question that might sound stupid, but since I had never thought about it before, here goes : If my computer goes to sleep by itself after 20 minutes, do I really contribute that bad to global warming, or can I keep going the way I always do?
Posted by: Juliette | October 8, 2006 12:23 PM
It's crazy, I'm usually so much after energy-wasting, but I had never thought about computers left on.
I have a question that might sound stupid, but since I had never thought about it before, here goes : If my computer goes to sleep by itself after 20 minutes, do I really contribute that bad to global warming, or can I keep going the way I always do?
Posted by: Juliette | October 8, 2006 12:23 PM
Hi Juliette - I guess it all depends on how much 'to sleep' it goes. I'm no expert on this, but as far as I can see, the the best option is to *know* there's no power at all running from the wall to the computer.
If you're using a laptop, it may not even be enough just to switch it off while leaving it plugged in - ever notice how hot the power pack gets?
As I say, I'm not really qualified to comment on this, but I'll try and look into it further.
Posted by: dave | October 8, 2006 1:39 PM