Lately I have been pondering the reality that technology has had on the environment.  There is a conventional wisdom that computers have saved enormous amounts of time, natural resources, and energy.  I am starting to gather evidence from a variety of sources that show just the opposite.  Just consider the power implications that are required for current and future.

"In total, electricity to power computer servers and related infrastructure worldwide reached 123 billion kWh in 2005, which is equivalent to fourteen 1,000-megawatt power plants, or 14 typical nuclear or coal-burning plants"  See full article.

Consider that in two years there will be an

"Estimated growth by 2010 in server energy consumption worldwide (excluding Japan) will total another ten 1,000 megawatt power plants"  See full article.

We are talking about 24 @ 1,000 megawatt power plants.  How many planets could these power plants destroy?

Now, take a look at the amount of time, effort, money, and accessories that are involved.  What about your phones, cameras, printers, scanners, memory sticks, external hard drives, speakers, wireless keyboards and mice, optical mice.  Ugh!  How about all of those upgrades that got tossed out in trash? 

How do I begin to come to terms with this environmental impact?  I have a love of writing software that I have fostered since I was in sixth grade.  I do not intend to give it up anytime soon, either as an occupation or hobby.  I am doing something different though and some of the things you can do with little to no changes to your computing style.

• Go to your control panel and set the power settings appropriate to your computing habits.  I mean really, do you need a computer on while you are sleeping?
• Do not print unless you must, and then print in fast draft mode and only from the black ink cartridge.
• Keep items powered off and unplugged if you are not using it.
• Simplest of all is just turn off your monitor when you are not using your workstation, laptop, or desktop.

Consider just for a minute what YOU can do to reduce energy consumption of energy and power consumption.

Be Smart.  Be Aware.  Be.