energy consumption...

it's been a while since updating the blog because of a full and festive holiday season and before that the tying of many loose ends in Jamaica. I'm at home safe and sound not really sure of anything except the present, at least at the moment...

Anyways, here's something to think about - the global IT industry generates as much greenhouse gases as the world's airlines. That's about 2% of the world's greenhouse gases.

From the TIMESONLINE, "Performing two Google searches from a desktop computer can generate about the same amount of carbon dioxide as boiling a kettle for a cup of tea, according to new research. While millions of people tap into Google without considering the environment, a typical search generates about 7g of CO2 Boiling a kettle generates about 15g." (to read the whole article: http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article5489134.ece)

Computers, the internet and modern communications devices all require electricity. Electricity can be generated a number of ways, but most commonly (at least in Alberta) is generated by coal or natural gas, which are heavy CO2 emitters.

This week, the big 3 auto companies in North America have all been touting their new electric cars, full of touch screen gadgets to maximize convenience. I'm not sold on the idea yet. (http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-fi-batteries13-2009jan13,1,642793.story)

Here's a mouthfull; unless the non-renewable energy (coal, natural gas, etc.) used to generate the electricity required to charge the all important batteries used to operate the cars for a certain distance is less than the amount of energy (gas or even ethanol) that goes into operating a gas guzzler, then it's not worth it. There would be less smog of roadways, which would be nice for pedestrians and bikers; however, that smog would now be transferred over to electricity generating plants. Cleaner cities - yes, but more filthy industrial zones. The net difference for our global environment would ultimately be the same.

If they use less natural resources in the big picture, then that's real progress. I haven't heard that info in the papers yet though, so if anyone comes across it, send it over!
d.