Efficient Computer Use Can Help Save the Planet

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, May 29 /PRNewswire/ --     Our use of PCs and other IT products has a significant impact on the
climate. The impact worldwide equals that of the entire aviation sector. A
more efficient use of IT products and climate friendly purchases of new
equipment could reduce the climate impact by more than 80 per cent, according
to a new study by TCO Development.

(Logo:
)



"The 1000 million computer monitors that are in use all over the world
generate 53 million tons of CO2, and need as much electric power as the
yearly consumption of Sweden (10 million citizens). This clearly shows that
the use of IT products has a negative impact on the environment, but also
that by changing the way we use these products, we can be part of the
solution," says Haakan Nordin, Project Manager for Climate and Environment at
TCO Development.

TCO Development lists three easy steps that everyone can take, and that
taken together could reduce the climate impact from computers with more than
80 per cent.

- Choose computer equipment based on power consumption in active mode. An
energy efficient desktop PC uses up to 65 per cent less energy than a
standard desktop PC. If energy efficient notebooks are compared with advanced
desktop PCs used for CAD/CAM the difference is over 1,000 per cent.

- Activate energy settings on your computer. 65 per cent of the CO2
emissions are attributed to computers that are not turned off or do not have
energy save functions activated. The simplest solution is to use notebook
computer settings, even when using a desktop.

- Turn off your computer when not in use. User studies show that an
average office computer is turned on, but not in use, more than 50 per cent
of the time.

"If we change our ways of using IT equipment, and make full use of all
the environmental features of this technology we can reduce CO2 emissions
without any impact on our daily lives," comments Haakan Nordin.

TCO Development - The TCO certification system makes it easy to choose IT
and office equipment that is designed for the benefit of both the user and
the environment. The TCO certification is internationally recognised and
products bearing the TCO label can be found throughout the world.

More information: http://www.tcodevelopement.com