Reducing The IT Sectors Carbon Footprint

ACS Green ICT with Michael Smith, 21 November 2007, Canberra. The rapid growth of the IT industry means that the IT sectors greenhouse gas emissions are rising. Michael will discuss how the IT sector’s carbon footprint could be dramatically reduced with energy efficiency savings for computers, servers, datacenters, and telecommunication technologies:

Australian Computer Society

Green IT Special Interest Group

November Canberra Meeting

Topic: Reducing The IT Sectors Carbon Footprint

Speaker: Michael Smith, Research Director, The Natural Edge Project

Venue: Australian National University, Room N101, Computer Science Building, North Road, Canberra
Date: Wednesday 21 November 2007
Time: 5:30pm drinks/nibbles for presentation 6pm-7pm
Event Prices: Free.
Registration: Not required
Announcement: http://education.acs.org.au/mod/resource/view.php?id=3723

Summary

The rapid growth of the IT industry means that the IT sectors greenhouse gas emissions are rising. Michael will discuss how the IT sector’s carbon footprint could be dramatically reduced with energy efficiency savings for computers, servers, datacenters, and telecommunication technologies. In May 2007, IBM committed US$1 Billion dollars per year to make IT infrastructure more energy-efficient. Michael argues that major global IT employers like IBM are going to be looking for graduates with training and skills in this area and that there is potential to improve energy efficiency standards for information technologies. He will also outline research and training programs needed for energy efficiency in the IT sector.

About the Speaker

Michael Smith is Research Director of the The Natural Edge Project and a Visiting Fellow at ANU. He is currently developing an online “Engineering Sustainable Energy Solutions” training program with Griffith University, ANU with partners such as Engineers Australia. The project is funded by CSIRO’s Energy Transformed Flagship and the National Framework for Energy Efficiency.

He has a double major Science degree in Chemistry and Mathematics from the University of Melbourne with honours at the University of Sydney. Michael recently submitted his Ph.D at ANU on "Advancing and Resolving the Great Sustainability Debates". Michael has been involved with the development of many environmental sustainability research and education programs through his role with The Natural Edge Project.

About ACS Green IT

The ICT Environmental Sustainability Group ("Green IT") brings together professionals interested in balancing economic and environmental aspects of information technology and telecommunications. It is a special interest group of the Australian Computer Society. The group aims to hold joint meetings with other professional bodies interested in technology, the environment and sustainability. Sign up now to get updates on ICT and the environment.