Frugal Computing -- On the need for low-carbon and sustainable computing and the path towards zero-carbon computing
2023/03/12 by Wim Vanderbauwhede, Vanderbauwhede, Wim · 7 voices · 1 citation
Computer Science · Business, Management and Accounting · #ICT in Developing Communities #Innovation and Socioeconomic Development
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2303.06642
Abstract
The current emissions from computing are almost 4% of the world total. This is already more than emissions from the airline industry and are projected to rise steeply over the next two decades. By 2040 emissions from computing alone will account for more than half of the emissions budget to keep global warming below 1.5^∘C. Consequently, this growth in computing emissions is unsustainable. The emissions from production of computing devices exceed the emissions from operating them, so even if devices are more energy efficient producing more of them will make the emissions problem worse. Therefore we must extend the useful life of our computing devices. As a society we need to start treating computational resources as finite and precious, to be utilised only when necessary, and as effectively as possible. We need frugal computing: achieving our aims with less energy and material.
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Discussions
- grateful for this--->"Frugal Computing: On the need for low-carbon and sustainable computing and the path towards zero-carbon computing" #slowmedia arxiv.org/abs/2303.06642 [bsky, 30 points, 2 comments]
- arxiv.org/abs/2303.06642 gives the numbers as follows: 72% of the greenhouse gas impact of a smartphone comes from making it, 52% for a laptop. keep your devices going as long as you can! [bsky, 6 points, 1 comments]
- "As a society we need to start treating computational resources as finite and precious, to be utilised only when necessary, and as effectively as possible. We need frugal computing: achieving our aims [bsky, 4 points, 0 comments]
- 'The current emissions from computing are almost 4% of the world total. This is already more than emissions from the airline industry and are projected to rise steeply over the next two decades.' arx [bsky, 3 points, 1 comments]
- The current emissions from computing are almost 4% of the world total. Wim Vanderbauwhede's research emphasizes the need for mindful device use, extending their life to curb emissions and preserve o [bsky, 2 points, 0 comments]
- Much obliged. [bsky, 1 points, 0 comments]
- “Frugal Computing – On the need for low-carbon and sustainable computing and the path towards zero-carbon computing” The single most impactful thing you can do is use your devices for longer. (I upgr [bsky, 0 points, 1 comments]
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