A new report linking Apple’s iPad, which debuts Saturday, to global warming has prompted debate among environmentalists about the true planetary impact of these mobile devices.
The report by Greenpeace, an environmental activist group, says the iPad’s fun features — streaming video, downloading music and books — rely on “cloud-based computing” in which vast amounts of data are stored at data centers for instantaneous retrieval.
The power consumed by these data centers and telecommunication networks will more than triple in a decade, according to the report, “Make IT Green.”
[...]
Computing accounts for a bit less than 3% of U.S. energy usage but cars are the single largest contributor to climate change, writes Alex Steffen of WorldChanging, a sustainability blog, citing government data.
“If Greenpeace really wants to get up in people’s grill about something that needs to change, it should start with their cars,” says Steffen, a self-described Greenpeace supporter. He also argues mobile devices like the iPad can ultimately save energy by allowing people to work and shop from home.
“according to Greenpeace:…
Wake me when someone credible writes something.
This blog story reminds me of a video here on this blog about a huge server/data center. It was fascinating and made me understand that even low-energy computers are not as green as they seem.
I tried to find it but couldn’t… anyone have the link?
They must be talking about all the hot air Apple inspires.
This is stupid beyond measure. It’s an April Fools joke… Right??
Somebody wanted to hitchhike on all the iPad overhype and create a little press (i.e. increase donations).
I remember when I worked at a large telecom equipment mfg, every nite the data center printed out pallets paper for inventory, parts, accounting, etc. It was printed out on paper because you could not look this up in real time. Now this info can sit in a server, available all the time, so the amount of printouts is vastly reduced. And, by the way, all those printouts then had to be shredded before discarding because they contained proprietary info. Now one large off-site data center can replace 10 on-site computer centers with all their ancillary needs.
If you believe in man-made climate change, and as a tech responsible for the unbelievable amount of electronics I have to figure out a way to dispose of yearly, the answer is yes.
As for me, I am more worried about the manufacture of cheap disposable electronics and it’s effect on the service industry.
I LIKE to fix things. It pays the bills and is good for the economy. Fuck You China.
>> DJ said, on April 2nd, 2010 at 4:52 pm
>> This is stupid beyond measure. It’s an April Fools joke… Right??
Before you completely condemn this report, tell me… how much power is being consumed by these data centers?
I didn’t read the report, did you?
It’s some serious power — that I’m sure of.
On a process/Watt basis, some of the most efficient computers are in data centers.
Of course, power consumption has only recently become a measure of data center performance. Google has done a lot of research in data center efficiency.
I sure hope so. I’m cold.
Society is developing a central nervous system. Remember that in the human body, the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) is about two percent of the total weight, but uses twenty-five percent of the energy.
“He also argues mobile devices like the iPad can ultimately save energy by allowing people to work and shop from home.”
An enlarged iPod Touch can be used for work? WHAT?
I read the report, and hated it. Seemed completely opportunistic, and incoherent. I reported on it here:
http://bit.ly/cEuw3i
and here:
http://bit.ly/ciwsG6
I read the report, and hated it. Seemed completely opportunistic, and incoherent. I reported on it. The spam detector here at DU won’t let me post the URLs, so just google strukhoff and greenpeace and you’ll find it.
I suspect that many of the readers here have seen this video, but for those who haven’t enter the following in YouTube’s search box:
“George Carlin – Saving The Planet”
Although humorous, his take on the subject is highly insightful.
#1 It’s a nutball (greenpeace) vs nutball (macfans) fight. What’s not to like?
Isn’t Al Gore on Apple’s board?
What will all the global warming zealots do without their precious technology?
Engineeringwise, as the PowerBandwidth Product goes up, Entropy increases ! The question is how much ? Of course, the level of tech pollution will go up as all those iPads with non-replaceable DEAD BATTERIES will get tossed in landfills !!! When will Congress mandate replaceable, standardized batteries for all these gadgets ?
Thats a good article… would use it and link back.
George also reports:
“Studies have shown that saliva causes stomach cancer. But only when swallowed in small amounts over a very long period of time.”
What if the energy produced to power all those devices is from a source that do not produce any pollution or CO2, like Nuclear.
Oh and yes we can recycle nuclear waste: http://bit.ly/cWKLP0
What if all the waste produced is processed by pyrolysis and recycled 100%.
What if we use the human creativity to solve all those small problems.
What if we used the power of Credit creation to finance those beautiful projects: http://bit.ly/borYz2
All that is possible today, but not from people like Greenpeace.
Greenpeace does not believe in human creativity and thinks all humans are bad and behave like animals.
They even threatens those who are skeptics about the climate.
– Greenpeace blogger threatens climate skeptics: “We know who you are. We know where you live. We know where you work.” http://cot.ag/aTwIc0