I am a pessimist.

[sarren]

I read/watch scientists presenting us with facts about dying coral reefs, species going extinct, extreme weather events etc, and assuring us earnestly that if only we reduce our greenhouse emissions by x amount the planet will be able to recover and I look at them and think, not even you believe that anymore, but you have to keep on trying.

However, I totally realise that I am a pessimist. I keep having conversations with angriest that go:

Me - THE PLANET IS DOOMED!!!
angriest - No, people will come to their senses in time to fix it and the planet will recover.


But because we have to keep on trying, on the offchance I'm not the last person here to know all this shit already Make Your Home Climate Clever.

Excerpt -

Screensavers don't save energy: switch the monitor off or use power management settings to control it.

A laptop computer used five hours each day generates around 40 kilograms of greenhouse gas each year. Desktop computers used the same way can generate between 200 and 500 kilograms.

More than half of the energy used by computers is from using the monitor. An LCD panel monitor generates around half as much greenhouse gas as a conventional monitor. And adjusting its brightness lower can cut emissions to a quarter.

Comments

[dr-mickey-k.livejournal.com]

I see where you are coming from, but I worry that often the cost to the environment of producing these things is not taken into account. If everyone switches to a new laptop from their desktop these things have to be manufactured and transported, ditto new monitors. Laptops are designed to be replaced entirely whereas desktops can be upgraded without discarding the whole thing. Obviously there are very valid ways to save energy, I just worry when they are then linked to further consumption

I am not trying to pick a fight or anything so sorry if this comes across as critical, and the point about screen savers etc is valid, although if you really want to save energy etc then governments really need to look at industry, rather than small sacrifices from individuals. I often worry that we are led into a false sense of security. 'I am doing my bit by turning off the monitor' distracts us from lobbying for the changes that will be needed to make a big difference to the environment.

Sorry I guess at heart I am in the 'we are all doomed' camp as well and perhaps this post reflects that :)

[zebra363.livejournal.com]

Good tip about turning off the monitor, even if you don't want to completely turn off the computer.

If you come across whether extra power is used in turning the whole computer back on, and if so how much and when it's offset by the power saved in turning the machine off at the switch, let me know. Eg. if I'm away from the computer for an hour, is it better to turn the whole thing off or just the monitor?

[victorian-tweed.livejournal.com]

Thank you for posting this :-)

[sarren.livejournal.com]

Clearly people shouldn't just switch over, but it's something to be considered when it's time to make a purchase. Also, once the desktop has a few things go wrong, or is superceded most people are going to buy a new one.

Also, I'm aware that the community contributes only 20% to greenhouse emissions. However, it's the only part we can influence and every bit counts. However, lobbying governments also very good. Go forth!

[sarren.livejournal.com]

I'll let you know if I do, though my guess would be turning off would be better.

There's a bit about how it's better to turn off the engine to your car if you are waiting for a few minutes rather than leaving it running, that the wear and tear is 'negligible'.

[caitlen.livejournal.com]

Wow, I feel heaps better about having an iBook now. And instead of getting Mum a new computer, I passed on my old one to her.

*adds to her Enviro-good list*

[caitlen.livejournal.com]

I, too, get paranoid about us wrecking the planet and think that the planet is doomed on a rather regular basis.

I thought I'd tell you that I read a really good hint the other day, about naturally air conditioning your home by putting up pergolas on the east, west & north sides of your home, with deciduous plants (like a wisteria) on the pergolas, to provide shade in the summer (can lower the temperature up to 10 degrees) and warmth in the winter (when the leaves have gone away).

:)

I'm always thinking of greeny things. I can't wait to get my own house so I can implement them all!

[kremmen.livejournal.com]

If you do leave a computer running all the time, you can always have it running part of some useful scientific research, such as one of the projects on World Community Grid (http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org/), rather than just sitting wasting power for no reason.

[sarren.livejournal.com]

Do you do it? It sounds good, too good. I am a suspicious and paranoid person and wonder what the catch is.

[kremmen.livejournal.com]

All my Linux machines (which is most of my computers) run it, except laptops. There's no catch, except for your computer's CPU being worked when you're not using it and for the usual potential problems of instability and security that come with running any program at all if you're running Windows. There are heaps of grid computing projects around, giving researchers in many areas a pool of computing resources. One of the more common client programs is BOINC, which lists some of the project sites here (http://boinc.berkeley.edu/projects.php). I went for World Community Grid because they are a non-profit which has had a few projects involving trying to map or cure aspects of genetic diseases.