Carbon Footprint

There are many benefits in supporting the usage of green technology that deliver the same energy effect as conventional methods. Although the development of green technology has always been criticized as burdensome on consumers’ wallets, the good news is that this is only a short term effect. In the long run, established green technology has proven that its cost will not burn a hole in consumers’ wallets while preserving a sustainable environment.

Yes, it is true that the world has evolved so that we can hardly stay away from plastics or high consumption technology to keep up with the pace of our daily lifestyles. While our intents may be innocent, we still reap the benefits of utilizing these technologies and products. All we need to do now is to buck up our efforts to protect our planet, especially when harmful resources are identified. Since there are alternatives to these harmful materials nowadays, why not switch to using less-hazardous products? We only have one planet to survive on, and our future generation depends on us.

By being a geek you are already doing the earth a favor by cutting down on paper usage, but is that really all you can do? Here are eight tips on how to take being a ‘Green Geek’ to the next level.

1. Charge your gadgets using renewable energy: Geeks need gadgets; gadgets need to be powered in order to function. Although still not widely used, alternatives to the conventional plug-in chargers are already available. Some examples are the dynamo chargers that recharge your gadgets while you cycle (see image above). Besides those, there are also products that can be powered using solar energy, thus requiring less charging. Not only does renewable energy come from clean, non-polluting sources, it also produces significantly lower emissions and does not create waste or green house gases, hence reducing pollution.
2. Buy eco-friendly gadgets: Eco-friendly gadgets abide by certain specifications set by international standards such as Energy Star. This means that the gadgets use 20 to 30 percent less energy compared to other products, in general. By ensuring that the gadgets you buy abide by international energy efficient standards, you are not only doing the earth a favor, but your bank account as well. This is because gadgets with higher energy efficiency use less electricity, thus resulting in lower electricity bills.
   Another way to ensure that your gadgets are energy efficient is by checking their specifications. A feature-packed gadget is more likely to require more energy to operate, resulting in higher power consumption. If you don’t need that many features, you should opt for simpler technology, or if possible, turn off certain features. For example, certain notebooks have an energy efficiency controller that allows for longer battery lifespan when turned on a lower specification.
3. Unplug gadgets from sockets after use: Many people are starting to realize that even when switches have been turned off, electricity meters continue to run if your gadgets are still plugged into the socket. To avoid unnecessary waste, take the extra step of unplugging your gadgets when they are not in use. You will be doing yourself a favor  — power surges from lightning can follow your wiring and burn your gadgets even when they are not turned on.
4. Unplug gadgets once fully charged: When you leave your gadgets plugged into a socket even after they have been fully charged, you are not only digging a hole in your pocket, but killing your battery’s lifespan as well. Even when batteries are fully charged, many chargers continue to charge them slowly, leading to overcharging and electricity waste. This may cause your battery to become overheated or even explode. It also shortens the lifespan of your battery as it will not be able to retain its full charge capacity after that.
5. Buy second hand: One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Sure, in the world of technology, what is considered new today can be old news by tomorrow. Plenty of non-geeky people buy the latest electronic gadgets on impulse, only to sell them in yard sales because they find them too complicated to use. Their loss is your gain. At yard sales, not only will you find good bargains, but you may find vintage gadgets as well — sometimes even collectors’ items that have high resale values. Additionally, you can put your modification skills into work when you find rare pieces that can be fixed onto your own machines, and perhaps even salvage your favorite gadget that has not been working for years. By buying second hand goods, you are bypassing the production needed to make new gadgets, and thus reducing pollution and energy usage. Remember that our buying habits ripple through the environment.
6. Support internet billing: If you’re a geek, chances are that you’re already connected online most of the time. By choosing internet (paperless) billing and shopping online, you save paper and the petrol you would use to go out and do your shopping. You can also choose to receive your daily newspaper and other magazines online.
7. Recycle your gadgets: Before purchasing a new gadget, do some research on the product and its manufacturing companies. Some of these products contain chemical and substances that are harmful to humans and the environment. Additionally, the disposal of most gadgets, especially their batteries, require a lot of energy and resources. Check with the manufacturing company to see if it has a trade-in policy, or if it has a local collection center for used batteries. If your gadget is still in working condition, put it up for sale on the internet. Who knows, somebody might be looking high and low for that particular spare part.
8. Reduce your carbon footprint: To make up for any damage to the environment you have done, you should calculate your carbon footprint on http://www.carbonfootprint.com. The site will provide you with suggestions on how to offset or reduce your carbon footprint. Just making a few small changes like the ones listed above can minimize the environmental damage created by your daily routines.

Guest blogger: Mike Jackson (DIY Guides.com)