Computer sector cooperates to save energy.

• Author: Herro, Alana
• Position: EYE ON EARTH

More than 35 organizations, including computer manufacturers, chip makers, environmental groups, energy companies, retailers, and government agencies, have joined together to promote greater energy conservation in computing. In June, they launched the Climate Savers Computing Initiative (CSCI), an effort to reduce computer power consumption by 50 percent by 2010.

The alliance will set high standards for energy-efficient computers and components and encourage adoption of this equipment by businesses and individuals. It will also promote greater use of power management tools that turn computers off or switch them to low-power modes during periods of reduced activity. Dell, Google, IBM, Microsoft, Pacific Gas & Electric, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the World Wildlife Fund are all among the initial signers of the agreement.

"Today, the average desktop PC wastes nearly half of its power, and the average server wastes one-third of its power," according to Urs Holzle, senior vice president for operations at Google. "The Climate Savers Computing Initiative is setting a new 90-percent efficiency target for power supplies, which if achieved, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 54 million tons per year--and save...