Despite Copenhagen, IT companies getting 'greener'

It’s become quite apparent that world leaders aren’t going to save the planet. Not this week anyway. That would be a reasonable conclusion if you are following the climate change summit taking place in Copenhagen and wrapping up on Dec. 18th.

But hope still flourishes regardless, as long as individuals and companies act together.

This week Amsterdam-based EvoSwitch, operator of climate neutral data centers, reported that it has reduced energy consumption by a further 10 percent. This is a win-win situation as Eric Boonstra, Managing Director of EvoSwitch explains: "Significant energy savings will, in the near future, be a prerequisite for data centers to remain in business, and a necessity for customers in order to keep their IT infrastructures affordable. IT infrastructures generally use huge amounts of power, unlike green data centers such as EvoSwitch.”

Little things still matter, as we all know. There are everyday actions that seem trifle but in the grand scheme makes a difference. For example, a Tampa Bay Web development company, Magnetic, outlined a simple yet effective green strategy that makes sense and empowers its employees to act in an environmentally-conscious fashion.

Magnetic has had a paperless office since 2007 and also recycles computer hardware. It continues to monitor office refuse and now implements recycling bins for paper, plastic, glass, and metal. They have reusable glasses and mugs instead of disposable plastic cups. XLerator hand dryers are located in the restrooms which not only reduce paper towel usage by up to 95 percent, but they also use 80 percent less energy.

Magnetic President Jennifer Bakunas said: "Our Company always strives to improve our community. Environmental stewardship allows us to better our world, both now and for the future."

That's what it will take to save the planet. World leaders might be wise to deal with the task at hand with such practical approaches.