Just turn it off



Author: 

Date: July, 1993

Keywords: energy power consumption electricity environment health
pollution

Text:
Research has shown that the majority of the time that the United
States' 30 to 35 million personal computers are on, they are not
actively being used. In addition, 30 to 40 per cent are left running at
night and on weekends. Computer equipment is now the fastest growing
private-sector use of electricity. Computers alone are believed to
account for five percent of commercial electricity consumption and may
account for 10 percent by the year 2000.
If you are one of those who leave them on after you're done, it would
be a big environmental benefit if you would turn it off when you're not
using it.  It only takes a second or two to do. Also, the majority of
the power your computer uses is not consumed by the computer itself,
but by the monitor.  If you can't turn the computer off, then please
just turn off the monitor.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has formed an alliance with
computer manufacturers to promote the introductionof energy-efficient
PC's that ''power down'' automatically when not being used and thus
reduce the air pollution caused by power generation. These new
computers will save enough electricity to power both Vermont and New
Hampshire and save up to $1 billion in annual electricity bills. Look
for the special EPA ''Energy Star'' logo when you buy computers. They
should be available in one to two years. 
According to the EPA studies, the energy saved will prevent CO2
emmissions of 20 million tons annually, the equivalent of the annual
emissions of five million automobiles. Also, emissions of 140,000 tons
of SOx and 75,000 tons of NOx emissions will be avoided; these are the
major pollutants responsible for acid rain.
Please do your part. Be responsible. If you're not using it, then just
turn it off.
This anonymous message was posted on the Internet with instructions to
distribute it freely. Its sources are listed as the 1993 ''Information
Please'' Almanac, page 573, and the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's ''Environmental News.''

Copyright © july, 1993 by Date: July, 1993