Energy saving, who me?

So, the Live Planet concerts have come and gone, with all the controversy regarding the 'carbon footprint' of the participants. However, I don't think that was the point. It has made people think more about energy consumption, conservation and so on.

Of course, those of us who surround ourselves with technology use quite a lot, so who am I to talk of energy saving? After all, I have a network of computers at home and all the other usual gadgets. Well I regularly switch off all the devices that are not in use. But that is nothing to do with any new "green movement", it is the way that I was brought up by my parents. I travel by public transport whenever I can (every day to work, apart from when I cycle), have energy saving bulbs throughout the house, and recycle all paper,cardboard, tins and plastic.

Some time ago, I replaced the old computer that was running my firewall (you do have a firewall, yes?). It's power consumption was concerning me, and the fan was getting noisy. So I went out and bought a new router device that has a 4-port hub and wireless device combined. Very easy to plug in and get going and it saves me having two separate devices (hub and firewall) as well as consuming over 300 watts less power.

Two laptop computers have replaced the desktop computers, again with a saving in power, and the family share one printer.

Will I get a new flat screen TV? Nah, they are wasteful on power and would only see my electric bill rise again. Now, a combined DVD and video player, that is a thought. Let's get the booklets out and see their power consumption. can I save anything by getting one device to replace the two of them?


"Be anxiously concerned for the age in which you live and centre your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements" (Baha'i Faith)