Computers And The Environment Understanding And Managing Their Impacts

Personal computers have made life convenient in many ways, but what about their impacts on the environment due to production, use and disposal? Manufacturing computers requires prodigious quantities of fossil fuels, toxic chemicals and water. Rapid improvements in performance mean we often buy a new machine every 1-3 years, which adds up to mountains of waste computers. How should societies respond to manage these environmental impacts? This volume addresses the environmental impacts and management of computers through a set of analyses on issues ranging from environmental assessment, technologies for recycling, consumer behaviour, strategies of computer manufacturing firms, and government policies. One conclusion is that extending the lifespan of computers (e.g. through reselling) is an environmentally and economically effective strategy that deserves more attention from governments, firms and the general public.

Computers in Earth and Environmental Sciences: Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies in Hazards and Risk Management addresses the need for a comprehensive book that focuses on multi-hazard assessments, natural and manmade hazards, and risk management using new methods and technologies that employ GIS, artificial intelligence, spatial modeling, machine learning tools and meta-heuristic techniques. The book is clearly organized into four parts that cover natural hazards, environmental hazards, advanced tools and technologies in risk management, and future challenges in computer applications to hazards and risk management. Researchers and professionals in Earth and Environmental Science who require the latest technologies and advances in hazards, remote sensing, geosciences, spatial modeling and machine learning will find this book to be an invaluable source of information on the latest tools and technologies available. Covers advanced tools and technologies in risk management of hazards in both the Earth and Environmental Sciences Details the benefits and applications of various technologies to assist researchers in choosing the most appropriate techniques for purpose Expansively covers specific future challenges in the use of computers in Earth and Environmental Science Includes case studies that detail the applications of the discussed technologies down to individual hazards

The sociology of hazardous waste, risk, and disasters is a relatively new discipline. This book focuses on hazardous and toxic wastes releases, industrial toxic disasters, contamination of communities and the environment, and the subsequent adverse health effects among exposed populations

Information technology is a powerful tool for meeting environmental objectives and promoting sustainable development. This collection of papers by leaders in industry, government, and academia explores how information technology can improve environmental performance by individual firms, collaborations among firms, and collaborations among firms, government agencies, and academia. Information systems can also be used by nonprofit organizations and the government to inform the public about broad environmental issues and environmental conditions in their neighborhoods. Several papers address the challenges to information management posed by the explosive increase in information and knowledge about environmental issues and potential solutions, including determining what information is environmentally relevant and how it can be used in decision making. In addition, case studies are described and show how industry is using information systems to ensure sustainable development and meet environmental standards. The book also includes examples from the public sector showing how governments use information knowledge systems to disseminate "best practices" beyond big firms to small businesses, and from the world of the Internet showing how knowledge is shared among environmental advocates and the general public.

Colorful bracelets, funky brooches, and beautiful handmade beads: young crafters learn to make all these and much more with this fantastic step-by-step guide. In 12 exciting projects with simple steps and detailed instructions, budding fashionistas create their own stylish accessories to give as gifts or add a touch of personal flair to any ensemble. Following the successful "Art Smart" series, "Craft Smart" presents a fresh, fun approach to four creative skills: knitting, jewelry-making, papercrafting, and crafting with recycled objects. Each book contains 12 original projects to make, using a range of readily available materials. There are projects for boys and girls, carefully chosen to appeal to readers of all abilities. A special "techniques and materials" section encourages young crafters to try out their own ideas while learning valuable practical skills.

For many outside of the scientific community, big data and the forms it takes, such as statistical lists, spreadsheets and graphs, often seem abstract and unintelligible. This book investigates how digital fabrication and traditional making approaches are being used to present data in newly engaging and interesting ways. The first part of the book introduces the basic premise of the data object and the concept of making digital data into a physical form. Contributors cover topics such as biometrics, new technology, the economics of data and open and community uses of data. The second part presents a selection of exemplar forms and contexts for the application of data-objects, such as smart surfaces, smart cities, augmented reality techniques and next generation technical interfaces that blend physical and digital elements. Making Data delivers the importance and likely future prevalence of physical representations of data. It explores the creative methods, processes, theories and cultural histories of making physical representations of information and proposes that the making of data into physical objects is the next important development in the data visualisation phenomenon.

Green computing is the study and practice of minimizing the environmental impact of computer system and related resources effectively and eco-friendly. It is an emerging concept towards reducing the hazardous material and save our environment from the harmful impacts of the computer, CPU, servers and other electronic devices. Green computing is basically concerned with the Computers when they are manufactured, used and disposed with no side effect on environment. Use of computer plays a vital role in our environment pollution. In this era 70 percent of energy is consumed by our computers which are not in properly used and is still turned on and that consumed energy is main reason of co2 emission. So now there is a big need to save our environment and live a healthy life. Power efficiency of use and manufacture are design issues. To recycle computers, they must be manufactured to facilitate recycling. To fully enable reduced power consumption, the components must be designed to consume power proportional to the amount of useful work done. Computer technology can be used to facility energy efficiency in other areas. For example, telecommuting could save huge amounts of fuel. Also, using software to power manage buildings has proven significant savings. CMOS CPU power usage can be calulated by the number of transistors that switch. Because of scaling, static power consumption is a significant problem which represent wasted power. Reducing power in data centers must address the cooling issue. Running systems at higher temperatures increases energy costs and reduces reliability. Data centers which can avoid active cooling or use more efficient sources of power are able to reduce the total power consumed. The book covers theory of Introduction to Green Computing, Reducing the IT Footprint, Computing Technology for Energy Efficiency of other Physical Systems and Major Green Initiatives.