Environmental Impact
Impact of Computers
Negative Impact
As of 2017, it is estimated that two billion computer systems are in use in the world. These systems require energy. While one individual system may not need much energy to operate, two billion systems require vast amounts of electricity.
Positive Impact
Although computer systems use energy, they can be used to create intelligent systems that control and limit the energy use of other devices. Intelligent systems include:
Heating systems
Traffic control
Car management systems
Intelligent Systems
Intelligent systems are devices and other hardware which perceive and respond to the world around them. There are many ways that intelligent systems can have a positive environmental impact.
Heating Systems
Intelligent systems will only heat a home when necessary.
Can switch off heating in specific zones/rooms if sensors detect that there is no-one there.
Can switch off heating when everyone has left the home.
Can detect when a homeowner is within a certain distance/time from home and switch heating on at the optimum time.
Can adapt heating settings by monitoring and responding to external weather conditions.
Can adjust heating based on historical patterns of data.
Traffic Control
Intelligent systems work to reduce traffic jams because cars that are stationary or stop/starting consume greater amounts of fuel.
Use sensors, cameras and computer software to maximise traffic flow.
Navigation systems on cars can be used to detect traffic jams and re-route the driver away from the congestion.
Car Management Systems
Built into cars to improve performance and have a more positive environmental impact.
Start-stop systems detect when the car is not moving and shut down the engine until the driver presses the accelerator or clutch.
Sensors are used to control the engine's air/fuel ratio to achieve the optimum fuel consumption and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
