There aren’t a lot of green hosting services out there. A couple. But a lot of companies that call themselves green are “green” in name only. These so-called “green” companies often buy energy credits from other companies. Energy credits are like currency. They’re issued by the government and each company is given a certain number of green credits. So far so good.
However, many company’s maintain a low carbon dioxide presence. They don’t need all of the credits they receive from the government and, do you know what? They can sell these energy credits on the open market to other companies : some of which call thefivem hostmselves “green hosts” though these hosting services are drawing up as much juice as ever.
Yeah, they’re technically green but in practice, they’re still causing the carbon dioxide that affects us all. So, what is a true “green host? inches Well, it begins with the core values of the company.
Green Corporate Culture Good corporate citizenship is an important part of any business brand. That’s why big companies associate themselves with charitable organizations, fund raising, scholarships or grants and other benefits delivered to their communities or service areas. This is a a valuable thing. The people benefit from donations of cash or blood (corporate blood banks have grown in popularity) and the companies that sponsor these community-centered events develop good will.
That’s a good thing. But many companies are broadening their efforts at good corporate citizenship by going green : using less energy and shrinking their carbon dioxide presence.
For a host, this is a MAJOR change in corporate culture. Web hosts draw up energy faster when compared to a kid sucks of a shake. Web hosts employ sheet after sheet of servers, everyone of which requires energy to get those web sites out there onto the W3. So, establishing a green approach to corporate culture is a huge undertaking for a business that relies heavily on electricity to service its client base and keep all those published web sites on line 24/7/365. Web servers don’t banned. They never sleep.
So, the first thing to look for when choosing a green host is to investigate site text carefully. A company can call itself green and still pump toxins into the atmosphere : as long as they’ve purchased enough carbon dioxide credits from another company. A real green host doesn’t just talk the talk, it walks the walk by taking steps to truly dissove its carbon dioxide presence by using less energy.
Energy Star Servers Start with asking questions. The first question to ask is, “Are your servers “Energy Star” approved. You see the action Star symbol on appliances like stoves and dishwashers. Now you’re seeing it on computers and, yes, servers which are only big harddisks.
Does your green host use Energy Star approved servers? They cost a little more but they use not so energy. In the long run, the hosting company actually saves money on energy costs, but the mobile behind the purchase of energy Star servers isn’t a financial consideration.
It’s built to the core values of the green host. So, before you sign a long-term contract with a host, contact the company (the good ones provide a toll-free number), talk to a representative and enquire if the host employs Energy Star servers. If it does, you’re dealing with a company that puts zapping carbon dioxide before zipping up profits.
Energy Generation Next question: how is the energy used to power your company’s servers generated? If you get an “ummm…. ahhhh…. well, inches move on. Green web hosts are pleased with their commitment to the environment and they’ll be glad to elucidate the sources of the action employed to power their servers.
The actual green hosts employ carbon dioxide fairly neutral sources of energy : energy that is not generated by traditional coal or gas dismissed furnaces and old, out-dated generators. These energy sources pump tons and tons of pollution into the air, making the air dirtier and dirtier today, tomorrow and as far as they eye can see (or can’t see).
Wind turbines generate electricity renovating wind into electricity with no toxic residue. Other sources of carbon dioxide fairly neutral energy include solar power, which is becoming more sound every day with advancements in solar tech, and deep-core earth energy sources that use a long series of water lines to generate warm or cold water instead of heating or cooling water the old fashioned way.
Avoid web hosts that are still drawing juice from the grid. You don’t gain anything and, for sure, future generations don’t gain anything. In fact, by using a green hosting company, you make a positive statement about your company corporate values : you value the health and well-being of the planet and the people who live here. Would you powerful statement to make, whether you sell office supplies on-line or clothes on Main Street. Tell the world, tell your prospects, that you value a greener environment in what you may do.
Responsible Discretion of Equipment You may not know it however your computer is loaded with toxic heavy metals : mercury in your monitor, cadmium in your motherboard and highly deadly residue from the harsh acids used to etch rounds boards. This stuff will kill you if you don’t dispose of it responsibly.
Wow, you might be inclined to dump that old monitor at the town landfill. It’s only one monitor, right? But what if thousands of old, outdated monitors land in thousands of landfills around the world?
Over time, those heavy metals make their way into the ground water where they’re carried underground and may well land in YOUR well. Your source of drinking water for the entire family.
Responsible discretion of computer equipment is essential to protecting the planet from further harm. Much of this material can be recycled and used in new computers. So outdated equipment can be stripped of circuits and other parts, cleaned and rebuilt from scratch.
Now imagine a hosting company that runs hundreds, even thousands of servers. Parts tire. Servers become outdated and need to be replaced. A green host takes this outdated equipment and gets rid of it responsibly, in a fashion that NO heavy, toxic metals ever make their way into our fragile water supply.
Indeed, this costs the hosting company more money than hauling outdated equipment to the local landfill, but contains that have, as part of their corporate culture, “green” as a centrepiece, take measures to lessen the flow of dangerous toxins into our water supply.
So Is your Green Host REALLY Green? It may say it’s green. It may even brag about its use of solar or wind generated power. But if that company doesn’t employ “cradle-to-grave” green practices, your host isn’t as green as you’re being led to believe.
A green host buys energy efficient servers. It runs those servers with carbon dioxide fairly neutral energy sources. It uses cold water that’s constantly cooled and recycled to keep the temperature of those servers in the acceptable range.
When parts tire and are replaced, the old parts are recycled for use again and again instead of leaching toxins into our water supply in five or 10 years. It all begins with a green corporate mindset. It starts towards the top with a commitment by host operators to improve the planet’s health.
So ask you host a host of questions: do you employ Energy Star equipment? Do you use power from carbon-neutral sources? How is the office powered? How are the servers cooled? How is old, outdated equipment disposed of?
If you don’t like the answers you get, you won’t like working with that host. Further, a green hosting service wants Your site visitors to recognize your commitment to a cleaner planet today and in the future so most offer an emblem you can display on your web site : an emblem that proudly proclaims that your site is published by a green corporate culture….