Computers at the University of California at San Diego have helped scientists predict global warming, but the machines have also added to the problem by sucking up tremendous amounts of electricity. The quandary isn’t unique to UCSD, but that campus has taken a step toward reducing its carbon emissions from computing by joining the Green Grid coalition, which seeks to develop and promote “energy efficiency for data centers and information-service delivery,” according to its mission statement.
In a press release, the university touts its commitment to sustainable computing as seen in its current 80,000-square-foot, “green” expansion of the San Diego Supercomputer Center.
In joining the Green Grid, the university has partnered with some of the biggest names in information technology: Dell, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, and Sun Microsystems all have seats on the organization’s board. —Richard Monastersky
