Green hosting or eco-friendly hosting is Internet hosting which involves green technologies to reduce environmental impact.
Green hosting includes Carbon offsetting, powering a data center directly with renewable energy, planting trees, plants and grass around and overData Centers and more day-to-day activities such as energy conservation and the use of energy saving appliances.[citation needed] Green hosting utilizes green marketing which focuses on green consumers and their concern about the environment.
World Internet usage statistics show that the Internet is still rapidly growing in the U.S.[1] and growing from 400 to 1000% a year, worldwide. In fact, the total electric bill to operate those servers and related infrastructure equipment was $2.7 billion in the United States and $7.2 billion worldwide.[2]a web server on average produces more than 630kg of CO2 and consumes 1,000 KWh of energy annually. A green host on the other hand, theoretically produces zero CO2. It is estimated that if energy consumption due to web hosting keeps raising at the current rate by 2020 the industry will be polluting the planet more than the airline industry.[3] With so much demand on resources, eco-friendly hosting services have emerged.
Hosting sites that contain a Green-E certification labels are organizations that voluntarily adhere to strict environmental guidelines. A green organization doesn't necessarily have to have access to green power from wind, water, or solar energy, they can also purchase green certificates to offset the use and cost of conventional energy.[4]
A hosting organization or any organization can reduce their environmental impact by:
- Using low-voltage computer equipment
- Augmenting active cooling with outside air during mild weather (see Free cooling)
- Improving airflow through servers which would allow operators to use higher cooling temperatures
- Upgrading Computer Room Air Conditioners (CRACs) and other HVAC components with more efficient units
- Isolating cold air from hot air produced by the servers to improve loading of the HVAC equipment (which improves efficiency)
- The use of energy efficient lighting and occupancy sensors in the building
- Purchasing Renewable Energy Credits or producing renewable energy directly
- Contributing to other Green organizations that promote energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy, or sustainable practices.
