In the world of high technology, it is an accepted rule of thumb that computing technology undergoes a revolution about every 7 years. If we agree that the Internet was launched 14 years ago and that today we operate on its third iteration, then the math holds.
One of the most influential companies which relies on the Internet for their existence, Microsoft, is undergoing its own revolution, into a kinder, gentler giant. Where once it was a tyrannical exemplar of greed gone wrong, now what is known affectionately as the Evil Empire has an undeniable humanitarian streak and earns even greater profits than when it tried to grind each and every competitor into the ground.
In no area is this more readily apparent than the Microsoft environmental initiatives which were begun a decade ago. While much work remains to be done, data center energy efficiency plans and advocacy, among other Microsoft environmental initiatives, have set the standard by which the rest of the high-tech industry should operate.
Here’s a relevant quote from the top executive...
“There’s no question that we all need to work together to reduce greenhouse gases and use natural resources more efficiently. Addressing global warming is a responsibility we take seriously at Microsoft. We don’t make much, physically, but with over 1 billion customers around the globe and 80 thousand employees, we know we have a major role to play in driving environmental sustainability.”
- Steve Ballmer, Chief Executive Officer
Microsoft Corporation
March 3, 2008
Data center energy efficiency plans are a poignant area of involvement because no aspect of computing will see faster growth over the next 7 years than the backbone which runs the Internet and the online applications which reside there. That is why Microsoft environmental issues are so important and today, significant executive leadership is brought to bear on the subject.
Here’s another quote, this time from the person in charge of Microsoft environmental initiatives related to data center energy efficiency plans...
“With Microsoft, and every other [information technology] company you look at, moving to more of a services initiative, data center space is becoming premium. It is becoming a defining and differentiating resource...these things are expensive!
We created 24 weighted criteria of places where we thought data centers should be optimally placed.
Preserving our world and being really thoughtful is really key to Microsoft’s overall strategy.
You can just design servers that use less power. We’re working on our own server design, our own motherboard design, chip design.”
- Debra Chrapaty, Corporate Vice President
Microsoft Corporation
May 1, 2008
In the second part of this thread, I will share with you specific milestones which Microsoft environmental initiatives have achieved, proof that the growth of the Internet can be sustainable, economically and environmentally.
Sustainable Justice For All!
Corbett Kroehler
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