The Spectacle Blog
Computer Cloud Illusions
Looks like Greenpeace finally got off their greenhouse gas kick and has realized that clouds have as much to do with climate changes as anything else.
Looks like Greenpeace finally got off their greenhouse gas kick and has realized that clouds have as much to do with how climate changes as anything else.
Wait — check that. They say cloud computing is leading us down the path towards catastrophic global warming:
In a study issued Tuesday, environmental organization Greenpeace said the computing “cloud” powering the Internet is becoming a major source of pollution, as companies build data centers powered by coal, according to a Reuters report from Monday.
The study (PDF) singles out a Facebook facility that relies on a coal-powered utility, along with Apple’s North Carolina data center, also powered by coal.
According to Reuters, in the report Greenpeace concludes that “the last thing we need is for more cloud infrastructure to be built in places where it increases demand for dirty coal-fired power.”
The organization also points to Microsoft, Yahoo and Google as having data centers that rely on “heavy” use of coal power.
That’s right, another polluter demon has been unleashed from the pit of corporate hell: Big Internet.
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http://spectator.org/blog/2010/03/31/computer-cloud-illusions
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bluecollarbytes| 3.31.10 @ 8:44AM
This is good news. I've been waiting for environ-Mentalists to get all riled up over "tech" as a major source of CO2. How about all those cutsie internet gadgets that let folks pollute with abandon? Has anyone done a spreadsheet on FaceBook related destruction of the planet? And every casual Tweet must be considered an unthinking uncaring selfish indulgence at the expense of those of us who fear a colorless gas's shadow.
Jeff Perren | 3.31.10 @ 10:29AM
Viro-pagans have been Luddites since the beginning of the movement in the mid-19th century. The recent PBS Ken Burns documentary on the National Parks is filled with evidence for that conclusion.
Dan Miller| 3.31.10 @ 12:25PM
I initially thought Greenpeace's complaint was an April Fool joke. It wouldn't surprise me that Greenpeace tacticians would be ignorant of what cloud computing really is.
Then I read your whole item, and realized Greenpeace wasn't joking. The anti-technology strain in G'peace's mission is even more reprehensible than I imagined. They know what cloud computing is...and they're agin' it.
Let's all go back to slide rules and file cabinets.
michael e| 4.1.10 @ 3:39PM
Some time ago Greenpeace crossed over the line...they are no longer environmentalists....now, they are just MENTAL.
Pingback| 4.20.10 @ 3:47PM
Steynian 408nd « Free Canuckistan! links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Just Search | 12.16.10 @ 11:36AM
Obviously greenpeace don't understand what cloud computing is or they would understand how much more eneregy efficent it is that more traditional forms of computing.