Gauging green

Just how important is the issue of green networking to you?

As site editor I get to see the stats on how many people read our stories on energy-efficient computing and networking, and the results are often disappointing. You see, it feels like environmental concerns are a hot topic, but when it comes down to it, that buzz doesn't seem to translate into people reading stories on the topic.

From a macro perspective, the issue looms large. Energy costs are high; we are all affected by that. Events like the recent Live Earth try to put the issue into focus, with messages telling us to buy compact fluorescent light bulbs squeezed in between pop music numbers.

On a micro level, we see the IEEE developing a standard for Energy Efficient Ethernet, and we see analysts like the folks at Nemertes Research calling for new data center metrics that take energy use into account, and we see the European Union mandating purchases of Energy Star-compliant office equipment.

So it would seem like the movement is picking up steam. And maybe you are thinking you (and your company) could do more to reduce energy use in your networks and data centers and help save the world. Or maybe you are guided by a less altruistic instinct, and you're thinking you (and your company) could do more to reduce energy use and save a few bucks.

But I'm not seeing a matching interest in stories that address that topic. What do you think? Are we just paying lip service to the larger discussion about saving the environment, or are we getting serious about reducing energy use? If so, how? Let me know in e-mail or in a response to this article online.

Jeff Caruso is site editor at Network World.