IT Specialists

Overview

• Workforce: 654,000 workers (cio.com, 2019)
• Job description: IT specialists “manage the network and server infrastructure of a company… computer systems and electronic data, development and implementation of customised systems and overseeing all computer-related activities.” (Indeed)
• Work footprint: 
  • Energy use
  • E-waste

Top Climate Actions:

1. Ask your vendors about their sustainability initiatives
2. Use hardware for as long as possible
3. Recycle and dispose of e-waste responsibly
4. Learn about vampire energy and reduce energy use

Climate Action Benefits:

• Workers: Learn new skills, make well-informed decisions
• Businesses: Save money on hardware and energy costs
• Social & environmental:
  • Conserve resources
  • Reduce toxic e-waste
  • Reduce embedded carbon & energy emissions

Action 1: Ask your vendors about their sustainability initiatives

Companies are working hard to create a positive brand image. You can encourage them to act more sustainably by inquiring about their sustainability initiatives as a customer (or potential customer). It takes genuine, persistent interest from customers, for companies to be incentivized to follow through on their sustainability promises.

Every interaction with a vendor is an opportunity to nudge them towards climate action.

🌳Advanced Action: Move your organization to a sustainable procurement process.

Here is an example of an email that we sent:

Action 2: Reduce E-Waste

Electronics contain toxic materials like mercury, lead, and cadmium. When it is thrown away, the electronic waste, or e-waste, breaks down and is released into the environment. E-waste is the fastest growing solid waste stream, and it accounts for about 70% of the hazardous waste in landfills. In some regions, like New York City, it is illegal to dispose of e-waste with trash or recycling.

Ways to reduce e-waste:

1. Buy new devices only when you need to. Repair or upgrade devices. Repurpose devices for different uses (for example, a laptop that has become too slow for the latest design software can still be used for basic word processing and administrative applications.
2. Donate electronics to a school or nonprofit. Find a local organization in need or try Human-I-T or TechSoup’s refurbished computer donor program.
3. Resell, recycle or trade in old devices. Check with manufacturers to see if they have a recycling program. Often they will offer product discounts for future purchases. Microsoft | Apple | Dell | EPA electronics recycling list
4. Advocate for policies that extend that longevity of devices.
   1. Join the Repair Association (repair.org), a group that advocates for “repair-friendly policies, regulations, statutes, and standards at the national, state, and local levels”
   2. Support Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws that require manufacturers to support recycling & collection. Learn more at the Product Stewardship Institute’s electronics page.

Learn more:

• The World Has an E-Waste Problem, Time
• The United States has a colossal e-waste problem, digitaltrends
• Why IT asset management should include sustainability, TechTarget
• IT Asset Disposition Tip Sheet, SIMS Lifecycle
• E-Waste Is a Cybersecurity Problem, Too, IEEE Spectrum

Action 3: Reduce Vampire Energy

Vampire energy, also known as phantom energy, is the electricity that is used by appliances and electronic devices when they’re in standby or sleep mode.

In office settings, energy used by plugged-in devices, like computers, printers, and copiers, account for 25-30% of a building’s total energy consumption, on average. Vampire energy is responsible for 30% of the plug load and can be reduced significantly by following the tips below. The US General Services Administration estimates that a facility with 500 workstations could save $125,000 over five years.

Ways to stop energy vampires:

1. Disable screensavers on all laptops and monitors.
2. Use timers and schedule devices like TVs and NAS devices to power down after office hours or when not in use. Advanced power strips are another way to control outlets.
3. Ask your equipment vendors how to reduce energy usage during maintenance and repair visits.
4. Use energy-efficient devices, like Energy Star Certified Products, to minimize vampire energy loss.
5. When purchasing devices, consider the lifetime operating cost (monthly operating cost x product lifespan) in addition to the purchase price. The energy-efficient device is often less expensive.

For more ideas, see Eight ways to reduce phantom load costs by Joe Liu, Director, Sales Strategy & PMO, International Sales Org at Lenovo (2018).

Resources:

• Eight Ways to Reduce Phantom Load Costs, Joe Liu
• Plug Load FAQ: Best Practices, USGSA.gov
• ‘Vampire Energy’ Is Sucking the Life out of Our Planet, Wired
• Complete Guide to Vampire Power, Payless Power
• Energy Vampires: Keep Your Devices from Wasting Energy and Money, NRDC
• Vampire Voltage in the Office, Interior Architects

Action 4: Discuss climate risks in your business continuity plan

If your office avoids talking about climate change because it seems irrelevant to the business or it’s perceived as too political, try using business continuity (BC) planning or disaster recovery (DR) planning to introduce the topic. You can help your workplace see the connection between climate and business. The planning projects are also an opportunity to seek out other workers who are concerned about climate, since you will have to talk to people in multiple departments.

The next time you work on business continuity or disaster recovery, make sure to:

1. Research climate risks for your location(s). States at Risk is a good place to start.
2. Learn how to prepare for climate hazards. Ready.gov has Hazard Information Sheets and other materials.
3. Estimate the costs of extreme weather over time.
4. Include this information when you talk to stakeholders, and when you create and share the plan.
5. Find others who are concerned about climate.