Filthy Computing

My twaddle detector says this doesn’t sound right:

A medium-sized server has a similar carbon footprint to an SUV running at 15 MPG.

This is just one of several scary assertions in a publication called Digital-Lifestyles, claiming that the IT industry has an environmental impact rivalling that of the airlines. I don’t have the facts to refute theirs, but when I read something like this I do wonder about the level of research they put into writing the article:

One interesting example of a bad guy, is the Government through their policy of extending the period of time that data has to be retained for. Obviously data retained for longer will need to be hosted for longer, thus requiring power to maintain it.

Yes, that’s how data storage works. Personally, I have my punch cards and data tapes and DVDs all hooked up to a giant UPS powered by an infinite army of hamsters on hamster wheels.