Via Technologies takes aggressive stand on green computing

Via Technologies introduced its initiative for 'green computing' in 2001.
With this green vision, the company has been focusing on power efficiency
throughout the design and manufacturing process of its products. Its
environmentally friendly products are manufactured using a range of
clean-computing strategies, and the company is striving to educate markets on
the benefits of green computing for the sake of the environment, as well as
productivity and overall user experience.

Carbon-free computing

One of Via Technologies' ideas is to reduce the 'carbon footprint' of
users-the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon
dioxide (Co2). Greenhouse gases naturally blanket the Earth and are responsible
for its more or less stable temperature. An increase in the concentration of the
main greenhouse gases-carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and
fluorocarbons-is believed to be responsible for Earth's increasing temperature,
which could lead to severe floods and droughts, rising sea levels, and other
environmental effects, affecting both life and the world's economy. After the
1997 Kyoto Protocol for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change, the world has finally taken the first step in reducing emissions. The
emissions are mainly a result of fossil-fuel-burning power plants. (In the US,
such electricity generation is responsible for 38 percent of the country's
carbon dioxide emissions.)

Via promotes the use of alternative energy sources like solar power, so power plants wouldn't need to burn as much fossil fuels

Via aims to offer the world's first PC products certified carbon free, taking
responsibility for the amounts of Co2 they emit. The company works with
environmental experts to calculate the electricity used by the device over its
lifetime, generally three years. From this data, one can conclude how much
carbon dioxide the device will emit into the atmosphere during its operation.
This estimate will serve as an indicator, and the company will pay regional
organizations for the 'sequestering,' or offsetting, of the emissions.
Offsetting carbon dioxide can be achieved in different ways. One way is to plant
trees that absorb Co2 as they grow, in the region in which the processors were
purchased. The necessary amount of trees per processor is represented by Via's
TreeMark rating system.

In addition, Via promotes the use of such alternative energy sources as solar
power, so power plants wouldn't need to burn as much fossil fuels, reducing the
amount of energy used. Wetlands also provide a great service in sequestering
some of the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. Although they make up
only four to six percent of the Earth's landmass, wetlands are capable of
absorbing 20 to 25 percent of the atmospheric carbon dioxide. Via is working
closely with organizations responsible for preserving wetlands and other natural
habitats, and others who support extensive recycling programs for ICT equipment.

The vendor aims to offer the world's first PC products certified carbon free

Carbon-emissions control has been a key issue for many companies who have
expressed a firm commitment to sustainability. Dell is a good example of a
company with a green image, known for its free worldwide product-recycling
program. Dell's Plant a Tree for Me project allows customers to offset their
carbon emissions by paying an extra $2 to 4, depending on the product purchased.
AMD, a global microprocessor manufacturer, is also working toward reducing
energy consumption in its products, cutting back on hazardous waste and reducing
its eco-impact. The company's use of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology in
its manufacturing, and strained silicon capping films on transistors (known as
'dual stress liner' technology), have contributed to reduced power consumption
in its products.

Solar computing

Amid the international race toward alternative-energy sources, Via is
setting its eyes on the sun, and the company's solar computing initiative is a
significant part of its green-computing projects.