Actor and presenter Waseem Mirza was faced with a dilemma when he realized his perfectly functional phone would no longer receive security updates from Samsung. Feeling frustrated by the forced obsolescence of his device, Mirza sought a solution to extend the life of his phone and reduce the environmental impact of upgrading.
Enter /e/OS, an operating system that breathes new life into older devices by providing security updates and a greener alternative to manufacturers’ software. With over 200 supported devices, including some as old as 10 years, /e/OS offers a sustainable solution for users like Mirza who want to keep their devices running efficiently.
As the tech industry grapples with the environmental impact of software and hardware, initiatives like the Software Carbon Intensity (SCI) specification and the Impact Framework are helping developers measure and reduce the carbon footprint of their creations. Companies like Microsoft, Intel, and Google are leading the charge towards greener software practices.
Despite the challenges of calculating and optimizing software’s carbon footprint, experts like Asim Hussain and organizations like the Green Software Foundation are paving the way for a more sustainable tech industry. With the ICT sector projected to account for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions in the coming years, the push for software sustainability is more crucial than ever.
As the demand for greener technology grows, big firms are starting to prioritize software sustainability in their requirements, signaling a shift towards a more environmentally conscious tech industry. With the potential to decarbonize software more easily than other sectors, the time to prioritize green development is now.
In a world where technology plays an increasingly central role in our lives, the importance of sustainable software practices cannot be overstated. By extending the life of devices, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting energy efficiency, initiatives like /e/OS and the SCI specification are paving the way for a more sustainable future in tech.
