More educators view cloud computing as energy-saving option

More than half of K-12 respondents said budget is a barrier to broader green computing initiatives.

An annual survey of different industries, including K-12 and higher education, reveals that attention to energy efficiency and “green” computing is increasing—although barriers such as cost still prevent complete implementation in some cases.

The fourth installment of CDW-G’s annual Energy Efficient IT Report changes course slightly in order to identify solutions that survey respondents said offer the most potential in energy efficiency, taking into account their cost, support requirements, and technical feasibility.

The survey included about 152 respondents from each of several industries: the business/nonprofit sector, the federal government, state and local government, higher education, and K-12 education.…Read More

New federal program promotes ‘green’ school policies

A new federal program will recognize schools that are creating healthy and sustainable learning environments.

As the “green” movement sweeps across the nation, prompting citizens to buy organic produce and reduce their energy consumption, schools are following suit with lesson plans that teach students how to value environmental resources and with practices that save energy—and money. Now, a new federal program will honor and encourage these efforts.

The U.S. Education Department (ED) created the Green Ribbon Schools program to recognize schools that are creating healthy and sustainable learning environments and teaching environmental literacy. The new awards program will receive support from the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“Preparing our children to be good environmental citizens is some of the most important work any of us can do,” Education Secretary Arne Duncan said at an event announcing the new program. “It’s work that will serve future generations and quite literally sustain our world.”…Read More