5 Strategies for a More Sustainable Cloud

Humans are primarily responsible for the issues contributing to climate change. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how to improve to ensure more sustainable systems. Since smartphones and their accompanying cloud storage are the new normal for everyday citizens, it is essential to examine what cloud companies are doing to reduce their carbon footprint and utilize cloud technology sustainably. There are several ways cloud companies can reduce their negative environmental impact. 

• Make Changes to Hardware

Creating machines that run virtually, rather than physically, is one way to make cloud systems more sustainable by changing the hardware. Virtual machines use software to function like a real computer, but greatly reduce the energy needed to run.

Modern data storage devices help reduce energy by being more efficient than older models, so simply updating a company’s devices can have a significant impact. Writing code that requires less processing power and storage also makes cloud systems more sustainable.

Cloud companies that implement artificial intelligence into their energy models can also yield positive results if they do so sustainably. AI is known to have harsh environmental impacts if left unchecked, but certain AI systems can calculate how to use energy more efficiently, thereby reducing a company’s carbon footprint. It is essential to examine the sustainability of the AI provider, as using a system that pollutes the environment to reduce pollution would be counterproductive.

• Create Sustainable Cooling Strategies

Data centers need constant processing and cooling to function, so it’s no surprise that they consume an estimated 200 terawatt-hours annually, more than some countries’ total electricity consumption. This can significantly impact the cloud’s carbon footprint, so sustainability measures must be implemented to mitigate the negative effects.

There are innovative ways to decrease the amount of cooling processes required. Sometimes, it is as simple as setting up the necessary equipment to run a cloud service in a cooler environment. Companies can also make the process more sustainable by switching to a more environmentally friendly type of energy for cooling. Methods like geothermal, solar, wind or water energy are all sustainable solutions that make the constant cooling process easier on the environment.

Companies also employ some more advanced cooling systems, including direct-to-chip cooling and immersion cooling. These methods involve absorbing or removing heat earlier to reduce the amount of cooling needed later in the energy process.

• Optimize Energy Through Delegation

While AI can be used to delegate energy efficiency tasks, certain calculations can be performed without the need for AI. Sharing services over networks can be a helpful method. If someone is using the network all of the time, then it decreases the need for multiple networks and reduces the carbon footprint. 

Other methods include shifting workloads to shorten their completion time and reducing network traffic to minimize energy consumption. These strategies keep the cloud system running while also being mindful of the amount of energy used. Cloud companies can also eliminate unnecessary data, thereby lowering storage needs and reducing their carbon footprint.

• Reuse Equipment When Necessary

A significant amount of waste is caused by discarding old equipment once it breaks or a new model becomes available. Reusing old equipment when possible is a sustainable method because it gives it a use beyond polluting the earth in a landfill. The equipment may not be capable of what it once was, but companies that try to find new purposes for the equipment itself or its components contribute to sustainability goals and waste reduction. 

• Prioritize Transparency

When researching whether a cloud company is sustainable, it is essential to focus on its transparency. Does it advertise its sustainability practices on its website? Its carbon footprint might be publicly available. Look for ways in which the company is transparent about its energy usage and sustainability efforts. This will ensure that customers make the right choice about where to store their data in the cloud.

The Cloud’s Sustainable Path Forward 

The cloud’s environmental impact is a critical concern. However, proactive and innovative strategies can help mitigate it. By implementing hardware changes, embracing sustainable cooling methods, optimizing energy use through delegation, reusing equipment, and prioritizing transparency, cloud companies can reduce their carbon footprint. 

Consumers should seek out and support companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, ensuring that the convenience of cloud technology doesn’t come at the expense of the planet. The future of the cloud can be green, but it requires a conscious effort from both providers and users.