Entrepreneurs can help reduce carbon emissions and thus fight global warming. Products and services can use social networking and information technology to reduce emissions. This can be done more rapidly and at lower cost, by using exiting IT infrastructure. Entrepreneurs can learn to estimate the carbon footprint of processes and assess ways to reduce them, by changes to procurement, operations and business processes.
Tom Worthington uses free open source Australia developed e-learning software to teach green technology strategies via the Internet for the Australian Computer Society and the Australian National University at the postgraduate level. He also gives the course material away online as a web pages, as well as selling a paperback book and down-loadable e-book
ICT Greening Public Transport
Akbil
- E-tickets
- online timetables and mapping
- Encourage public transport to reduce CO2
The Istanbul Public Transport System uses the Akbil with a 1-Wire (iButton) smart chip in a small metal can. This is attached to a key fob or credit card, and pressed on a reader at the turn-style to board the train, tram, bus or ferry. Such electronic ticketing systems encourage the use of public transport, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from private cars. This system can be retrofitted to older forms of public transport, such as Instanbul's historic trams and ferries as well as modern Light-Rail Vehicles.
Online services such as Google's trip planner can be used to plot a route by public transport, in much the same way navigation devices in cars are now used. This can be used to replace private car use, as for example to get to this conference.
The ANU uses the Australian developed Moodle open source Learning Management System. This is used to provide forums for students to discuss what they are learning, not just receive content prepared by teachers. This also teaches students how to use the same online collaboration techniques in the workplace.
The techniques of using mentored collaborative online learning for computer professional education were developed for the ACS by David Lindley.
InnovationACT provides eight weeks of seminars and mentoring from industry and business professionals for staff and students at the Australian National University and the University of Canberra. Participants form teams which are helped to write a business plan. Topics include sustainability
The slides and video of Innovation Seminars are valuable on-line:
- Introduction
- Intellectual Property: Simon Potter and Michael Curtotti
- Product and Market Definition: John Hemphill
- Financial and Resource Management Seminar: Nick McNaughton
- Environmental and Social Sustainable Seminar: Tom Worthington
- Business Plan Writing and Presentation Seminar: Lachlan James
First global Green ICT Course
- 13 Week E-learning course
- Green ICT Strategies COMP7310, Masters program, The Australian National University, from July 2009
- Originally sponsored by the Australian Computer Society Computer Professional Education Program and globally accredited.
- Free web pages, also paperback book and e-book
Green ICT (Green IT or Green Computing) is the study and practice of using computers and telecommunications in a way which maximises positive environmental benefit and minimise the negative impact.
The energy efficiency of operating equipment is a major concern of Green ICT. The embodied energy and life cycle of the materials used in the design, manufacture and reuse and recycling of equipment and components are also concerns. Green ICT seeks to inform accepted management practises to achieve efficient and effective business interaction.
The Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) provides a common reference model for the identification of the skills needed to develop effective Information Systems (IS) making use of Information & Communications Technology (ICT).
Green ICT Strategies target SIFA Level 5 competencies: "ensure, advise: Broad direction, supervisory, objective setting responsibility. Influences organisation. Challenging and unpredictable work. Self sufficient in business skills".
The ACS and the ANU use the Australian developed Moodle open source Learning Management System. This is used to provide forums for students to discuss what they are learning, not just receive content prepared by teachers. This also teaches students how to use the same online collaboration techniques in the workplace.
The techniques of using mentored collaborative online learning for computer professional education were developed for the ACS by David Lindley.