How Green Tech Companies Lead The Way To An Eco-Friendly Future

The industrial revolution brought with it many modern amenities that we probably wouldn’t be able to do without now, but these systems also have negative effects on the world that we live in. Pollution, greenhouse emissions, and other environmental problems are widely recognized. Enter green tech companies. Governments and various industries alike are starting to look into more eco-friendly practices, and we’re beginning to see the results as contemporary tech companies are actively searching for new ways to help alleviate the problem.

Our society is always evolving, and technology is once again bringing about another revolution – and this time it’s going to be a green one. Here are some simple ways technology is helping companies become eco-friendlier.

Floating on the Cloud

About ten years ago, most companies used on-site servers to store all of their data. These days, however, many companies are switching to cloud-based storage to save on space and expenses. Plus, it’s one of the easiest ways for a company to adopt an eco-friendlier practice as there’s no need to manage a power-hungry server 24/7.

Nowadays, cloud-based storage solutions such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Acronis, and Backblaze – to name a few – are doing all the heavy lifting with a minimal eco-footprint. With new-age systems such as virtual servers that lower the overall energy consumption, these companies can provide stable services for millions of companies and individuals alike.

Besides the eco-friendly advantages that cloud solutions offer, there’s also the additional benefit of giving people the option to access information remotely whenever they need to. Which has helped establish remote work – another eco-friendly practice – as a viable option worldwide.

Take it Home

Remote collaboration is becoming increasingly popular across various industries. Not only does it save on expenses, but remote collaboration has the additional benefit of being a great eco-friendly choice for two reasons. First, people don’t have to drive to work every day which greatly lowers carbon emissions, and second, there’s less need for finite resources like energy and paper – since remote work allows for smaller or virtual offices.

This emerging trend has been made possible by technological advancements like virtual private networks (VPNs) and remote desktop connections. Each has its own benefits and allow people to work together no matter where they are. For example, with the help of a VPN people living in Spain can easily work for a company that is outside of their home country by establishing a secure connection through a virtual network. On the other hand, a remote desktop connection manager allows one computer to connect to another and access to all of its resources remotely. So remote desktop managers are a great option for any business that needs to have some employees physically present, at least part of the time.

Besides connection software, technology has also advanced to the point where people can easily collaborate with each other seamlessly. So there’s really no need to be in the same place at the same time anymore. Video calling solutions like Skype and Zoom take care of any meetings or other direct communication needs, while web-based project management and collaboration tools like Trello, Asana, and Slack are great options for any small-to-medium business that wants to handle operations remotely. Some people are even looking towards virtual reality (VR) as a possible remote work solution and believe that companies like vSpatial, who offer an immersive workspace inside a virtual environment, are paving the way to the future.

Tools like these are being developed and improved upon every day, and we might even see a future where remote work is the norm because of it.

Be Natural

Some companies need their employees to be physically present, so remote work isn’t a great option. But that doesn’t mean they can’t do their part for the environment. Large and small companies alike are opting for more creative architecture designs that allow for a smaller carbon footprint. One-way companies are making the switch is by moving to offices that let in more natural light, which means less need for artificial lighting. Another emerging trend is to use sustainable building materials that allow for natural insulation, which lowers the need for adjusting the thermostat when it’s hot or cold outside.

Lessen the Load

Many tech giants are changing the way they manufacture goods. Both Google and Apple have adopted more environmentally friendly production procedures and switched to less hazardous materials in their products. This movement will help reduce the strain being put on the planet in a number of ways and is inspiring others to follow suit as more people become environmentally conscious. Hopefully, this is one trend that sticks. Large conglomerates and small companies alike are already taking big steps towards a greener future by adopting new practices that will reduce their carbon footprint and the amount of pollution that makes its way to rivers and dumping sites.

Smaller businesses have also started adopting this model. Some are trying to reduce their carbon footprint by making use of renewable energy sources like solar power while others have taken to adopting 3D printing manufacturing practices that minimize waste and energy use.

Every day, more and more companies are making the conscious decision to incorporate greener practices, and tech companies are coming up with smarter and more cost-effective ways to make that happen. There are many ways in which new technology is facilitating this process so that anyone can easily do their part. Even starting with small changes can make all the difference.