What is Green Software Development, and Why is It Important :
Climate change has been an ongoing topic that has remained a concern for stakeholders and governments. Many concepts have been developed that centre on proactive climate action. Green Software Development is one of such concepts introduced particularly to address the contribution of engineering to greenhouse emissions.
What is Green Software development?
Green Software Development, {also called Green coding or sustainable software} is a concept developed to limit the negative impacts of engineering software on the environment, especially in terms of energy consumption.
The field of Green Software Development has gained prominence among developers, architects and coders that are concerned about minimizing environmental damage. For instance, we find attention drawn to the environmental hazards that the mining of cryptocurrencies causes. That is why a different and more eco-friendly system of producing crypto was developed in the form of proof-of-stake.
Principles of Green Software Development
The recognition of Green Software led to the development of eight guiding principles. These principles guide software engineers in their approach towards software development and implementation. They include – Carbon, Electricity, Carbon Intensity, Embodied Carbon, Energy Proportionality, Networking, Demand Shaping, and Measurement & Optimization.
Why Green Software development is important
1. It saves our planet:
All the efforts towards limiting climate change are to one end – to save planet earth. The principles enunciated by Green Software Development aim to reduce carbon footprints by generating fewer greenhouse emissions. In turn, this will contribute to a better environment where people can live in health and be less impacted by the effects of climate change. This is also exemplified by the goals of the Green Software Foundation – the aim is to reduce the environmental impact and not neutralize it.
2. It contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle:
The 21st century has revealed how much technology plays a role in our everyday life. As innovations continue, finding a balance between technology and a sustainable environment is essential. In addition, individuals are beginning to recognize the importance of developing practices that contribute to a better environment. We also have environmental, social and governance principles taken by businesses to limit pollution.
3. It aids economic growth:
Although green tech has existed for a while, it only started gaining attention recently. Now, we see countries implementing policies that uphold green tech policies. A quick example is Vision 2030 of Saudi Arabia, which aims, among other things, to increase renewable energy share in electricity production to 50%. In addition, the green tech and sustainability market is expected to be valued at $60.7 billion by 2027, where the annual growth rate is estimated at 27.8%.
Conclusion
Sustainable practices could become the core building blocks of every thriving industry. Conversely, technology is an indispensable part of our everyday life. Green Software Development is one of the central points between sustainability and technology. It will be beneficial for the concept to be developed and fully optimized as the world evolves.
