Policy and Behaviour: Exploring Energy Use by Computers in the Marion McCain Building

Abstract

In an era of increasing concern about environmental integrity and stability, all sectors of society including individuals, institutions, industry and government are re-examining their relationship with the environment. In recent years, Dalhousie University has attempted to reduce its environmental impact by increasing energy efficiency and reducing waste. However, these efforts have taken place in the absence of a guiding framework or strategy; the school does not have an environmental policy in place. As a result of this lack of direction, there are several issues to which no attention has been paid-one of which is energy consumption by computers in campus computer labs. We deemed it necessary to perform research which would begin to fill the void in data surrounding this issue.