In In a recent report brought out by Greenpeace, the environment activist organisation has severely indicted the fallacies of green technology, especially those around cloud computing. Examining several cloud service providers, the report states that energy efficiency is merely a part of the whole debate. Tracking major companies, like Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Amazon, eBay, the report is an eye-opener in terms of how misappropriate the whole debate could be. In an exclusive chit-chat with Shashwat DC, Greenpeace India's Senior Campaigner, Abhishek Pratap, dispels such myths around the Cloud. Excerpts:
Q. There has been much hype around how cloud computing is an efficient "green alternative". How true is that?
A. In the present report, we are arguing that energy efficiency alone does not make data centers Green, if they do not use clean energy. Though few companies have clearly understood that the source of energy is a critical factor in how Green or dirty our data is, and have also demonstrated a commitment in driving investment attached to clean sources of electricity, the sector as a whole still defines 'Green' as being 'more efficient'. This failure to commit to clean energy in the same way as energy efficiency is being embraced and is driving the demand for dirty energy, as well as holding the sector back from being truly Green.
Q. What are chief issues against cloud service providers, what is it that makes the Cloud so not-green?
A. Lack of clean energy sourcing, lack of disclosure on their energy use and electricity use, and, lack of transparency on energy choices and investment on energy infrastructure.
Q. While your report talks about the large players - Amazon, Google, etc, what about the smaller players, like Tata Communications, Reliance Comm, etc?
A. In this report, we focus on major brands in cloud business. As the next step, we are in process of coming up with a similar but country specific Cloud report.
Q. Indian companies are slowly warming up to the idea of using the cloud, what is the question they need to ask?
A. For them, the question is also the same. How do they want to power their data-center growth - with clean renewable energy that provides long-term economic efficiency or dirty polluting energy? This is the choice they have to make and have to take a decision on development of renewable energy infrastructure along the Cloud infrastructure.
Q. In one of the reports, you have highlighted how Indian telecom companies are also a big source of carbon emissions. Can you elaborate more on that? Which are the best companies and how can they help?
A. We are coming up with an Indian specific telecom report in two weeks time, which elaborates on many aspects of Indian telecommunications' energy expansion and its polluting nature.
Q. What are the next steps in the campaign against dirt-energy users like FB, Twitter etc.? And will you also be talking to Indian enterprises on the same?
A. We are assessing the situation and hoping that Facebook will agree to our demand and issue a long-term commitment for renewable energy infra development, away from dirty coal and nukes by this earth day, 22nd April.
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