Introducing the Green IT Consortium … & E.G. Otis

” …. there is no single innovation that can counteract the innumerable injuries we have done to the global ecosystem. But if the key to tackling our environmental challenges lies within this world of iterative change and cumulative improvement … then what does this mean for design [ and IT ] as a whole?”

So writes Valerie Casey, the Executive Creative Director of frog design in San Francisco.  This quote was taken from an article called “The Designers Dilemma” – an article that spurred on the creation of  The Designers Accord, a group of practitioners committed to sustainable design.

So what does this all have to do with the non-profit IT sector?    Directly, not a lot.  Indirectly, tons.

As someone who has working in the non-profit IT sector for 13 years, I know a few things about the sector:

1- While the sector is often tagged as not being particular innovative, the opposite is true.  The sector is quite innovative and in the truest sense.  With limited resources, innovation is born out of necessity.

2- Commitment to our profession is profound.   Take for example,  Democracy In Action.   Two colleagues/friends coming together to offer tools to non-profits at an affordable rate.   Rates at a fraction of the cost of their competitors.   Their now serving and supporting hundreds and hundreds of non-profits.

3- Commitment to a higher ideal than simply doing business has been part of our business long before the phrase triple bottom line became fashionable.   Companies serving non-profit organizations have always had more than one bottom line.

And now its time to come face-face with our own dilemma.   As well-intentioned as this sector is in terms of the way we go about our business, we our engaged in one of the dirtiest industries of our time.    And the reality of the matter is that few of us realize it.    All those websites we create?  There is an impact on the environment.   All those servers we monitor – there is an environmental impact.   Those computers piled up in the back closet waiting to be disposed of?   You got it.

And thus the non-profit IT sector faces it’s own dilemma.  Do we embrace this opportunity to not only green our own efforts – both internally as well as the services we offer to our clients?  Or do we turn a blind eye?

We know the answer.  It’s now time we come together as a professional sector and show the world the innovation and commitment that this sector embraces every day.

p.s.  Oh, yeah … You need to read The Designers Dilemma to find out who E.G. Otis is.