Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: Climate change is profoundly affecting nearly all aspects of life on earth, including human societies, economies, and health. Various human activities are responsible for significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including data centers and other sources of large‐scale computation. Although many important scientific milestones are achieved thanks to the development of high‐performance computing, the resultant environmental impact is underappreciated. In this work, a methodological framework to estimate the carbon footprint of any computational task in a standardized and reliable way is presented and metrics to contextualize GHG emissions are defined. A freely available online tool, Green Algorithms ( www.green‐algorithms.org ) is developed, which enables a user to estimate and report the carbon footprint of their computation. The tool easily integrates with computational processes as it requires minimal information and does not interfere with existing code, while also accounting for a broad range of hardware configurations. Finally, the GHG emissions of algorithms used for particle physics simulations, weather forecasts, and natural language processing are quantified. Taken together, this study develops a simple generalizable framework and freely available tool to quantify the carbon footprint of nearly any computation. Combined with recommendations to minimize unnecessary CO 2 emissions, the authors hope to raise awareness and facilitate greener computation.
Source: Advanced Science
Language: English
Topic: Green IT and Sustainability
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $5,000
Funders: Wellcome Trust, Scottish Government, National Institute for Health and Care Research, British Heart Foundation, Department of Health and Social Care, University of Cambridge, La Trobe University, Public Health Agency, Cambridge University Hospitals, State Government of Victoria, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Chief Scientist Office, Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate, Medical Research Council, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council, Health and Social Care Research and Development Division, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Health Data Research UK
Awards: G1199782147, G139696651, G1671907826, NIHR Senior Investigator Award, G1953244154, G2266788633, Large-scale integrative genomic studies of high-dimensional traits in cardiovascular diseases (renewal), G299057155, G370598735, G3986547339, G4211044638, G5117680084, G6058803565, G6641991021, G6787924332, G7470920587, Large-scale integrative studies of risk factors in coronary heart disease: from discovery to application (renewal). (Joint funding with MRC), G762219591, G7939076303, Industrial Strategy PhD studentships Application from University of Cambridge, Large-scale integrative studies of risk factors in coronary heart disease: from discovery to application
OpenAlex ID: W3111917867