AMD brings "The Green Grid" to Computing

AMD, the computer processor manufacturer, has organized The Green Grid, a consortium of tech giants brought together to address the server industry's power consumption.
It seems that the world's energy use for servers and ancillary computing equipment doubled from 3.1 billion dollars in 2000 to 7.3 billion in 2005. AMD took the lead in tackling this problem, but it has superpowers Hewlett-Packard Co., International Business Machines Corp., Sun Microsystems Inc., and Dell Inc., even recently adding Microsoft Corp. as well as Intel Corp., AMD's processor-making nemesis.
The group plans to standardize the measurement of computer efficiency and performance as well as pushing for greater power supply efficiency. They claim that with standardization, it will be easier to assess power use and facilitate steps toward reducing it.
You can take steps now to reduce your computer's footprint: An LCD monitor uses 60% less than a CRT, use "smart power strips(product link)" to turn of peripherals when not in use, and install an Antec Earthwatts super-efficient power supply. Also, tweaking your Windows power management settings can significantly reduce your computer's power consumption.
There are also a variety of "Green PCs" getting out there by companies like NEC, Dell, Computer Technology Link,
This conservation step is crucial across the board to prevent the construction of new coal-fired power plants as a quick and literally dirty way to meet growing energy needs.

via Engadget, full article at the Wall Street Journal.