IT for a Greener Planet [Guest editors' introduction]

An increased awareness of the harmful effects of greenhouse gas emissions, new stringent environmental legislation, concerns about electronic waste disposal practices, and corporate image concerns are pushing businesses and individuals to go green. IT has fundamentally altered our work and life and improved our productivity, economy, and social well-being. Going forward, IT now has a new role to play in creating a sustainable environment. The articles in this special issue cover the next wave of green IT, assessments of green initiatives, the green potential of RFID, green Web browsing, and lessons from case studies on real-world green initiatives.