SDU IT
Clean up your digital waste – make a difference for SDU and the climate
Today marks the beginning of the big digital cleanup week at SDU, and we hope you will join us! Did you know that so-called "Dark Data" – data left unused – is estimated to produce more CO₂ globally than the entire aviation industry?
Join Digital Cleanup Week
The SDU Climate Ambassador Network, together with SDU IT, is behind this initiative to help us all get a handle on files, emails, sites, and old equipment. Our individual actions can make a big difference for the climate, security, and good digital practices in everyday life. Did you know, for example, that so-called "Dark Data" – data left unused – is estimated to produce more CO2 globally than the entire aviation industry? Storage space in the cloud is not weightless; it requires electricity and physical servers.
"Many small streams..." can contribute to a real difference. During the week, you can do a number of simple things that, in the bigger picture, have a significant impact:
- Delete data and files: Delete large or old files you no longer use, empty your Outlook trash, clean up your download folder, and delete outdated files and Teams sites. SDU pays extra for storage exceeding 100 GB per employee.
- Return old IT equipment: There are over 500 inactive Macs gathering dust at SDU. Maybe you have some lying around too? Stop by your local Service Desk with unused equipment – there is "amnesty," and we ensure secure deletion and recycling.
- Clean up licenses and apps: SDU pays for many licenses that are not used – including for computers that are no longer in use. By unsubscribing unused software, the university saves money, and we eliminate potential "backdoors" for hackers.
Reach out to your colleagues and set aside some time for a good digital cleanup, and you will help reduce both CO₂ consumption, security risks, and unnecessary costs.
Visit the SDUnet page Digital Cleanup to find guides and tips on how to get started.