Microsoft has entered into an "unholy" alliance with Google designed to slow down global warming via optimized, energy efficient computing. In addition to Microsoft and Google, the Climate Savers Computing Initiative also counts on the support of other heavyweights in the industry, including Dell, EDS, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), HP, IBM, Lenovo, PG&E, World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Via a press release, Microsoft revealed that it welcomed the initiative aiming to increase energy savings of computers and servers. The members of the Climate Savers Computing Initiative have promised to only deal with and produce energy-efficient machines.

"Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency is a challenge that spans industries and businesses of every size, and technology can help address this challenge," stated Michael Rawding, vice president for special projects in Microsoft Corporate Affairs. "Working together through the Climate Savers program is one important way that competitors and partners alike can, through technology, address this important issue."

Urs Hölzle, Google fellow and senior vice president of operations informed that in excess of 50% of all the power consumed by a computer is in fact wasted by being converted to heat. The core of the initiative aims to drastically reduce this percentage via efficient power supplies and voltage regulators. This is why the Climate Savers Computing Initiative will enforce the adoption of power supplies that deliver more than a 90% standard of efficiency. Google also emphasized the upside of deploying efficient power supplies. The 50% reduction in computer power consumption by 2010 will be equivalent with the reductions of greenhouse gas emissions by 54 million tons per year. Ultimately, this will translate into saving $5.5 billion in energy costs.

"This effort brings together industry, consumer, government and conservation organizations that are committing to produce products that meet specified power-efficiency targets and purchase power-efficient computing products. It will also educate consumers and IT personnel about managing a computer's power usage and, most importantly, show individuals how they can reduce the electrical footprint of their computers," Microsoft added.