Hardly a day goes by without me reading in the news another scare story about climate change. In the UK we’re being told of an impending energy crisis as our oil and gas runs out.

It has been identified that most people leave their computers switched on all day, even when they are not using it, and in some cases, all night too. So across the world, a vast amount of energy is being wasted. Also, even if we do turn them off, we are being told that the standby state that modern domestic electrical equipment goes into also consumes a noticeable amount of precious electricity.

We’re told that the only way to truly turn off your computer, TV, hi-fi or DVD player is to pull the plug from the wall. I am sure there are many conscientious people who see it as their duty to do this every night, but quite frankly, I do not think that a mass unplugging goes on as the populace retires to bed.

I use a bog standard Windows based PC most of the time, and I accept that I often leave it running all day, Why? Because of the time it takes to shut down and re-boot. It is just too long. I would like to call on the hardware and software manufacturers of this world to collaborate and solve this simple problem.

Once the inconvenience of the boot up and shut down procedure has been removed. I am sure that most people will have no issue in switching off their computer as they pop out for a cappuccino, knowing that they are saving power, money and that very important half written email to the Head of Department.

Julian Gough