Science software aims to save the world

A new piece of science software has one ambitious aim - to save the world.

SPIRIT has been created in Portugal at Ciencia Viva - Agencia Nacional para a Cultura Cientifica e Tecnologica and tackles the issue of wasted energy in data centres.

The principle behind the science software is relatively simple, as its main function is to switch off servers' computers when they are not in use.

As a result, energy consumption of idle units is reduced and emissions correspondingly cut.

The researchers behind the software explain that about one per cent of global carbon emissions are currently traceable to computer equipment.

While that may not sound like much, it is already half as much as the aviation industry produces - and six times as many servers are predicted to be in use by 2020.

Ciencia Viva encourages Portugal's scientific industry through initiatives like arranging laboratory work placements for young people.