Bringing IT to bear on all elements of environmental activity is the key tenet of Green IT 2.0, one we've reported on many times here. But this week brings news that, for all you heavy travelers at least, is truly exciting.

As I write in the blog this week, a new research project in the U.K. is aiming to apply computing power to airport inefficiencies, all as a way of cutting flight delays, plane loading and idling times, and bagging handling inefficiencies. If they're successful, the researchers will be able to cut the hassle and reduce wasted time and fuel for airlines around the world. You can read all about it in "Can IT Make Airports Greener -- and More Efficient?"

Also this week: the Green Grid has released a comprehensive look at how European policymakers have passed or are considering implementing laws that will affect data centers; the report, which report on here, highlights the three biggest hurdles IT departments will face in the coming months, and offers tips on how to get out ahead of the curve.

Green Grid Webcast: Speaking of The Green Grid, we're very pleased to present an upcoming webcast on October 29, Strategic Management of Data Center Efficiency." Developed in partnership with The Green Grid, the free, hour-long event taps into another hot topic.

Data center managers around the world are running into limits related to power, cooling, and space -- and the rise in demand for the important work of data centers has created a noticeable impact on the world's power grids. In our free webcast, two members of The Green Grid, an industry consortium, will discuss best practices used by data centers around the world to manage their energy use, including the results of a new Green Grid assessment on an EPA data center in Virginia. You can register for free right here.

This report from the Green Grid explores how existing and forthcoming legislation is affecting data center operators in Europe, and how IT professionals can prepare and stay ahead of the curve.

This report from ChemSec and Clean Production Action highlights the innovations driven by electronics manufacturers that have removed toxics like bromine and chlorine from high-tech gadgets.

This hourlong webcast from GreenBiz.com and the Green Grid will explore the tools, techniques and training being used by data center operators around the world to improve energy efficiency and save operating costs.