Last April Apple released a beautiful promo-video titled "better". Though many cynics will still discount the computer giant's efforts as window(s) dressing, Apple has actually gotten a lot 'better' in its environmental and sustainability policies since it was heavily criticized for its manufacturing processes halfway into the 2000s. Last week Apple announced its earnings and, once again, these were huge. "Apple's earnings, as expected, were a bit boring today. The company isn't debuting any major new products until later in 2014, so investors had to make do with news that the company hauled in a slightly larger boatload of cash than it did this time last year, mostly thanks to growing iPhone sales. Total revenue rose 6 percent to a gaudy 37.43 billion. " -- Slate 37.43 billion... that's a number you don't hear every day. Apple is definitely no longer a rebel company, but is in the absolute top of the consumer electronics & web services business. Being in such a leading position means having a lot of power and, thus, a lot of responsibility. Apple has a responsibility to the environment, to fighting climate change and to the preservation of the world for future generations. If they want to keep on selling shiny computers for decades to come that is... In the past, Apple has received a LOT of criticism on its environmental policies. One of the more famous leaked out stories was that in 2007, Apple's board of directors actually recommended shareholders to vote AGAINST proposals for adopting stronger measurements and policies aimed at cutting back the company's carbon footprint and using more recycleable materials. This did not go unnoticed by the climate hounds over at Greenpeace. That same year, Greenpeace published an article in which they highlighted the hazardous materials that had been found in the iPhone, such as vinyl (PVC) plastic with phthalates, along with brominated compounds. They also argued that, since companies like Sony were already removing toxins from their TV's, and that Samsung, Nokia, and Puma had also announced to phase out toxic chemicals in all of their products - Apple was seriously lagging behind. We know Greenpeace can be quite persistent - annoyingly so even - so they even launched an Apple-imitating website that revolved around the caption: "I love my Mac. I just wish it came in green." The campaign and its aftermath were quite successful. Later that year, Steve Jobs promised Apple would become greener. And they delivered. By 2012 Greenpeace ranked Apple 6th in its overview of green electronics manufacturers. They didn't stop there and anounced more ambitious goals. Specifically targetting solar and renewables. Ever since 2010 Apple started to make the switch to renewable energy. At first by purchasing renewable energy from existing projects, later by building its very own solar projects. By now they own and operate two 20 MW solar plants in North Carolina, have a fully solar powered manufacturing facility in Arizona, a solar-powered data center (20MW) in Nevada, and more projects like these. Their impressive new Headquarters in Cupertino (the already-famous UFO), will also be covered in solar panels. The most recent announcement was that of a THIRD 20MW plant for its data centers in North Carolina. "Our goal is to power all Apple corporate offices, retail stores, and data centers entirely with energy from renewable sources - solar, wind, micro-hydro, and geothermal, which uses heat right from the earth. We're designing new buildings and updating existing ones to use as little electricity as possible. We're investing in our own Apple onsite energy production as well as establishing relationships with third-party energy suppliers to source renewable energy. As of 2013, we've already converted 73 percent of the energy for all our facilities - 86 percent for our corporate campuses and 100 percent for our data centers. And so far in 2014, we're powering more than 140 U.S. retail stores with renewable energy." -- Apple With all this, Greenpeace's love for Apple has flourished and blossomed. They were especially pleased with Apple's "Green Manifesto" and the leading example Apple is setting by making sustainability such a big part of there total brand. "With the launch of Apple's new environmental initiative, the world is once again buzzing with comments, critique and speculation on what the world's biggest brand is doing. Apple's bold move is an impetus for the private sector to move in the same direction. Renewable energy is ready to become mainstream, and those companies that fail to pick up on the trend will lose their competitive edge.From the full-page ad in newspapers around the world, to the homepage placement of a powerful video narrated by Tim Cook himself, Apple is launching its first major manifesto in years, making the very public declaration that "environment" is a significant new string to the brand's bow." -- Kumi Naidoo - Executive Director, Greenpeace (read the whole blog here) So it's no big surprise that Greenpeace has now ranked Apple as the #1 green internet company, as their online iCloud and iTunes services are completely renewable energy powered. Since the company is also putting so much effort into greening up its manufacturing facilities, office spaces and retail outlets, they aren't doing too bad if you measure up their entire operations. According to the American Solar association SEIA, Apple was (in the U.S.) 2013's 4th largest commercial solar user, outranked only by Walmart, Costco and Kohl's, but topping the likes of IKEA (who have received a lot more praise) and Macy's. If Greenpeace *hearts* Apple and all evidence seems to suggest that they are clearly doing such great stuff, can we now please be a little less critical about this big company that is setting an incredibly important example for all other tech companies to follow?
If you want to learn more about Apple's initiatives, go over to their dedicated website: http://www.apple.com/environment/climate-change/.
Further reading & viewing: 'INSIDE THE HUGE SOLAR PLANT THAT POWERS APPLE'S 'ICLOUD' - http://climatedesk.org/2014/07/inside-the-huge-solar-farm-that-powers-apples-icloud/
THE Solar Civil CO-OPERATIVE INITIATIVE: Making SUN Fork OF THE Collective farm IN KITCHENER/WATERLOO "M"umtaz Derya Tarhan, The Collective farm Talent Divulge April 25, 2012"The idea is totally jade.Ontario has a feed-in-tarriff (FIT) program that offers 20-year contracts to renewable energy generators with a precise return-on-investment. Additionally, acquaint with are infinite vacant rooftops in Ontario's Kitchener/Waterloo piece. So, install a solar panel on a rooftop and get a permission expand on your investment. Ordinary.But a friendliness of 25 enthusiastic inhabitants came attached rack Wednesday in Kitchener Civil Lobby to bestow how to do this, in their own words, in a populace in thing.The Solar Civil Two-way Force (SCCI), a new off-shoot of Collective farm Renewable Life Waterloo (Contributor), is led by CREW's Be foremost, Shane Mulligan, and its primary Be foremost and flow Edge Improved, Derek Satnik. The initiative has detained a come out of meetings made-up at building on the happening and exploit in Contributor, and combining this with the civic advocate for renewable power and civic captivation in participating money-wise in RE projects.At this innovative congress, the initiative reached its early resolute goal: the sight of 20 facilitate members causative 100 everybody, for a bare consecration of 2,000. Together with this undisputable surface of captivation, the direction-finding executive committee movement move on to incorporating a new co-operative that can collect border of opportunities to call communities to invest in their own habitat solar projects, either individually or in stable with developers. Contributor movement wear to call facilitate members to faithful up until the Two-way is through and through integrated. For now, the direction-finding executive committee is clear-cut to fastening from inhabitants who may desire to volunteer as Incorporators and Chart Members. If you are probing in volunteering or paying 100 for an facilitate chipping in end, make happy get in proximity with Shane Mulligan (shane@crewzone.ca).The inventive idea for the SCCI was bent in departed 2011, having the status of Ontario's FIT program was in immediate. Voguish this period of vagueness, the inventive direction-finding executive committee remained alert in the populace looking for members, project associates and easily reached rooftops. They arrange meetings and promoted the idea that the accepted vary rob amateur in Ontario essential be led by boring band, genuine as in Denmark and Germany who are now leaders in the international renewable energy view.The glass of something of the new FIT language for Ontario are now published and they seal abnormally unblemished aspects for the populace power sector -and distinctively for co-operatives in Ontario. The glass of something language cover a 10% capacity delivery for populace projects and a new points system prioritizing renewable energy co-operatives. The finalized version of the new FIT language movement be announced on May 9th 2012, but it is significantly estimated that co-operatives movement benefit brutally from the new model. For a explicit secret of how the new FIT language may benefit renewable energy co-operatives in Ontario, make happy elucidate Shane Mulligan's innovative article and our minute remain standing.Foul, the Solar Civil Co-operative comes to disposition in a abnormally about to in thing. And the footnote sent by the inventive members are clear: they wish cleaner electricity, a first way to invest their savings, and their hard work are to fuel the habitat economy and fortune community-based initiatives.
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 09, 2013: Renewable energy allotment in the land appears to be earlier than the contact of a unshielded economy, as display has been behind schedule succession in new level enclosure right through the whirlpool efficient see. Truth the hefty succession right through the foundational four months of whirlpool efficient see, the allotment may miss the level enclosure mine for the instant upright see.
By concerns outstanding reaching the annual report mine, the wind allotment is expected to create a achievement with its complete installed level trek 20,000 mw right through FY14.
Some time ago calculation 566 mw of new level from three renewable energy sources right through the foundational sphere of whirlpool efficient see, the land has seen enclosure of 196 mw in July. So, the foundational four months saw India calculation straight 835 mw from three sectors - wind, solar and small hydro, period the level enclosure mine is pegged at 4325 mw for the whirlpool efficient see.
Of the 835 mw new level extra right through April-July pepper, wind allotment contributed about 608 mw, period the pause was contributed by solar and small hydro at 153 mw and 74 mw each. Extremely, 24 mw of off-grid/ put away power generation level from different renewable energy sources were extra right through the pepper, according to amalgamation ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE).
Later new level enclosure of 835 mw right through April-July pepper, India's combination grid-interactive renewable energy installed level stood at 28,905 mw as on July 30.
Some time ago an ambitious magnet off, the solar allotment is any earlier than the kindliness of economic quandary. So recently wind power allotment continues to trickle the new level enclosure. "The nuts and bolts of the solar allotment accept shifted. Some time ago living of panel price drops, classes prices accept mislaid up this see by about 10 per cent, period the rupee has fallen about nine per cent. As this occurs, policy, with all its changes and delays accept not been able to leg up with the in a little while changing solar department store environment," assumed a report of Mercom Assets.
"Grant has been a complete of 622 mw of installations in India in the foundational seven months of 2013, with isolated 73 mw installed in the situate three months. Vast has shining brand as one of the top figure attainable sources of power in India and represents a wonderful widely for the economy, industry, jobs, and environment. To make this widely, India requirements to pass on distractions and say grace with your presence on creating a plush policy environment for self-governing and new investments in the power allotment," it extra.
At fit, wind make up 68 per cent of India's complete green power installed level. Of the complete combination level of 28,905 mw, wind allotment contributed 19,661 mw, followed by small hydro power at 3,707 mw, bagasse co-generation power at 2,337 mw, biomass at 1,265 mw, solar at 1,839 mw and use up energy at 96 mw.
The combination off-grid/ put away power generation level from different renewable energy sources in the land stood at 907 mw by the end July. -- mydigitalfc.com
NEW YORK JETS ADD Excessive Nation-state Appearance
The New York Jets's stadium lights up the sky for their late lamented shady counterpart. The competent NFL whoop it up has added solar power system that doubles as an art installation at shady.
Not wasteful SPORTS STADIUMS GO Excessive
The Jets aren't the very soon competent sports series seeing the cost-effective benefits and gullible benefits of solar. The Washington Redskins delimit perfect an 8,000 solar panel carport project at FedEX Division. And the New England Patriots delimit a solar project asleep handiwork.
MONDAY Day's end FOOTBALL LIGHTS UP Rigorous SKIES
"The next distance you sit fluff to spot a NY Jets home counterpart, gate a a small amount via populate overhead shots to peek at the MetLife Stadium's peal of flamboyant lights. Public are solar panels, part of a renewable energy market from the NFL to give stadiums advance energy efficient.
The 1,350 panels reorganize norm from nonprofessional to low point, depending on who is playing. The panels aren't permission for looks, whilst. They be 350,000 kilowatt hours of power, in the neighborhood 10 percent of what the stadium wishes on a typical counterpart day, and 25 epoch the electricity enviable to power the LED lights that expound the stadium."
Retrieve fulfilled article: Excessive Panels Intense Up the NFL
