GreenPepper Blog

Environment next in line for swift change?

By Beth Starkin, GreenPepper

Just days in office, and change is already being felt from the Obama administration. From a draft executive order to close Guantanamo Bay to frozen salaries for top aides, Obama has already started putting his promises into action. But what about his environmental promises?

Though action has not been seen just yet, energy and the environment figured prominently into the president’s inaugural address, which shines a promising light on the future of these important issues. And the House Ways and Means Committee already has begun debating the $20 billion set aside for energy projects in Obama’s stimulus package. In the wake of the anti-environment president, having such funds devoted to clean energy is refreshing.

What’s even more refreshing is that the stimulus package does little to stipulate what those alternative energy sources should be. Of course, the tried and true standards of solar and wind have specific call outs, but beyond that, the field is very open. We can only hope that this encourages the hunt for solutions from a variety of sources, perhaps even some we are not yet even familiar with. I can only think that this will spur innovation and creativity in solving our energy crisis, and bring solutions to commercialization more quickly. And with that innovation, comes jobs in these growing fields to help bolster our sagging economy.

There is also the opportunity for increased communications that showcase companies' green advancements and build consumer support for solutions, which can only continue to drive the industry forward.

As noted in Obama’s inaugural address, our challenges are many. But we are off to a great start in making environmental sustainability a reality.

Your Web footprint is bigger than you think

By Michael Blankenship, PepperDigital

Pop quiz: which industry produces a smaller carbon footprint, the airlines or IT? Surprisingly, for the first time ever, the IT industry's carbon footprint surpassed the airlines in 2007 and again in 2008.   According to Gartner, the billions of people (and growing) using computers and surfing the web is generating nearly two percent of the world's carbon emissions. A study conducted by Dr. Alex Wissner-Goss at Harvard University suggests that a simple Google search generates 5-10 grams of CO2—equivalent to boiling water for a cup of tea—and browsing a Web site generates 20 mg of CO2 every second the page is viewed.

We tend take for granted that the Web is paper friendly and think of energy consumption only in terms of the power we use from our PCs. What is often forgotten is the energy required to power the data centers for all of the servers required to store information on the Web. When conducting a Web search we are querying information across many data centers around the world—each of which requires energy. Factor in the servers that house Web sites, sites that are rich in content and take longer periods of time to load in your browser, page loading errors or malfunctions, and the energy consumption is increased exponentially.

The Web is still a young technology, but we are an increasingly greener planet and it is a positive sign to see thought being given to making the Internet greener. It's especially positive sign when you consider that powered flight and the automobile industries have been around since 1903 and serious attention to improving the green health of those industries is a relatively recent phenomenon. Companies across all industries, including Internet companies, will continue to be asked to examine not only their own energy consumption but also what their customers and suppliers consume. Companies like Google should maintain a steadfast approach to reducing the carbon footprint made by the Web.

It also may be time for the World Wide Web Consortium, the international agency that defines Web standards, to consider green standards of practice for Web developers and offer an environmental certification for sites that adhere to green design. Now, during the infancy of the Internet, is the time to start thinking and acting green in order not to play catch-up like the auto and airline industries.

Our New Political Hero, Earl Blumenauer

By Sandy Pfaff, GreenPepper

With new words and phrases like “bailout” and “stimulus package” becoming part of our every day vocabulary, and as we watch the U.S. automakers scramble for solutions to their innovation and image problems – you gotta love the Chevy Volt advertising campaign for a car not even available until 2010 - we would all do well to embrace the philosophy of Democratic Congressman from Oregon, Earl Blumenauer.  Just get on a bike!

While this isn’t necessarily the best strategy if you live in Wisconsin in January, a simple solution to our environmental and political challenges is right before our eyes, or more exactly, down at our feet.  There is nothing better for the health and greening of America than a morning bike commute to start the day.  Even better, of course, if there is a shower waiting for you on the other end.

In addition to the benefits of physical activity and stress relief, commuting by bike can also be a great   community building tactic and even a business development strategy if you work at it.  Bike commuters are noticeably more friendly to each other so imagine what could happen to build more bonds across the aisles if politicians road around on bikes.  Don’t get me wrong – there are days when you want to be oblivious.  But, the payoff of returning the conversation to fellow bike commuters almost always results in that extra endorphin charge that can keep us energized, engaged, and proud to be a little greener – and nicer.

Funny, you don’t see bike companies asking for no stinking bailout, yet I say they are the ones who have developed some of the most innovative, environmentally friendly and community-building transportation solutions around.  Pedal on, folks, pedal on. 

An Eco-friendly President

By Ann Barlow, GreenPepper

You probably think I'm referring to Obama, but yesterday's announcement from our current Chief Executive could make you think otherwise. Yesterday, George W. Bush announced the biggest-ever marine monument.

This area includes the the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument, Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, and the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument and will greatly limit commercial fishing and restrict recreational fishing as well.

So what gives? My own opinion is that Mr. Bush wants the record to show that he didn't give into commercial interests at every turn and truly wanted to leave at least somewhat of a positive legacy where the earth is concerned. That's a good idea, because I believe in the next decade, we will shed almost all of our hydrocarbon-economy ways in favor of what preserves our resources. If that's the case, we may look back at our behavior with some of the same horror that we now feel when we watch our racist behavior during the 1960s' equal rights movement. No one wants to be an emblem of such ugliness.

In this light, how should we feel about the President's designation? I'm tempted to be as cynical about it as I am about most of what he's done. Certainly, his motives are suspect, and environmentalists say the hard part will be monitoring and enforcement.

But in spite of all the above, I'm happy. It's still an important step toward preserving marine life -- in a space that is bigger than Texas and Alaska combined.  So from a progressive/environmental type, thank you President Bush.

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane… and Biofuel

By Beth Starkin, GreenPepper

There have recently been two jet biofuel test flights in as many weeks, with another expected at the end of the month.  While the flights play a critical role in ensuring fuels meet safety requirements, that may not be the only reason behind them.  In fact, you can be pretty darn sure that no one is sending a 40 ton plane into the sky without being at least 98 percent certain it's not going to come crashing back to the ground.  Just as important, the test flights served as an opportunity to show the world the possibilities on the horizon in making flying far greener and show that real solutions are underway.

It's true that it's unlikely any of us will be flying on a plane powered with biofuel anytime in the immediate future.  But it's also true that in the US alone, 1.6 billion gallons of jet fuel are used every month, a frightening fact your average flyer is likely completely unaware of.  Test flights bring attention to this critical issue and build support, both from the government and the general public in funding research to reach commercialization of these solutions.  This support is critical in any industry if we ever expect to have a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions.

For the companies participating in the flights, it has been an incredible way to build green credibility.  In an era where "greenwashing" is frequently the norm, and so many are doing the bare minimum, it is refreshing to see companies taking a true leadership position by very publicly displaying the green technology they are testing.  It builds faith in the brand, and ultimately may help to drive the bottom line for some participants.  In all honestly, before this week, it is unlikely I would have ranked Continental among the green companies, but today, I would factor that into a decision when booking flights.  Boeing and Honeywell UOP (a Peppercom client), along with Air New Zealand and Japan Airlines, also brighten their green stripes through participation in the flights.

It would be wonderful to see more industries follow the lead of the airlines in making very public displays of true greening initiatives, not just playing lipservice to the environmental trend.  While the solutions may not be final today, we all need to have greater awareness of the issues at hand and the progress being made now.