Given that Earth Day was apparently this weekend, I suppose it’s only fitting that we bring you another chapter of the compelling drama, Just How Green Can Apple Be?. Last I checked, Greenpeace had ranked Apple last in its list of major electronics makers who are environmentally-friendly. Now, students are taking up the crusade as well, at least at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota.
WSU’s student environmental club recently combined students, their Macs, and signs reading, “I [heart] my Apple but I wish it was green,” for an unusual photo shoot. Their project is part of a global “GReen My Apple” campaign, featuring consumers who like their iPods and Macs, but want to see less reliance on toxic chemicals and an increase in recycled machines. Says one club member:
“People who use Apples are often hipsters or environmental and concerned about (these issues),” said WSU environmental club member Brian Sanders. “Apple is known as a pioneer company, and if we get them to adopt a responsible waste program and reduce their toxins in manufacturing we think that can bring a change in other companies.”
Could we go on the record for two minutes so I can confirm that while I’m all about the environment over here, I’d never call myself a “hipster,” because that would imply that I’m cool? Which I’m not. A geek I was born, and a geek shall I die. Just want to clear up that misconception. In the meantime, perhaps Apple can fashion a MacBook out of hemp and leaves, and then at least Greenpeace will be happy.
Can we *please* stop referencing the bogus Greenpeace "report"? It's been debunked many times already. It's nothing more than a PR piece, based on press releases and marketing from various companies. In the actual *data* they collected, Apple is actually more green than those at the top of the list.
Stop giving credence to the Greenpeace BS by continually mentioning it in articles.
Geeks come in many flavors. Some geeks code in assembly language for fun. Some play WOW all night and sleep all day. Other geeks write AppleScripts fired off by cron to do cool stuff to their iPhoto libraries at night while they are sleep. I have no problem classifying myself as an Mac carrying (green) hipster among geeks.
Besides the "questionability" of the Greenpeace report, the true reaason behind listing Apple as the "worst" was purely strategic. It was done because it shocks people to think that Apple isn't an environmentally conscious company. But more importantly, Greenpeace sees Apple as a company that is likely to try and make peace, rather than fight them.
If Apple had capitulated to the implied threat from Greenpeace then the other computer companies will have to fall in line, and fast. By attacking Apple, Greenpeace was hoping for a quick-strike victory, and to then parlay that into boffo fund raising activity.
A craven attempt to blackmail Apple and reap financial reward.