Greenpeace applauds Apple climate change flounce
Strange planetfellows
Greenpeace - the environment-obsessed organization that famously protested outside of Steve Jobs' inaugural iPhone keynote - is now praising Jobs and his Apple cult for their stance on climate change.
Earlier this week, Apple flounced out of the US Chamber of Commerce after the chamber came out against a Congressional climate change bill, and Greenpeace is quite pleased.
"Apple has stormed out of the biggest lobby group in the United States," reads a statement posted to the Greepeace web site. "At issue is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's use of funds to oppose climate change legislation. Apple has done the right thing, and IBM and Microsoft should think different too."
A long way, then, from January 2007: As Steve Jobs was inside San Francisco's Moscone Center unveiling the iPhone, Greenpeace was outside telling passersby that Apple hardware was threatening the future of the planet. The month before, Apple had ranked dead last among companies listed in Greenpeace's Green Electronics Guide.
Apparently, Steve Jobs' response was to tell the Greenpeace protesters to "get out of the computer business [and] go save some whales." But with the introduction of the new MacBook and MacBook Pro lines in October 2008, Apple seemed to tack the other way. Greenpeace praised Apple's effort to phase out all environment-unfriendly PVCs and BFRs from all products by the end of the year.
And now the not-profit is particularly chuffed about the Chamber exit. Jobs and company resigned from the Chamber of Commerce with a public letter to its president on Monday. "Apple is committed to protecting the environment and the communities in which we operate around the world," read the letter, signed by Apple vice president Catherine Novelli. "As a company we are working hard to reduce our own greenhouse gas emissions by relying on renewable energy at our facilities and designing more energy-efficient products for our customers...
"For those companies who cannot or will not do the same, Apple supports regulating greenhouse gas emissions, and it is frustrating to find the Chamber at odds with us in this effort."
The week before, Chamber president Thomas J. Donohue had released a statement saying that the Chamber supported "strong federal legislation and a binding international agreement to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change" while criticizing a bill passed by the US House of Representatives earlier this year. ®
COMMENTS
Cult!? WTF
For a start, using phrases like Cupertino cult points to the fact you're quite bitter and immature. Using the word cult many times throughout two articles points to the fact you're a paid Microsoft/Dell shill who wouldn't know impartiality if it bit you on the arse.
@Aron - dude if you're having any kind of love affair with technology you need to get laid and if you stopped using a product because the company who produced it walked away from a group who's intentions appear not to be altogether environmentally sound, then fuck me where your brains at boy? Also if your Alienware m - who actually gives a fuck - 17 suits your needs, well done, I'm sure everyone's very pleased for you especially your mum.
Seems to me that Apple are trying to produce equipment that is in line with environment standards for reducing waste and using less toxic materials, so where's the fucking issue.. Cade?
Apple
Carbon dioxide is fertilizer - it makes apples grow.
Free thought
"Apple has done the right thing, and IBM and Microsoft should think different too."
However, in a free society, everyone is free to think what they like, not how Greenpeace or anyone else would like to dictate.
@Aron
It is sad to see that Apple's stance on the climate was enough
to overcome the obvious love you had for the company...
