Edible Apple

Let’s be clear – Greenpeace does good work and their environmental efforts should be applauded. No one’s disputing that. But at the same time, Greenpeace figured out long ago that the best way to get into the news was to somehow find a way to mention Apple products in their reports, regardless of whether the connection made sense or not.

In the most recent example, Greenpeace warns of the environmental dangers associated with cloud computing, and they naturally decided to call out Apple’s iPad as a device that may bring with it unforeseen environmental consequences.

“Make IT Green: Cloud Computing and its Contribution to Climate Change,” shows how the launch of quintessential cloud computing devices like the Apple iPad, which offer users access to the “cloud” of online services like social networks and video streaming, can contribute to a much larger carbon footprint of the Information Technology (IT) sector than previously estimated.

To be clear: We are not picking on Apple. We are not dissing the iPad. But maybe someone can come up with an app that calculates the carbon footprint of using different web sites based on their location and energy deals. Apple is the master of promotion, and while we marvel at the sleek unpolluted design of the iPad, we need to think about where this is all leading and how like all good surfers we can make sure our environment stays clean and green.

Come up with an app to calculate the carbon footprint of different websites? Pardon me for being cynical, but that sounds like a load of horseshit to me. Rallying around the environment is great, I just happen to think that with all of the more conspicuous pollution these days, calling out cloud computing as an excuse to call out the iPad – all as a means to make headlines – is absurdly laughable.

Greenpeace had admitted before to using Apple as a scapegoat simply as a way to direct more eyeballs in their direction. Well, it looks like they’re up to their old tricks again.

via Greenpeace