Going Google Over Green
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alt=""Corporate social responsibility is a revived buzz concept. Businesses are taking an inward look at how their actions are affecting their world at large; i.e. the environment, consumers, employees, communities, stakeholders, and all other members of the public sphere. Google is becoming one of those businesses who is a leader in forming their company based on socially responsible principles. The other thing about Google is that we can often look to them to come up with the most cutting edge technologies; in some ways they always seem to be one step ahead of the curve. Do you agree?
In 1962, Milton Friedman published the book Capitalism and Freedom in which he states that corporations do not need to worry about "social responsibility" because they end up using other people's money to do what those other people could do themselves. I think we have come to understand, after years of mulling over his opinions, that it doesn't really make sense to spend our earth's resources heedlessly. We can design products of the future that make a wiser use of recycled materials and materials that have a lower embodied energy, etc. Once again I ask, do you agree?
Bloom Energy Fuel Cells
HELLO CHICAGO
This week, Google is Green in the New York Times
"Google, which is talking to automakers about using its PowerMeter energy management software, has already become something of an electric transportation hub. At Google's Mountain View headquarters, a handful of employees drive to work in Tesla Roadsters, and more drive a fleet of modified Priuses that Google owns. The employees pull into carports that are covered with solar panels and plug their cars into the 100 available charging stations." - New York Times, Cities Prepare For Life With The Electric Car
Also this week, Google is Green in the USA Today
Google is planning to incorporate the use of a new fuel-cell technology to power their building, offsetting a full demand from the local electrical company.
"Silicon Valley start-up Bloom Energy is unveiling a fuel-cell product Wednesday that can power a small office building... [Bloom CEO KR] Sridhar says Bloom's technology is cheaper and more efficient than others because of proprietary technology that enables it to use low-cost materials — sand and ink — in 4-inch-by-4-inch fuel cells as thick as business cards. One cell powers a light bulb. Bloom stacks them together to produce more power." - USA Today, Clean, Cheap Power From Fuel Cells In A Box?
"Bloom Energy, backed by Silicon Valley's leading venture capitalist, has been in stealth mode for eight years. Today, it's scheduled to announce that 20 companies, including Wal-Mart, Google, eBay, FedEx, Staples, Coca-Cola, Bank of America and Cox Enterprises, have bought Bloom's fuel-cell boxes. The commercial-scale boxes are about the size of a parking space and cost $700,000 to $800,000." - USA Today, Clean, Cheap Power From Fuel Cells In A Box?
Sustainable Tools that can Help Guide the Corporate World Toward a Greener Future
- Accounting for Sustainability's Connected Reporting Framework: This is a charity organization started by Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales of The United Kingdom.
- Global Reporting Initiative's Sustainability Reporting Guidelines.
- Green Globe Certification | Standard.
- EarthCheck: Primarily for travel and tourism companies.
- The ISO 14000 environmental management standard.
Stephanie Aurora Lewis
Stephanie, an NCARB registered architect and LEED AP, draws upon her studies in architectural history and theory from Sarah Lawrence College and her master’s degree in architecture from The Ohio State University. Providing copy for publications and performing marketing work for the construction industry, Stephanie works as an independent freelancer from Columbus, Ohio.
Website: greengaloredesigner.blogspot.com/