Greenpeace applauds Apple, MacBook Air
updated 07:15 pm EST, Thu January 17, 2008
Greenpeace applauds Apple
Greenpeace today applauded Apple for the release of its new MacBook Air laptop, calling the device "a winner" and a strong entry in the race to build a green PC. The organization commends Apple's decision to ship a mercury and arsenic-free laptop, which Greenpeace says exceeds European Standards and raises the bar for the rest of the industry. Apple is on the right track, according to activists, and needs to make environmental leadership the theme of all of its products -- both old and new.
"For us though the highlight of the show, was Steve talking about the environment in his keynote speech for the first time," Greenpeace said. "It's a big step for Steve and we would like to congratulate all the Apple fans who helped us with our greenmyapple campaign."
Jobs in early May published an open letter to the public to discuss Apple's then current and future environmental concerns. The letter came after criticism came from environmental organizations as well as company shareholders. The executive promised to remove the inclusion of toxic chemicals in Apple products, and outlined a revamped recycling program for iPods.
Greenpeace lauded Jobs' open letter, praising his decision to phase out polyvinyl chloride and brominated fire retardants (BFRs) by 2008. The organization still criticized Apple's planned recycling program, however, because it will only apply to U.S. residents.
Today Greenpeace commended Apple as well as Jobs, but reminded both that its MacBook Air is not entirely free of hazardous chemicals.
"Had [the MacBook Air] been [free of hazardous chemicals,] it would have made Apple an ecological leader," the organization said. "We can almost taste that Green Apple, unfortunately it’s not ripe yet."
bad name
01/17, 08:47pm reply
It is the likes of Greenpeace that give environmentalists a bad name.
bhuot
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Joined: Nov 2003
Greenpeace today applaude
01/17, 09:22pm reply
Oh, good. I can sleep well tonight knowing Apple has the Greenpeace stamp of approval-sort of...
mgpalma
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Joined: Sep 2000
and they are using?
01/18, 07:47am reply
I'd like to know what brand of computer and operating system permeates the Greenpeace organisation? Transparency works both ways. Something tells me there isn't a majority of Apples hanging off their tech tree!
Feathers
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Joined: Oct 1999
Greenpeace is
01/18, 12:21pm reply
too venomous an organization to care whether they applaud Apple or not. They could just as easily revert to terrorist tactics over another product for which they were critical. MacBook Air wouldn't make any difference to them. They are a hate organization pure and simple. That's the way they try to manipulate people and companies.
smitch
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easy for you
01/18, 01:12pm reply
it's easy for you folks to shrug at Greenpeace, when you don't work in the factories that make these toxic products, don't live in the cities bathing in their runoff, and you haven't experienced the future of this planet when it all catches up with us. You just want your new stuff guilt free, and you are too short sighted to see what it really costs.
Apple - good step in the right direction. Lead this industry to a healthier future please.
Casper Crane
Dedicated MacNNer
Joined: May 2002
Congrats Greenpeace
01/18, 03:04pm reply
I really do not see why Apple fans are so hard on Greenpeace. The group's agenda is no secret: it is to get companies to clean up their acts. That certainly seems like a decent goal.
Moreover, targeting Apple is smart. First, Apple claims to be an innovator. Second, the Nobel Peace Prize winner for his enviromental efforts sit on Apple's Board. Third, unlike other companies, Apple has traditioonally kept it's environmental efforts quiet.
More importantly, Greenpeace's efforts have seemed to work. Apple is being more open about its environmental practices and actively trying to improve. That is to everyone's benefit and I certainly do not feel bad for Apple.
Terrin
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Joined: Jan 2006
"venomous"
01/18, 04:19pm reply
Well said, terrin.
Greenpeace is speaking for your well-being, and the well-being of your children, and their children, and so on. The US Government isn't doing exactly a stellar job watching out for you (unless you enjoy poisoned pet food and lead paint on your toys), so someone needs to do it.
Without organizations like Greenpeace and PETA holding companies responsible for their actions, the world would be a much worse place.
Malevoiy
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Joined: Aug 2006
just another…
01/19, 04:09am reply
Just another Liberal organization trying to control us through their openly Orwellian thought control tactics.
"Without organizations like Greenpeace and PETA holding companies responsible for their actions, the world would be a much worse place."
You're kidding right? How old are you? We don't need these opportunistic organizations telling us how to conserve and protect. We have plenty of organizations and individuals who go unsung because they really care about the environment and pets.
manleycreative
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Joined: Sep 2005
Al Gore
01/19, 04:10am reply
Al Gore invented the MacBook Air!!!
manleycreative
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Ale Gore
01/19, 10:40am reply
Also helped develop the Lex Caliber
Peter753
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Joined: Sep 2001