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Green my apple
Thanks to a global Greenpeace campaign, and a healthy dose of public pressure, Mac users worldwide can look forward to a greener Apple!
Apple's CEO Steve Jobs has announced a phase out of the worst chemicals in Apple products by 2008 and a new commitment to environmental transparency.
Mr Jobs wouldn't have bothered with this change if it wasn't for all the Mac fans who used the form on our greenmyapple.org site to demand a greener Apple. It's a victory for millions of computer users as much as it is for Greenpeace. So for all those who took part, pat yourself on the back - you've just convinced one of the world's most cutting-edge companies to think green!
And speaking of the website, greenmyapple.org picked up best Activist site in the 11th annual Webby Awards (the 'Oscars of the Web'.) Winners were chosen from nearly 8,000 entries from 60 different countries.
Project west wind
Some good news for the future of renewable energy in New Zealand! The Environment Court has approved Meridian's Project West Wind, which involves sixty-six wind turbines being built at Makara near Wellington. The site will generate enough electricity to supply most households in the Greater Wellington region.
Greenpeace supported the project from the start, and joined the appeal in the Environment Court on the basis of the project's ability to help reduce New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions. Greenpeace Climate Campaigner Vanessa Atkinson says the decision brings New Zealand one step closer to a clean energy future. "This is just the kind of project New Zealand needs to reduce its skyrocketing emissions and eventually achieve a 100 per cent switch to renewable energy."
Ban the bulb
The newly-appointed Minister of the Environment in the Netherlands has announced plans to ban the bulb in the next four years. Jacqueline Cramer very rightly points out that energy-saving bulbs are better for the environment and for people's pockets.
Philips Electronics is understood to be 'very happy' with the initiative. According to a spokesperson Philips "already" started a campaign to promote efficient lighting 18 months ago, and is happy the government's now taking initiatives as well.
Meanwhile the EU is working on plans to phase out traditional light bulbs by the end of 2008.
