Chris Morrison | posted on February 9, 2009

If you were reading VentureBeat a couple weeks ago, you may have seen an article suggesting that most people don’t care about global warming — despite a recent deluge of media about climate change and renewable energy, many people aren’t convinced. Today a new study is suggesting that the geeky, forward-thinking information technology industry is also behind on becoming environmentally friendly.

The study by Think Ecological, a group owned by BPM Forum, Intel and Rackable Systems, says that while over 80 percent of companies are more sensitive to ecological issues than they were a year ago, about the same number give their own industry “failing grades” in carrying out ecological practices.

To simplify some of the study’s findings, the people who control the computing infrastructures of major corporations are behind the curve, spending their time hounding employees to not print out emails rather than tackling major issues like reducing the amount of energy that power-sucking server farms consume. …read full discussion

Olivia Chen | posted on February 9, 2009

Valentine’s Day is a sweet time for couples, but is often associated with the more negative elements of luxury and consumerism. Between cut flowers and irresponsibly-mined diamonds, the excessive consumption of the holiday can lean towards damaging rather than preserving the earth. We want you to enjoy Valentine’s Day in an eco-responsible manner this year, which is why we have put together a list of romantic green goodies that are sure to heat up your Valentine’s Day without compromising the environment. …read full discussion

Jennifer Kho | posted on February 9, 2009

In the economic downturn, “green jobs” has become one of the hottest political catchphrases. President Barack Obama has promised 5 million new green jobs as part of  his energy and stimulus plans. Here in California, the mayors of Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well as the governor have made green jobs a priority. And states across the country, from Indiana to Washington, are considering bills to develop more green jobs.

This week as the sold-out Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference kicks off, and Congress sits down to vote on a new, pared-down stimulus package that includes billions for jobs in energy efficiency and clean power, “green job” are at the forefront of everyone’s minds. But the cleantech industry hasn’t proved to be recession-proof, and layoffs and hiring freezes are leading would-be green employees to question just how soon the jobs will arrive, and what kind of cleantech companies will be hiring. Here’s what we see: …read full discussion

Katie Fehrenbacher | posted on February 6, 2009

The smart grid might have launched into the mainstream lexicon recently with GE’s super bowl ad and funding included in the current stimulus package, but the budding industry could falter out of the gate in this economic climate. Smart grid companies are showing some concern over utilities slowing down smart grid rollout plans in the near term, and the stimulus package is actually just a drop in the bucket of the investment needed to launch a nationwide smart grid.

Bridgette Steffen | posted on February 4, 2009

Monterey Bay Shores is a stunning new development set to break ground this month that will convert a desolate disused sand mine into a thriving environmental preserve and eco-resort. Replete with living walls and a five acre green roof, the development boasts an impressive list of green design elements and is working towards LEED Platinum certification. Now, saying that you’re the “Greenest Eco Resort” is quite a claim, but if the Resort builds out all that they have promised, it really will be the most environmentally friendly resort in the US, and possibly in the world. …read full discussion

Katie Fehrenbacher | posted on February 4, 2009

Making data centers more energy efficient in a recession is a clear-cut decision for IT managers: cut power, save money, gain green PR. And the Green Grid organization, a trade group dedicated to reducing energy consumption of data centers, wants to help out. On Wednesday at the group’s second annual forum, it plans to launch an extensive multiyear guide, as well as a new metric, that can aid companies looking to design and operate energy-efficient data centers.

 

Larry Vertal, director of the Green Grid and senior strategist at AMD, told us that the guides, dubbed “Data Centers 2.0,” will focus on how to build out data centers while ensuring that the energy consumption of the individual components are tracked in real time. Real-time monitoring can ensure that the whole center is working as efficiently as possible. The organization, which created the industry standard Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) metric that is found by dividing “total facility power” by “IT equipment power,” will also be highlighting a newer metric called data center productivity, or DCP, which will focus on how much useful work is being done as energy is consumed. …read full discussion

Kate Andrews | posted on February 2, 2009

 

Here at Inhabitat, we have a soft spot for all things green. But we have to make an exception for this rather colorful “Christmas tree” that took center stage on the ground floor reception at communications agency, AMV BBDO throughout the month of December. The rescued dead tree was given new life with the help of graphic designer Alex Ostrowski and illustrator and set maker Hattie Newman who thought to embellish the branches with colorful paper leaves. …read full discussion

Springwise | posted on February 2, 2009

 

 

Realising that green concerns are here to stay, British media agency Curb offers nothing but low-impact advertising. Its clean advertising service (similar to Street Advertising Services and GreenGraffiti, which we featured earlier) uses rainwater to clean logos into grubby pavements, and has been joined by a four other services that are both novel and easy on the environment. …read full discussion

David Ehrlich | posted on February 2, 2009

 

Austin could get one of the biggest solar photovoltaic plants in the country if a deal is approved between Gemini Solar Development and the city-owned Austin Energy. But the planned 30-megawatt project comes as some companies are scaling back their sun-powered operations and laying off staff, so how can San Francisco-based Gemini Solar keep the momentum going?

…read full discussion

Kristie Wilson | posted on January 30, 2009

 

We eco-enthusiasts will soon have a new eco-paradise island to escape to! Bonaire, a part of the Netherlands Antilles, will be the first island in the Caribbean with a 100% sustainable energy supply. In 2007 the local government of Bonaire, who prides on its island’s beauty and natural preservation, agreed to this ambitious project of trashing its fossil fuel energy dependence and in turn, developing an energy system comprised of an 11MW wind farm, 14MW biodiesel plant and a 3.5MW backup battery.  Ecopower Bonaire BV, a consortium of Dutch-German companies, Evelop, Enercon, and local Bonaire Water and Energy Company, is spearheading this project that is expected to complete at the end of 2009. …read full discussion