Labels: efficiency, musician resources
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Even live music is going green.
The Bay Area office for Live Nation, an entertainment venue management company formerly known as Bill Graham Presents that promotes live concerts worldwide, has initiated a program that is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy use and waste generated by six of its local venues, which draw more than 1 million concert goers each year.
The program will be implemented at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View; Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord; and the Fillmore, the Warfield, Punch Line Comedy Club and Cobb's Comedy Club, all in San Francisco.
Live Nation SF is looking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing upgraded parking for hybrid cars and cars with four or more passengers at Shoreline and Sleep Train. It will also purchase carbon offset credits to compensate for emissions generated by fans, employees and artists who attend events.
To reduce power consumption by 10 percent, Live Nation SF will install energy-saving lighting and has already replaced 1,700 bulbs. It will also reduce water use by up to 5 million gallons per year by putting in a new lawn care system and upgrading kitchen equipment.
Lee Smith, chairman of Live Nation SF, said that the company started planning the program last summer and that about 95 percent of the initiatives are in place.
"My biggest concern was to not be fashionable but do what needs to be done," Smith said.
Although some of the initiatives, like replacing the lighting, will cost Live Nation SF money up front, other initiatives are allowing it to save. For instance, composting and recycling at the Warfield could result in an annual savings of $17,000 in waste removal. Live Nation SF has not calculated the full cost of implementing the program.
Of the estimated 800 tons of waste that all six venues now produce, about 223 tons are being recycled. Live Nation SF will try to bring that up to 280 tons, Smith said.
If successful, the program may be replicated in some of the company's 160 other venues globally. Last year, Live Nation organized 26,000 events in 18 countries, drawing nearly 60 million fans.
Maybe the next crop of apples will be locally grown organic? Hey, anything can happen.Labels: efficiency, green renovations, greenhouse gas, San Francisco, venues
Intel and Google Join with Dell, EDS, EPA, HP, IBM, Lenovo, Microsoft, PG&E, World Wildlife Fund and Others to Launch Climate Savers Computing Initiative
Broad Effort Organized to Drive Energy-Efficient Computing; Goal to Save $5.5 Billion in Energy Costs and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 54 Million Tons Per Year*
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jun 12, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Intel Corporation and Google Inc. joined with Dell, EDS, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), HP, IBM, Lenovo, Microsoft, PG&E, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and more than 25 additional organizations today announced the Climate Savers Computing Initiative ( www.climatesaverscomputing.org). The goal of the new broad-based environmental effort is to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by setting aggressive new targets for energy-efficient computers and components, and promoting the adoption of energy-efficient computers and power management tools worldwide.
"Today, the average desktop PC wastes nearly half of its power, and the average server wastes one-third of its power," said Urs Holzle, senior vice president, Operations & Google Fellow. "The Climate Savers Computing Initiative is setting a new 90 percent efficiency target for power supplies, which if achieved, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 54 million tons per year -- and save more than $5.5 billion in energy costs.
"We are asking businesses and individuals throughout the world to join with us to institute better power management of their computing equipment and purchase energy-efficient computers," Holzle added.
Initial companies who intend to participate in the initiative represent both the demand and supply side of the computer industry, including computer manufacturers and chip makers, as well as environmental groups, energy companies, retailers, government agencies and more. The group will formalize its membership in coming weeks.
"By 2010, the Climate Savers Computing Initiative will cut greenhouse gas emissions in an amount equal to removing more than 11 million cars from the road or shutting down 20 500-megawatt coal-fired power plants -- a significant step in reducing the emissions affecting our planet," said Pat Gelsinger, senior vice president and general manager of Intel's Digital Enterprise Group.
"Computers have helped us make huge strides toward a more efficient world today, with reduced travel, more productivity, online transactions and more," Gelsinger added. "But with today's latest energy-efficient technologies, we can do even more. The commitment of the member companies that are here with us today is a firm statement to the collective resolve to make an enormous impact."
Computer and computer component manufacturers who support the initiative are committed to building energy-efficient products that meet or surpass the EPA's Energy Star(R) guidelines. Businesses must also commit to requiring high efficiency systems for the majority of their corporate desktop PCs and volume server purchases, and to deploy and use power management tools on desktop PCs.
Individual consumers can also support the Climate Savers Computing Initiative by signing up at www.climatesaverscomputing.org, where they will be able to pledge to purchase an initiative-certified system. The Web site will also help consumers learn how to take advantage of their existing computer's power-saving capabilities such as sleep and hibernate modes, which can reduce the amount of energy consumed by up to 60 percent.
The Climate Savers Computing Initiative licensed its name from the WWF Climate Savers program, which involves several leading companies working to reduce their carbon footprint.
"This is the first time our Climate Savers program has been applied to an entire sector, engaging manufacturers, retailers and consumers," said John Donoghue, senior vice president for the World Wildlife Fund. "We are pleased to join these industry leaders to provide solutions to address climate change."
The initiative's energy efficiency benchmarks will initially follow the EPA's Energy Star guidelines; but with increasing requirements during the next several years. For example, 2007 Energy Star specifications require that PC power supplies meet at least 80 percent minimum efficiency. The initiative would require a minimum of 90 percent by 2010. In addition, the initiative sets a higher efficiency target in the power supply for volume servers (1U and 2U single-socket and dual-socket systems): an increase from 85 percent to 92 percent efficiency by 2010. For a complete description of the requirements, see www.climatesaverscomputing.org.
Initial Supporters
Intel Corporation ( www.intel.com), Google Inc. (www.google.com), Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. ( www.amd.com), Canonical Ltd. (www.canonical.com), Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society ( www.citris-uc.org), Coldwatt, Inc. ( www.coldwatt.com), Dell Inc. (www.dell.com), Delta Electronics, Inc ( www.delta.com.tw), eBay (www.ebay.com), Electronic Data Systems Corporation ( www.eds.com), EMC Corporation (www.emc.com), Fujitsu Limited ( www.fujitsu.com), HP (www.hp.com), Hipro Technology Inc. ( www.hipro-us.com), Hitachi, Ltd. (www.hitachi.com), IBM Corporation ( www.ibm.com), LANDesk Software (www.landesk.com), Lenovo ( www.lenovo.com), Linux Foundation (www.linux-foundation.com), Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( web.mit.edu), Microsoft Corporation ( www.microsoft.com), Natural Resources Defense Council (www.nrdc.com), NEC Corporation ( www.nec.com), One Laptop Per Child (laptop.org), PG&E Corporation ( www.pgecorp.com), Power-One, Inc. (www.power-one.com), Quanta Computer Inc. ( www.quantatw.com), Rackable Systems (www.rackable.com), Red Hat, Inc. ( www.redhat.com), Starbucks Corporation (www.starbucks.com), Sun Microsystems, Inc. ( www.sun.com), Supermicro Computer Inc. (www.supermicro.com), Ubuntu ( www.ubuntu.com), Unisys (www.unisys.com) United States Environmental Protection Agency ( www.epa.gov), University of Michigan (www.umich.edu), Verdiem Corporation ( www.verdiem.com), World Resources Institute (www.wri.org), World Wildlife Fund ( www.worldwildlife.org), Yahoo! Inc. (www.yahoo.com).
About Intel
Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom. Information on Intel's environmental programs and policies is available at www.intel.com/intel/other/ehs/.
About Google Inc.
Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.
* Based on IDC projections of desktop and server volumes between 2007 and 2011. Emissions savings in mid-2010, and savings are annual starting in 2010.
* Climate Savers (R) is a trademark or registered trademark of WWF used under license.
Intel and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.
SOURCE: Google Inc.
Labels: climate change, computers, efficiency, Google
Remember furbies? Remember how annoying they were? How small children would dote on them in the hopes that they would flourish? Well, here's a similar concept, but not at all annoying....well, they are kind of annoying because I want one and they are not in production yet, but, wow! The device pictured to the left will water and feed a small tree according to its owner's environmental footprint. Things like energy usage, home heating and cooling, and recycling efforts will effect whether or not the tree is given sustaining nutrients and water or damaging poison.THE ENERGY TREE. Every once in a while, we like to feature an interesting bit of conceptual design. Like the Energy Tree. Apparently in an effort to truly unite technology with the physical environment, designer Ben Arent has created a system that contains a real tree connected to a microprocessor. The device controls the watering and feeding of the tree depending on your energy usage, and also monitors your appliances, heating/cooling, and recycling habits. It uses this information to feed and water the tree, but only if you are efficient with your energy use. If you aren't, the Energy Tree will poison and malnourish the tree, eventually killing it.
The system will also be online, using something known as "the collector." The collector is there to encourage people to recycle; Once at the depot the collector will unit will be radioed indicating that you did your job. This system has the added benefit that someone can take your recycling to the facility, while you can still get the credit. You know, to keep your tree alive.
It's a visceral idea, and (natch) still on the drawing board. According to the article, "The EnergyTree will change the perception and view of how power is being used, implementing a complete system looking at device consumption, home consumption and long term sustainability." If you got this far, I think it just did that. ::more ::Ben ArentLabels: efficiency, gadget, high concept, sarah, treehugger
Labels: efficiency
A new solution to Los Angeles' e-waste problem comes from a surprising source: Amoeba Music.
This gigantic music store recently introduced "The Big Green Box" at its Hollywood location. Customers can drop off their old and broken electronic gadgets into this box, instead of sending the unwanted junk to the landfills. Amoeba proudly announced this latest addition to the store in its latest email newsletter:
According to the U.S.E.P.A., (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) computers and electronic goods are the fastest growing waste stream in the U.S. accounting for approximately 220 million pounds of waste per year. So gather up your expired batteries, old cell phones, Walkmans and pagers and bring them to us, we'll make sure they are properly recycled!
Considering the fact that city facilities accepting e-waste are open only during limited days and hours, Amoeba's Big Green Box will come in especially handy for would-be recyclers -- and will introduce the idea of safely disposing of e-waste to music lovers who previously hadn't given it a second thought.
Amoeba's turning out to be a huge independent music store with a green heart. Of course, Amoeba's core business -- buying and selling music -- could be called eco-friendly in its own right. Unlike chain stores like Virgin and Tower, Amoeba buys and resells used CDs, LPs, and DVDs. Not only is Amoeba thriving at a time when many brick-and-mortar music stores are closing up shop, the indie store also allows these CDs and LPs to escape the landfill by finding them new owners.
Recently, Amoeba stepped up its eco-efforts, because according to its website, "with the current state of our environment we felt it necessary to take on a larger, more global focus." This campaign includes Amoeba's "Think Green: 10 Steps for a Greener Tomorrow" educational effort, which encourages individual consumers to take personal action. The store even sells CFL bulbs alongside its CDs.
In addition, Amoeba has ramped up its involvement with environmental organizations. In addition to donating some of its profits to the Rainforest Action Network -- which Amoeba has been doing since it opened its Berkely store in 1990 -- the music store is now also working with the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter and Conservation International.
So the next time you drop by Amoeba Music to sell or buy some new-used music, remember to take your dead batteries and broken toaster with you. Amoeba's open for green business Mon. - Sat. from 10:30 am. - 11 pm, and Sun. from 11 am - 9 pm.
Update from GreenBase: The Big Green Box is now available at Amoeba's San Francisco and Berkeley locations. More information on this effort and Amoeba's new biodegradable plastic bags can be found here.
Labels: efficiency, fan resources
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