A greener Apple?
Bravo! Greenpeace’s Green my Apple campaign that I was writing about a few months ago actually moved Apple founder Steve Jobs to make environmental soundness of their products a top priority. This has been announced a few days ago in a letter from Steve Jobs (prominently linked from the Apple website’s front page) and was of course celebrated by the campaigners.
Well done, everybody that participated–Web 2.0 rocked the real world. But this can only be the beginning, in order to not poison us and our planet with toxic e-waste the whole industry must follow and go beyond. Focus needs to shift from North America and Europe to a more global picture. Poor working conditions of labourers in production and dismantling (especially in low-income countries like China, where most of the computers are produced nowadays) must also be reviewed critically and improved in order to achieve sustainability. I am very much willing to pay a little extra for a sustainable computer. How about you?
Carfree News
QUOTATION OF THE MONTH
“Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you the Democrats, promoting 19th century solutions to 21st century problems. If you don’t like it, ride a bike. If you don’t like the price at the pumps, ride a bike.”
US Congressman Patrick McHenry, who was complaining about a proposed bill from the Democratic party that would provide those who commute to work by bicycle instead of car a monthly $20 tax reduction.
IN THE NEWS
-Norway introduces strict car advertising rules. Beginning this month, Norway puts into effect what has been termed as some of the world’s strictest automobile advertising guidelines. No car can be advertised as “green,” “clean” or “environmentally friendly,” unless extremely well documented, which is quite difficult. The new law comes into effect on October 15th.
-Hungarian Government steps up support for cycling infrastructure. In the aftermath of the world’s largest Critical Mass rides and intensive lobbying efforts on behalf of bicycle advocacy organizations, at the end of August, the Hungarian government approved and signed the final “Cycling Hungary Programme”. This programme has earmarked roughly 235 million Euros, to be spent on cycling matters and infrastructure over the next seven years. The funds will come mainly from EU sources, with the goal to build cycle paths nationwide and promote cycling.
-After a REBAR-like PARK(ing) action in Geneva, Switzerland, the area in question turned permanently carfree, due to the fact that some protected plant species sprung up there, and so the area could no longer be reconverted to parking spaces. Background story in French, including photos: www.ville-ge.ch/geneve/amenagement/site_amena_ephemere/am_03.htm
-The city of Boston, Massachusetts is looking to become a more bicycle friendly place. Mayor Menino has recently declared his interest in bicycling, and the city is about to announce its Bicycle Program, including new bike lanes, among other things. Advocacy group LivableStreets Alliance is following the action (www.livablestreets.info).http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/08/25/menino_puts_new_spin_on_getting_around_the_hub/
-Police attacked and arrested 20 cyclists in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, on a 400 strong Critical Mass ride this past August 31st. According to Indymedia, the police, unprovoked, started attacking the crowd, first with excessively violent arrests, then mace, pepper spray, brandishing batons and using tasers (a type of stun gun) on bikers.http://twincities.indymedia.org/newswire/display/31148/index.php
-In Prague, Czech Republic, a new law stipulates the rights of all citizens, regardless of age, to be entitled to parking passes. As otherwise parking prices are on the rise and becomes exponentially more expensive with each additional car, this has had the unintended effect of many people transferring the ownership of their vehicle to their children. Thus Prague might now be the world leader in the number of young children who own luxury vehicles. http://www.radio.cz/en/issue/95226
-General Motors Corp. (GM) in Detroit, USA is experiencing a strike on behalf of the United Auto Workers. Analysts have noted that if the strike lasts for very long, it could cost the company billions of dollars – around $8 billion in the first month and $7 billion in the second month of strike.
