Apple Environment VP Lisa Jackson Speaks About Apple's Renewable Energy Efforts in Earth Day Live Series

[MacRumors]

Apple's vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives Lisa Jackson today participated in the Earth Day Live series on Twitch, where she talked about Apple's environmental efforts.

Jackson started things off by speaking a bit about her background and what inspired her to advocate for the environment and join the EPA prior to taking on her current role at Apple.

Before coming to Apple, I led the Environmental Protection Agency under President Obama. But long before that, I was an 8-year-old girl who saw my neighbors in New Orleans battling illness caused by chemical plants in our backyard. A girl who in 1970, wrote a letter to President Nixon imploring him to do something to protect the health of the people and the environment. That same year, we celebrated Earth Day in the U.S. for the very first time. And by the end of 1970, the EPA had officially opened its doors.

At the time, I had no idea I'd go on to work at the EPA and one day lead it, but I did know that at the heart of my concern for the planet was the health of people. Communities, families, people who deserve a healthy place to live, clean water to drink, and clean air to breathe.

Jackson went on to explain that every individual, business, and organization must take action to address climate change. "Policy is one solution, innovation is another," she said before delving into Apple's environmental efforts.

As Apple has said many times in the past, all of its facilities worldwide are run on renewable energy, and it has a program to help suppliers transition to 100 percent renewable energy as well. Apple has also been focusing heavily on using recycled materials in its products, with an ultimate goal of a closed-loop supply chain that relies solely on recycled materials and does not require minerals mined from the earth.

Jackson wrapped up her appearance with an inspiring message for up and coming environmental advocates.

On this 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we have much to be proud of, much to hope for, and much more to accomplish. Today's eight year olds are facing even greater challenges, but they also know a thing or two about the urgent work that lies ahead and that the health of our planet and our neighbors is a cause worth fighting for.

Jackson's full appearance can be watched on Twitch. To celebrate Earth Day, Apple is also highlighting Earth Day related apps in the App Store, but as stores are closed there are no retail store decorations nor is there an Apple Watch activity badge to earn.

Article Link: Apple Environment VP Lisa Jackson Speaks About Apple's Renewable Energy Efforts in Earth Day Live Series

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

That’s Roseanne Barr.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

While Apple continues to make products with soldered and glued components, and refuse to sell simple spare parts, making it difficult to upgrade, repair, and extend the life of products, any attempt to talk about their care for the environment is vomitous hypocrisy. On this 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Lisa Jackson, your job a joke.

 

[smuzzy]

While Apple continues to make products with soldered and glued components, and refuse to sell simple spare parts, making it difficult to upgrade, repair, and extend the life of products, any attempt to talk about their care for the environment is vomitous hypocrisy. On this 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Lisa Jackson, your job a joke.

False. Apple has a worldwide recycling and trade-in program that takes any Apple device, and their environmental record is second to none. 100% renewable energy in all their facilities, recycled enclosures, great year-over-year reduction in carbon footprint. The numbers speak for themselves. Lisa Jackson is first in class.

 

[needsomecoffee]

False. Apple has a worldwide recycling and trade-in program that takes any Apple device, and their environmental record is second to none. 100% renewable energy in all their facilities, recycled enclosures, great year-over-year reduction in carbon footprint. The numbers speak for themselves. Lisa Jackson is first in class.

A small amount of Apple devices are recycled by Apple. Apple requires all other recyclers to shred Apple devices to ensure they are not broken down for parts. Apple opposes right to repair. Apple heavily restricts access to replacement parts. Yeah, but they buy enough credits to be green, and, obviously, their PR and marketing departments are working well.

 

[TooMuchPhone]

Why can’t Apple just make better products and stop virtue signaling- Steve never did this.

Apple has no moral high ground given how our precious toys are produced

 

[mv24]

While Apple continues to make products with soldered and glued components, and refuse to sell simple spare parts, making it difficult to upgrade, repair, and extend the life of products, any attempt to talk about their care for the environment is vomitous hypocrisy. On this 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Lisa Jackson, your job a joke.

Totally agree. In addition the entire notion of the "renewable energy" is false. Do you know what is amortization period for the solar panels installed on top of the new Apple building? At least 10 years. And this is only financial aspect. How about polluted water which had to be used during production of those panels? If it is not hypocrisy what is it?

 

[code-m]

Totally agree. In addition the entire notion of the "renewable energy" is false. Do you know what is amortization period for the solar panels installed on top of the new Apple building? At least 10 years. And this is only financial aspect. How about polluted water which had to be used during production of those panels? If it is not hypocrisy what is it?

Energy is transferred/transformed. Rather than renewable I prefer sustainable, there are too many falsehoods of people and companies marketing to do good when in fact they fail to see the entire picture with its product cycle from design, creation, production (includes acquiring raw materials), transportation, usage and finally disposal (repurposed). Apple is one of the few companies that does a good job, probably because their were under pressure from Green Peace along with other companies and has gradually changed to align its company with the mindset of younger consumers.

Many companies "Green Wash", I am not saying that Apple may or mayn't be participating in this to some degree, I am just saying their track record of recent history is better than others in this space.

It is more environmentally friendly to hold on to an iPhone that will last 3-5 years with the latest iOS update compared to the competition that will be replaced in 18-24 months with maybe 1-2 security updates and if lucky a major OS update. What pollutes more with the entire product cycle compared to an iOS device.
[automerge]1587623755[/automerge]

Why can’t Apple just make better products and stop virtue signaling- Steve never did this.

Apple has no moral high ground given how our precious toys are produced

Please read my post.

 

[MacRalf]

Apple's decision to leave the headphone jack out of iPhones and the iPad Pro is totally out of sync with the fancy marketing blah for renewable energy. Apple says it is very committed to this, but this mainly concerns things that we can not see. There are still far too many products of which the battery cannot be replaced (is there currently such a product from Apple?)

 

[code-m]

Apple's decision to leave the headphone jack out of iPhones and the iPad Pro is totally out of sync with the fancy marketing blah for renewable energy. Apple says it is very committed to this, but this mainly concerns things that we can not see. There are still far too many products of which the battery cannot be replaced (is there currently such a product from Apple?)

It is unfortunate but more "green energy" products use batteries, like electric/hybrid transportation, power back-up systems, power banks, smart accessories, etc. Rather than complain about it, and I do agree it has an environmental impact especially in South America (lithium), there are promising battery technology like carbon nano tubes that due to the demand for this battery tech the cost and speed of availability is making it to market sooner. Plus it spurs innovation in this space.

While I have nothing against an audio jack and wired headphones/earphones the mobile industry is moving towards wireless.

 

[japasneezemonk]

Totally agree. In addition the entire notion of the "renewable energy" is false. Do you know what is amortization period for the solar panels installed on top of the new Apple building? At least 10 years. And this is only financial aspect. How about polluted water which had to be used during production of those panels? If it is not hypocrisy what is it?

I disagree with the notion that Apple's leadership doesn't give a hoot about the environmental effects of their business, although, that's just my personal opinion along with my belief that not every human being out there is a money hungry scum bag.

However, if we are nitpicking about how their marketing team decides to "Green Wash" their capital budgeting decisions to make them look good, then let's at least be clear on why the decisions make financial sense.

In regards to choosing to toot their horn on solar panels and going 100% renewable. I decided I'd do some googling. Keep in mind I am not a CPA nor a Financial Analyst.

It seems Solar Panels are depreciated, not amortized (you only amortize intangible assets) over the course of 5 years using MACRS rates (Accelerated depreciation) instead of straight line depreciation. Apple can depreciate a huge chunk (85%) of the total cost of the Solar Systems' cost to cover tax liabilities from their taxable income. These savings along with the significant efficiency of having to use less fossil fuels in their campus probably means that the initial investment is recouped fairly quickly and is a Win-Win for Apple. Couple that with a few decades of very cheap or nearly free energy and Apple's Shareholders aren't going to be complaining.

Regarding the water pollution in the production of the panels. That I know nothing about.

 

[moinD]

False. Apple has a worldwide recycling and trade-in program that takes any Apple device, and their environmental record is second to none. 100% renewable energy in all their facilities, recycled enclosures, great year-over-year reduction in carbon footprint. The numbers speak for themselves. Lisa Jackson is first in class.

Maybe you have heard about the three Rs - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. They are written in the order of priority. Reducing consumption and reusing is much more environment friendly than recycling. So if apple makes their repair parts available and make repair easier, a lot of people can reuse their devices for a much longer time and thereby reduce consumption.

 

[femike]

The hypocrisy is glaring, as others have pointed out here.
And the snippets of what she said, is meaningless corporate gibberish.

 

[icanhazapple]

Energy is transferred/transformed. Rather than renewable I prefer sustainable, there are too many falsehoods of people and companies marketing to do good when in fact they fail to see the entire picture with its product cycle from design, creation, production (includes acquiring raw materials), transportation, usage and finally disposal (repurposed). Apple is one of the few companies that does a good job, probably because their were under pressure from Green Peace along with other companies and has gradually changed to align its company with the mindset of younger consumers.

Many companies "Green Wash", I am not saying that Apple may or mayn't be participating in this to some degree, I am just saying their track record of recent history is better than others in this space.

It is more environmentally friendly to hold on to an iPhone that will last 3-5 years with the latest iOS update compared to the competition that will be replaced in 18-24 months with maybe 1-2 security updates and if lucky a major OS update. What pollutes more with the entire product cycle compared to an iOS device.
[automerge]1587623755[/automerge]


Please read my post.

spot on

 

[H2SO4]

The hypocrisy is glaring, as others have pointed out here.
And the snippets of what she said, is meaningless corporate gibberish.

It is but Apple have a difficult balance to strike, (no more than anybody else admittedly). Part of 'the Apple way', is to package the life out of things and whilst they may say that they will take your old devices back in, (for peanuts), and recycle them they still can do a lot more.
They need to pay more attention to;

But then WE, need to pay more attention to;

 

[Rojaaemon]

I bet her Carbon footprint is 20 times the size of mine, year after year.

 

[Trebora]

I believe she makes an appearance in this film.

Be sure to read reviews that are up for other viewpoints.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

Totally agree. In addition the entire notion of the "renewable energy" is false. Do you know what is amortization period for the solar panels installed on top of the new Apple building? At least 10 years. And this is only financial aspect. How about polluted water which had to be used during production of those panels? If it is not hypocrisy what is it?

Well yes, solar and batteries aren't chemical free and perfectly clean, but if you really believe that the production of a solar panel is dirtier than the production and burning of the amount of fossil fuels that it replaces over it's life, then I think you've been reading too much of the FUD being put out by the fossil fuel industry.

Meanwhile, solar and batteries are getting cheaper, and thus it's accelerating. Even the Kentucky Coal Museum famously switched to solar, simply because it was cheaper. So you know that once a coal museum goes solar due to price, the days of coal and oil are numbered.

I live in one of the most right wing cities in Australia, and solar panels are going up on roofs like no tomorrow, simply because it's much cheaper than being stuck on the coal powered grid. And yes, that's including taking into account the life span of the solar system. On top of that, we all know that once the system needs replacing, the new ones will be even cheaper and more efficient.

Also, meanwhile, Tesla is currently putting the finishing touches on it's new Roadster sports car, on which Elon Musk has said that part of the design idea is to make an electric production car that is so superior in performance to gasoline cars, that every petrol head will have no choice but to sit up and take notice and want one (and even then, he's made it a 4 seater, convertible, and with 1000km range, so he could have made it even more insanely high performance with only 2 seats, hardtop, and 500km range). So, regardless of anyone's beliefs on who is cleaner, electric and solar are winning, purely on performance and price.

 

[soulinvestor]

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man (woman) who points out how the strong man(woman) stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man (woman) in the areana, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs, who comes up short again and again because there is no effort without error and shortcoming but who does actually strive to do the deeds,who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself (herself) in a worthy cause". Theodore Roosevelt

Liza is helping Apple becoming a much better corporate citizen. Their work on green energy in their supply chain is outstanding. Its not easy or perfect but so much better than many other conpanies.
Are any of you critics above doing anything similar or are you just couch critics?

 

[ghanwani]

I believe she makes an appearance in this film.

Yes, here: