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Comment by yalogin | Hacker News Reader

So what's the point? Do you think its still better than not using renewable energy or not? Also there is no mandate to use 100% renewable energy is there?

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The point is that this is green washing, and the bulk of their manufacturing operations is excluded from this "100%" figure.

I don't understand. The article clearly says the data center is using renewable energy right? You say it like its a bad thing. Every one knows the manufacturing side is what it is. Where is the intent to fool anyone here? Please point me to it.

In the linked article Apple also states that the entire company runs on 75% renewable energy. This is the figure I am criticizing.

Even there they only say corporate facilities and nothing about manufacturing (which is done by outside companies). Do you think they are lying about their corporate facilities using 75% renewable energy? If so can you please point me to any article contradicting that?

Never said they were lying. I am saying its a purely PR number that doesn't accurately depict the amount of energy that is used for them thrive as much as they have.

Basically, they are talking about their corporate operations and ignoring the actual resources consumed during their products' lifecycle from manufacture->distribution->sale->use->recycling/disposal. Hence my comment that they are green-washing.

Wow. Sorry to harp on this but you can criticize Apple when they deserve it not because you want to. You are essentially saying they are lying (green-washing) and accusing them of covering up their energy usage in their manufacturing flow. When all they talked about was their energy usage on the corporate side. Are you even reading the same article that the OP posted? Where are you reading that Apple tried to lie? This is a non-story, nothing to read into it at all. A simple nod would have been enough. There is no conspiracy or lying or cover up here. If you see it point it to me.

I never said they lied, spin is a better word for it. Look it up http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenwashing

From their website (http://www.apple.com/environment/our-footprint/) facilities make up 2% of the 'footprint' of Apple products. Making a big deal about 75% of 2% being green, I call that green-washing. I agree, it's a non-story.

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