12 January 2007

Buy a computer, plant a tree?


Dell announced a new program would they would be willing to charge you an extra few bucks to plant a tree when you buy a computer (2$/laptop, $6/PC). The idea is about creating a carbon neutral policy, but the mechanism for implementing it is pretty odd. If Dell thinks they should get any sustainability credit for helping YOU spend money on trees, they are deeply confused. They should be insisting that for every machine they build, that THEY will match it with a proportionate response. After all, they are the ones profiting from this.

Institutional barriers abound. Anyone working for a government agency or on a government grant won't be allowed to check the box. How many clients would switch away from Dell over a $6 increase in price? How customers would switch to Dell if they simply insisted on a carbon neutral business model?

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