The Road to Carbon Neutrality

Considering their big factories, excessive traveling and massive office buildings, it seems like the carbon footprint of the corporate world is something we should be concerned about, but maybe not for long. The Wall Street Journal reports that well known computer manufacturer Dell, is taking steps to become ‘carbon ‘neutral.’ In other words, the company is considering ways to help reduce the negative effect it has on the environment and has began calling itself the “greenest technology company on the planet.”

Question: What does that mean?

Answer: It all depends on how you look at it. Dell considers its efforts to use less electricity in its office buildings, use less business air travel and reduce the emissions from boilers and company-owned cars as the best path to carbon neutrality.

It’s commendable sure, but is Dell really doing all it can to lessen its carbon footprint? Some aren’t convinced.

Not-so-eco-friendly things associated with Dell include the oil used to make computer parts and the fuel used by transportation for shipping. But as nice as it would be to do without the harmful aspects of the popular computer company, things just are not that simple, and Dell says that it’s impossible for them to control the “green” ways of their suppliers and transporters, which are separate companies altogether.

But to make up for this, Dell has begun purchasing environmental “credits.” Are you familiar with this?

Although the company still includes practices that are harmful to the environment in its everyday business dealings, Dell throws money at environment improvements put in place by other companies, including wind turbines or planting forests.

Lucky for us, Dell isn’t the only company that has made the resolution to reduce its carbon footprint. Google, Yahoo, Timberland Shoe Company and News Corp. have all made vows to cutback for the sake of mother earth.