Facebook comes under fire from Greenpeace
Is Greenpeace’s criticism of Facebook distracting people from the real issues?
From a PR perspective, it’s been a pretty bad year for Facebook. From a previous post: “It’s certainly not been smooth sailing for Facebook recently: they’ve been accused of secretly adding applications to people’s profiles, exposing (supposedly) private chats and disclosing information about its users to third parties without their consent.” The company behind the world’s largest social network has even earned criticism from Greenpeace because of its supposed relationship with coal. From the Greenpeace blog: “Last month, Facebook announced that it was building its first data center, in Prineville, Oregon, in the northwest of the US. Unfortunately for the climate, we soon found out that instead of renewable energy, Facebook chose to operate its data center with energy from Pacific Power, a utility that is fuelled primarily by coal.” Greenpeace are now encouraging people to join their Facebook: Unfriend Coal group – on, erm, Facebook.
The increasing amount of energy used by data centers is undoubtedly a real concern. Greenpeace say that at current growth rates data centers and telecommunication networks will consume about 1,963 billion kilowatts hours of electricity in 2020 – more than the current electricity consumption of France, Germany, Canada and Brazil combined. Ouch! It’s a problem that definitely needs to be addressed, but targeting Facebook – or, for that matter, any other company – is really not the best way forward.
It concerns me that Greenpeace would lead – or, more accurately, mislead – people to believe that they can bring about change simply by joining a Facebook group. Sorry, folks, but it’s not so easy. If you really want to help the environment, you need to make some personal sacrifice. That’s right, you need to abandon the SUV. You need to substantially reduce your own environmental footprint. You need spend a few hours crafting a letter to the appropriate political representative demanding that they create an economy in which the most environmentally sound outcome is also the most profitable one for businesses. In other words, you need to take real action – action that will not be without pain. Clicking a “Like” button to join a Facebook group simply will not cut it. And nor will it cause Facebook to abandon their plans to construct a data center in Pineville, Oregon.
What do you think, Sync readers? Is the Facebook: Unfriend Coal Facebook group a step in the right direction or should Greenpeace be telling people what they really need to do in order to bring about change and help the environment? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.
I think people should stop picking on facebook. Problem is facebook is such a big target, everyone is figuring out a way to go after them.
It is funny how these tree huggers are chewing the very company that they are using to try to push their message. It makes no sense that they are using every avenue such as computers and media as well as gas powered boats and cars to get the message of saving our planet. Maybe if they would ride bikes or walk and ask people to listen to the message, people might take them seriously!
Maybe you should not criticize because they fight for the survival of our planet and people, and trust me they go to great lengths to cut back their carbon footprint. Most of their cars, helicopters or boats run off of hydrogen or biofuels. And what better place to start campaigning against facebook than on facebook. Just because they use coal doesn’t mean we shouldn’t use it. It’s a great way for Greenpeace to share news about tbe enivronment and its a great way to get people to realize facebook shouldn’t use coal!!!!
I think facebook is not safe to be on because some people put their own info and etc. Facebook is NOT a safety website in my opinion. It would be better if people uses facebook for few minutesz or it would be even better if people don’t put their personal info or photos because people can do anything with photos or your information. People should NOT sign up for facebook(in my opinion). Once you get on facebook u can’t help it so it’s better to just add ur friendz on msn or skype!
This whole Greenpeace thing is dumb and deceptive. Greenpeace is making millions of dollars by scaring the gullible and naive. That is their business. They take data that they like and extrapolate it until it is unrecognizable to frighten the “Johns” of this world.
Forest fires and volcanoes contribute much, much more so-called greenhouse gases to our atmosphere than do our SUV’s etc. If activists want to make a difference, go to India or China and protest there. China puts a new coal powered generating station online every twelve days. Astronauts have observed a permanent smog over both these countries. Go to where the real problems are located and see how quickly the authorities will throw you out of their borders.
Greenpeace rules screw you Bob
Now John, you must be a greenpeace tree hugger. Nothing intelligent to say other than screw you Bob when you know he is right. Hop on your bio-fuel boat and head to China. Or better yet, do some real research and get your facts straight. Kiss both mine and Bob’s asses you silly bitch!