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Take it from Greenpeace: https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/greenpeace-response-to-google-carbon-free-by-2030-commitment/ https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/

Take it from Greenpeace: https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/greenpeace-response-to-google-carbon-free-by-2030-commitment/ https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/greenpeace-response-to-g... > Greenpeace response to Google Carbon-Free by 2030 commitment, September 14, 2020 > By becoming the first major tech company to commit to power its data centers with carbon-free energy around the clock, Google is setting a new high-bar for the sector: a break-up with fossil fuels altogether. I didn't think these people could be happy about anything, but what a surprise. Seems like they like Google approach. Now Google needs to deliver, but I have no doubt that they will. It's really just good business for corporations like Facebook, Google and Microsoft to increase efficiency and use the cheapest sources of power i.e. renewable. It just has to take some time to do the switch. There is a lot of infrastructure involved.

craftinator 5y ago
> Now Google needs to deliver, but I have no doubt that they will. Really? I'm thinking there's about a 90% chance that it will be a stillbirth. And if not, how long will they actually keep it up? Not a great track record for maintaining "commitments" past 5 years or so.
- tdeck 5y ago
  Google is well placed to accomplish this goal so I see it as entirely possible. First, Google prints money like no other company. Google can afford carbon offsets and equipment changes. Second, Google consumes energy mostly in the form of electricity, which can be more easily converted to renewables. Google doesn't have a business model that depends on consuming a particular fossil fuel. Third, much of Google's energy consumption is centralized in very large data centers that can be optimized to reduce energy use, capture waste heat, etc... Fourth, this is an area where many Googlers are strongly supportive in addition to being a nice point of pride when marketing to customers.

craftinator 5y ago

> Now Google needs to deliver, but I have no doubt that they will. Really? I'm thinking there's about a 90% chance that it will be a stillbirth. And if not, how long will they actually keep it up? Not a great track record for maintaining "commitments" past 5 years or so.

tdeck 5y ago
Google is well placed to accomplish this goal so I see it as entirely possible. First, Google prints money like no other company. Google can afford carbon offsets and equipment changes. Second, Google consumes energy mostly in the form of electricity, which can be more easily converted to renewables. Google doesn't have a business model that depends on consuming a particular fossil fuel. Third, much of Google's energy consumption is centralized in very large data centers that can be optimized to reduce energy use, capture waste heat, etc... Fourth, this is an area where many Googlers are strongly supportive in addition to being a nice point of pride when marketing to customers.