THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABILITY
AT APPLE
Apple’s commitment to the environment is
stronger today than it has ever been, and whilst
the cynics may say that it’s nothing more than
good PR, creating a greener world is good for
everyone - including Apple. The company’s
commitment to using recycled materials in its
devices should continue to pace up as precious
metals become more scarce, and Apple may
even look to connect with orbital internet from
SpaceX StarLink, a solar-powered orbital
network to the ground devices to remove
the need for telephone masts around the
world. Rumors have already indicated that
Apple is working on a direct competitor to
SpaceX’s orbital internet program to elevate the
Apple ecosystem and innovate further, but
such technology requires billions of dollars of
investment and years of testing.
Apple’s 2019 Environmental Report, released in
April, showed some promising results, with the
company boasting a 35% reduction in carbon
footprint since 2015 - and a 64% reduction
since 2011. However, the company’s 2017 battery
scandal, which has resulted in expensive
lawsuits around the world, demonstrates that
executives don’t always have the interests of
the planet at heart, putting shareholders first in
today’s competitive times, so it’s clear that more
must be done on a cultural level to make the big
fruit of tech greener, both inside and out.
Whatever your opinion of Apple and the
environment, it’s hard not to take the words
of Lisa Jackson, Vice President of Environment,
Policy and Social Initiatives at Apple, seriously.Image: Apple Inc.