Apple CEO Tim Cook shares 'optimistic' views on reversing climate change & selling green products to

Posted:
in General Discussion edited September 2014
Taking part in the Climate Week NYC kickoff on Monday, Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook expressed a self-described "optimistic" outlook on his company's ability to affect climate change, saying that he believes that consumers, when given the choice, will do the right thing and buy green products.




"Consumers will vote with their dollars," Cook said in an interview in Manhattan on Monday. "There's no one out there that wants the planet to go in the wrong direction or to continue to go in the wrong direction."

Cook was invited to participate as part of the enterprise-focused "global solutions" portion of the event, focused on helping to create a "vibrant, low carbon economy." On that subject, Cook said he doesn't believe that there has to be a trade-off between the economy and the environment.

While the CEO admitted that it is hard work to address the environment while also maintaining profitability, he said Apple strives to be an example and show how both can be achieved through innovation.


Under the leadership of Cook, Apple has been more open and forthright about its environmental initiatives than it was with late co-founder Steve Jobs at the helm. Cook acknowledged that being more open allows Apple to set a standard for the industry, and also to be honest with consumers.

"We're very secretive about what products we're working on, you may not have noticed," he joked. "But on something like climate, on human rights, on education, we feel deeply about these. These are at the core of who we are. They are deep in our values. And we know that we will not make enough of a difference if we only solve our little piece of the world."

In particular, Cook said that improving environmental impacts through its supply chain partners encompasses "dirty and detailed work." But the company has managed to eliminate toxins and create highly recyclable, energy efficient electronics that maintain their appeal with consumers.

"I'm an optimist," the CEO said. "I think consumers are really smart, and I think the vast, vast, vast majority of the world wants to do the right thing."

Cook also made note of his company's new "spaceship" Campus 2, which he said he believes will be the greenest building on the planet. Not only do Apple executives want this facility to be environmentally friendly, he said, but it's an important aspect for employees as well. And in his eyes, consumers agere too.

"All of these things matter deeply to us, and we believe they matter to consumers," he said.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 128
    I can't believe that people believe this stupidity...
  • Reply 2 of 128
    Originally Posted by dalutulak View Post

    …this stupidity…

     

    Can we please just lock the thread and leave it at this? That way both sides can continue to delude themselves into ignoring the truth, thinking the post applies to the other.

  • Reply 3 of 128
    crowleycrowley Posts: 10,453member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post

     

     

    Can we please just lock the thread and leave it at this? That way both sides can continue to delude themselves into ignoring the truth, thinking the post applies to the other.


    I'm going to assume the post was self-referential, just to be contrary ;)

  • Reply 4 of 128
    apple ][apple ][ Posts: 9,233member

    I am a big Apple fan, and I am always prepared to slay a Fandroid or two, when needed, but sorry, I don't buy into this "climate change" baloney. There are far greater problems and concerns to deal with.

     

    And by the way, that climate change march in New York City was attended by hypocritical, dirty slobs who left behind vast amounts of garbage everywhere that they went. Screw those people and their "cause". And whatever happened to "global warming"? They changed their propaganda and now it's all about "climate change"!

     

    More energy efficient processors and the like are a good thing, because they allow for greater battery life on mobile devices, but I am against "green" products in general.

  • Reply 5 of 128
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Apple ][ View Post

     

    I am a big Apple fan, and I am always prepared to slay a Fandroid or two, when needed, but sorry, I don't buy into this "climate change" baloney. There are far greater problems and concerns to deal with.

     

    And by the way, that climate change march in New York City was attended by hypocritical, dirty slobs who left behind vast amounts of garbage everywhere that they went. Screw those people and their "cause". And whatever happened to "global warming"? They changed their propaganda and now it's all about "climate change"!

     

    More energy efficient processors and the like are a good thing, because they allow for greater battery life on mobile devices, but I am against "green" products in general.




    I'm against green products too.  I prefer mine in space grey. <img class=" src="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies//lol.gif" />

  • Reply 6 of 128
    rogifanrogifan Posts: 10,669member
    As long as I don't have to pay for Apple's climate change nonsense let them do whatever they want. The minute they start having to raise prices to fund their green agenda then you'll see people voting with their wallets.
  • Reply 7 of 128
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Apple ][ View Post

     

    I am a big Apple fan, and I am always prepared to slay a Fandroid or two, when needed, but sorry, I don't buy into this "climate change" baloney. There are far greater problems and concerns to deal with.

     

    And by the way, that climate change march in New York City was attended by hypocritical, dirty slobs who left behind vast amounts of garbage everywhere that they went. Screw those people and their "cause". And whatever happened to "global warming"? They changed their propaganda and now it's all about "climate change"!

     

    More energy efficient processors and the like are a good thing, because they allow for greater battery life on mobile devices, but I am against "green" products in general.




    Ugh.

  • Reply 8 of 128
    crowleycrowley Posts: 10,453member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Nobodyy View Post

     



    Ugh.


    I agree with this!

  • Reply 9 of 128
    lkrupplkrupp Posts: 10,557member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Apple ][ View Post

     

    I am a big Apple fan, and I am always prepared to slay a Fandroid or two, when needed, but sorry, I don't buy into this "climate change" baloney. There are far greater problems and concerns to deal with.

     

    And by the way, that climate change march in New York City was attended by hypocritical, dirty slobs who left behind vast amounts of garbage everywhere that they went. Screw those people and their "cause". And whatever happened to "global warming"? They changed their propaganda and now it's all about "climate change"!

     

    More energy efficient processors and the like are a good thing, because they allow for greater battery life on mobile devices, but I am against "green" products in general.




    The trouble with the “climate change” movement is that, at its core, it is an anti-capitalist, socialist political movement. The big parade in New York featured giant signs denouncing capitalism and corporations. In Europe it’s the same thing. “Big” oil and “big coal” are easy targets because nobody likes to pay their energy bills every month. Of course nuclear is still a big no-no even though some prominent environmentalists have rethought their opposition in a sort of “lesser of two evils” way of thinking. Hydroelectric is denounced because of what dams do to migrating fish don’t you know. Wind turbines kill bald eagles and other birds, so much so that the Interior department had to modify its stance and fines to accommodate the wind farmers. Solar takes up a lot of real estate and is NOT a dependable source  for powering the national grid. So far all these alternate forms of energy can do nothing but act as supplements to coal, oil, and natural gas. My oldest son is an engineer who designs HRSG (heat recovery steam generation) systems, add-ons to existing power plants. He says total reliance on so-called clean energy is still decades away.

  • Reply 10 of 128
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Crowley View Post

     

    I agree with this!


    Every time I start to like him he goes and says something ignorant. There is nothing wrong with trying to do better with our climate. 

  • Reply 11 of 128
    "...he believes that consumers, when given the choice, will do the right thing and buy green products."

    Buying "green" for most folks is having it made in Asia where they screw up their environment with chemicals in the soil, water, and air... instead of over here where we gotta live. You can think of it like a form of Asian birth control... /s
  • Reply 12 of 128
    apple ][ wrote: »
    I am a big Apple fan, and I am always prepared to slay a Fandroid or two, when needed, but sorry, I don't buy into this "climate change" baloney. There are far greater problems and concerns to deal with.

    And by the way, that climate change march in New York City was attended by hypocritical, dirty slobs who left behind vast amounts of garbage everywhere that they went. Screw those people and their "cause". And whatever happened to "global warming"? They changed their propaganda and now it's all about "climate change"!

    More energy efficient processors and the like are a good thing, because they allow for greater battery life on mobile devices, but I am against "green" products in general.

    DING DING DING BINGO!!! The global warming to the climate change bait and switch. Now it's not only when the earth gets "warmer" but now even when it just changes!!!
  • Reply 13 of 128

    I have to say I don't understand the skeptic POV in the slightest. Whether you believe the Science or not is irrelevant in my opinion. I see it as an issue that can only do good for the one home we have.

     

    Sustainability is something we should strive for in every area of life, no? Why be lazy and wasteful? Being 'green' is helpful to productivity, efficiency, economy, health, ecosystems and overall sustainability. Sounds in line with Apple's whole ethos to me. 

  • Reply 14 of 128
    ibeamibeam Posts: 322member

    The chief argument for those who deny that the Earth's climate could be adversely affected by human activity, is that there is no scientific proof whatsoever. Ironically, these are generally the same people who believe there is a god, a savior and a heaven despite the same lack of scientific evidence.

  • Reply 15 of 128

    You are against green products in general?  LOL I wish I could put your comment in a time capsule, so 100 years from now, people will know why we have to wear masks outside.  Are you under the impression that we can just keep increasing our population, and recklessly using our natural resources and expect no consequences?  If you keep reaching into that bag of Doritos your mom bought you, don't you eventually run out?  Do you think "pollution" is just a made up liberal word?  You don't think there are any consequences to an increasing planetary population?  More people, more cars, more used up resources.  Where do you think smog goes?  Do you think it turns into unicorns and fairies?  You don't even have to understand the science behind it to be able to comprehend this stuff.  Its freaking common sense.  I'd tell you that you are a joke, but there is nothing funny about your level of ignorance.  

  • Reply 16 of 128
    Originally Posted by Dazabrit View Post

    Sustainability is something we should strive for in every area of life, no? Why be lazy and wasteful? Being 'green' is helpful to productivity, efficiency, economy, health, ecosystems and overall sustainability. Sounds in line with Apple's whole ethos to me. 


     

    But that’s entirely removed from global warming. Respecting your environment is its own imperative.

  • Reply 17 of 128
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by whoda View Post

     

    You are against green products in general?  LOL I wish I could put your comment in a time capsule, so 100 years from now, people will know why we have to wear masks outside.  Are you under the impression that we can just keep increasing our population, and recklessly using our natural resources and expect no consequences?  If you keep reaching into that bag of Doritos your mom bought you, don't you eventually run out?  Do you think "pollution" is just a made up liberal word?  You don't think there are any consequences to an increasing planetary population?  More people, more cars, more used up resources.  Where do you think smog goes?  Do you think it turns into unicorns and fairies?  You don't even have to understand the science behind it to be able to comprehend this stuff.  Its freaking common sense.  I'd tell you that you are a joke, but there is nothing funny about your level of ignorance.  


    *steps off soapbox*

  • Reply 18 of 128

    Climate change and global warming are one in the same.  There is no bait and switch.  People stopped calling it global warming because stupid people kept saying, "Its not getting warmer out, its snowing outside".  Global warming does not mean every day from here on out will be increasingly hotter than the day before.  LOL  Stupid people.  Can't live with them, can't kill them all.  

  • Reply 19 of 128
    apple ][ wrote: »
    And whatever happened to "global warming"? They changed their propaganda and now it's all about "climate change"!

    Global Warming got changed to Climate Change when a bunch of Global Warming scientist got iced in down in Antarctica a couple years back. I've lived long enough to remember when they used to blame the climate changes on the A-tests. "We never used to have weather like this before they started blowing off all them atomic bombs."

    Yeah, that's a real quote.

    Now, I have to say it's kinda sad to see what we've done to this world just during the time I've been living on it, and I wonder what's going to have to happen to effect some real change. Most of you have no idea what the sky looked like 3/4 of a century ago.
  • Reply 20 of 128

    Just like not all black people like watermelon, and not all Mexicans are lazy, not everyone that believes in a God is an idiot.  

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