New Year’s Resolutions Blog

Doing the right thing!

Monday, January 29th, 2007

I’m a big fan of my iPod, but I don’t actually use the iTunes Store that much. This article, though, points out that the iTunes Store has a benefit I’d never thought about before: an environmental one!
The post author’s math is a little fuzzy to me (I don’t quite get the same numbers he does, but I never claimed to be a math expert and maybe we’re using different estimates for the size of a CD case… I don’t have one to measure), but I like his overall point about online music downloads reducing the need for manufacture of physical CDs and their accompanying packaging (jewel cases, plastic wrapping, those horrible stickers that never want to come off the CD, etc.). I’m not convinced there aren’t trade-offs (some commenters on the post point out that iPods and other digital music players have their manufacturing and packaging costs to the environment as well), but I do think that a general move toward digitization has the potential for positive environmental effects.

While I can’t quite embrace the idea of reading entire novels in ebook format, I’m a major supporter of online newspapers and magazines and would support a move away from printing more timely periodicals on paper. I think the ebook’s day hasn’t quite come yet, but online media is surging fast, and investing in creating a better website may be be more profitable for many companies than investing in printing on paper (and “murdering” trees in the process).

It does take significant amounts of energy to power the computers and servers needed for online music and media, but that’s why we shouldn’t give up on exploring alternative forms of energy. But I do think there’s something positive about products that don’t require physical packaging or presence. It’s sort of strange, yes, but it might also be the future.

And speaking of the future, here’s the new “user-generated content” type site where I found the article in question: DoTheRightThing.com. It’s a place for people to submit news related to companies (and possibly individuals? I’m not sure) doing the “right thing,” whether that’s engaging in environmentally friendly practices, offering great benefits to workers, successfully resolving sticky customer complaints, or anything else that seems notable. It’s still pretty new, but worth checking on once in a while.

Okay, since this isn’t exactly an “alternative energy” blog OR a “web 2.0″ blog, I suppose I should give an update on my New Year’s resolution progress. I’m still going strong, and this week I actually begin my marathon training program FOR REAL! That means there are only 26 weeks until July 29–YIKES! Can you believe it? I’m feeling well prepared to handle my scheduled running, and I’ve also devised some good techniques for fitting in workouts during a busy day (wake up early sometimes, run during lunch sometimes, have workout gear in the car at all times, just in case!). I’m confident so far. Hope everyone else is doing well with their resolutions. Don’t hesitate to post your progress! Best of luck to all.

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