You Know That...

You know that the market motivation for “sustainability” has hit the big time when Microsoft sponsors a government CIO Summit with a green theme.

One of the more interesting presentations discussed how Microsoft's Business Communications Software can be used to reduce carbon footprints by reducing travel.   

Probably valid, but there was no mention of it in the product announcement last October. 

Just Microsoft noticing that growing green wave?

You know that energy efficiency is gaining ground when EDS sponsors a “Green IT” event in Calgary, Alberta Canada, the heart of Canadian oil and gas.

Contributing to the EDS green initiative, I wrote an article for the latest issue of Synnovation magazine. This is an EDS publication – green cover and recycled paper – showcasing the ideas of several EDS Agility Alliance partners. (More accurately, I drafted the article, which was then treated to some very talented editing by Maria Gorsuch Kennedy, who heads up sustainability communications at EMC.)

The event was well attended. And the message was well received once the realization hit that efficiency meant less waste, reduced costs and savings that apply directly to the bottom line.

You know that the complexity and interconnectedness of energy issues is being recognized when the Boston Globe features home energy efficiency audits and a “quiet revolution in power lines” on the editorial page.   

Maybe enough people are really starting to pay attention.

Maybe even enough to make a difference?

And you know that times are really changing when my small traditional hometown, Hingham Massachusetts – founded in 1635, commissions a study to understand and reduce the town’s carbon footprint. 

You know that you have proof of virtualization going mainstream when it shows up in the Dilbert comic strip.

While I participated as a panelist / speaker at both the Microsoft and EDS events, I had nothing to do with Dilbert. He needs no help from me. (Which is a good thing because my kids keep insisting that I am not that funny. Of course, that is because they don’t think that embarrassing them in public should count as funny.)

For genuinely funny, Dilbert is probably the most consistent, on target running social commentary since “Shoe” addressed the paperless office.

There are lots of ways to look at these topics.  It’s great to see that lots more people are.