Facebook Goes Green

Facebook, the world's most-used social networking website, has revolutionized the way an entire generation communicates. Now Facebook is using its unparalleled popularity to encourage users to live more sustainably. Through its new initiative Green on Facebook, the company hopes to help users think about how their daily choices – including energy use – can make a major impact on the environment. Launched in late October, Green on Facebook has already been “liked” by more than 60,000 users.

A Forum for Green Friends

“Green on Facebook is focused on empowering Facebook users to embrace energy-efficient living and environmental responsibility while also providing our green partners with a platform for connecting with a broad audience,” said David Mack, who works with the Green on Facebook team.

The main feature of Green on Facebook is an ongoing stream of “green” news articles posted by Facebook, which users can comment on and discuss. Articles come from a variety of sources, including NPR, Grist, Mother Nature Network and Yahoo! Green. This variety targets users' different interests. As Mack noted, “While each post may not appeal to every person, the diversity of topics is a useful way to get people thinking about how they can bring green to their everyday lives.”

Green Partners

Green on Facebook also is a place where Facebook showcases its green partners, including the Alliance to Save Energy, Digital Energy Solutions Campaign and The Green Grid.

Currently, this portion of Green on Facebook simply links to each partner. However, additional development of these partnerships is in the works.

“The unique Facebook-Alliance partnership to educate users about LivingEfficiently.org is a great example of the types of programs we’ll be expanding in 2011,” Mack said.

Green Programs

Green on Facebook allows the company to highlight its own efforts to promote sustainability and energy efficiency.

As we reported in October, Facebook's energy-efficient efforts include innovative practices in the data centers powering its website that have tremendously reduced energy usage. Facebook also has a green commuting program for employees and a recycling program that has eliminated 294 tons of CO2 emissions.