FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS:
For CoSN
Jennifer Cummings
202/822-9491
jcummings@fratell.com
For EPEAT
Sarah O’Brien
802/479-0317
sarah.obrien@greenelectronicscouncil.org
CoSN and EPEAT Urge School Leaders to Gain Green
Computing Certification
Washington, DC (December 10, 2009) – The Consortium for School
Networking (CoSN) and EPEAT® today urged school technology leaders to
participate in CoSN’s Green Computing Certification Program. Launched by
CoSN and EPEAT on Earth Day 2009, the program for schools and school
districts recognizes school leaders who are taking the lead in establishing
comprehensive greener computing policies and following them up with
targeted actions that reduce energy consumption, greenhouses gases, waste
and toxics.
“Mitigating the impacts of global climate change is the focus of the talks
taking place among world leaders gathered in Copenhagen. Here at home,
our nation’s school technology leaders are already engaged in solid best
practices for reducing environmental impact,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of
CoSN. “We’re urging school district technology leaders to take advantage of
the CoSN green certification program to gain recognition for their
environmental efforts, and to share with their peers the initiatives that are
reducing schools’ carbon footprint and overall environmental impact.”
“The EPEAT environmental rating system for electronic products enables
purchasers to easily identify and select products that reduce energy
consumption and related carbon emissions, as well as eliminating waste and
toxics,” said Jeff Omelchuck, Executive Director of EPEAT. “EPEAT is proud to
partner with CoSN to recognize school initiatives that address all phases of IT
environmental impact. Many schools and school districts have adopted EPEAT
purchasing as part of their efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of
their computing operations, and we are very happy to recognize their
visionary efforts.”
CoSN launched its Green Computing Initiative in October 2008, to help
schools identify ways to do their part to reduce waste, save energy, and
promote sustainability. The initiative focuses on three major topic areas:
technology energy use; green computing purchase and disposal; and
reducing waste and saving natural resources. The Green Computing
Certificate recognizes efforts that address responsible purchasing with EPEAT
certification, accomplish energy use and greenhouse gas reductions through
more energy efficient computing, engage in appropriate computer disposal
and use computer applications to reduce resource consumption and waste.
School technology leaders can learn more about the program and download
appropriate forms to apply for green computing certification on CoSN’s Green
Computing Initiative Web site – www.cosn.org/greencomputing. Following a
simple certification process, CoSN and EPEAT provide certified schools with
official certificates and program logos for their use in communications and
other materials, as well as assistance with gaining recognition from local
media and their peers, and opportunities to be profiled on the two
organizations’ Web sites.
The CoSN Green Computing Initiative is sponsored by Alcatel-Lucent,
Faronics, Gartner, HP, IBM, InfoTechResearch, Lenovo, nGenera, Nortel,
Polyvision, SAS and Samsung.
For more information about the CoSN Green Computing Certification
Program, please click here. To learn more about CoSN’s Green Computing
Leadership Initiative, click here. Information on EPEAT and the EPEAT
Purchasing Partner program can be found here.
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About the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)
CoSN is the premier professional association for district technology leaders.
The mission of CoSN is to empower K-12 district technology leaders to use
technology strategically for the improvement of teaching and learning. CoSN
provides leadership, community and advocacy essential for the success of
these leaders.
CoSN leadership initiatives include:
Cyber Security for the Digital District (www.securedistrict.org)
Data-Driven Decision-Making (www.3d2know.org)
Empowering the 21st Century Superintendent
(www.superintendentempower.org)
Green Computing (www.cosn.org/greencomputing)
IT Crisis Preparedness (www.cosn.org/ITCrisisPrep)
K-12 Open Technologies (www.k12opentech.org)
Small District Technology Leadership
(http://72.3.238.178/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page)
Taking Total Cost of Ownership to the Classroom (www.classroomtco.org)
Value of Investment (www.edtechvoi.org)
Web2.0 Policy and Leadership (http://www.cosn.org/web20/).
CoSN’s membership is a unique blend of education and technology leaders,
and decision makers from the public and private sectors. Visit www.cosn.org
or phone 866/267-8747 to find out more about CoSN’s programs, events and
resources supporting and promoting leadership development, advocacy and
connections to ensure that technology is used strategically for the
improvement of teaching and learning in elementary and secondary schools
About EPEAT
EPEAT evaluates computer desktops, laptops, and monitors based on 51
environmental criteria developed through a stakeholder consensus process
supported by US EPA. EPEAT is based on the ANSI-approved IEEE 1680
standard and is managed by the Green Electronics Council, a nonprofit
organization headquartered in Portland, OR. Compared to conventional
computer equipment, all EPEAT-registered computers have reduced levels of
cadmium, lead, and mercury to better protect human health and the
environment. They are more energy efficient, which reduces emissions of
climate changing greenhouse gases. They are also easier to upgrade and
recycle. In fact, manufacturers must offer environmentally responsible
recycling options for all EPEAT-registered products. For more on EPEAT
criteria and qualified products, see www.epeat.net.