A new Facebook application called Greenbook allows users to reduce CO2 output by simply installing the application. In fact, since its launch Greenbook users have reduced CO2 emissions by 483,771.57 lbs. -that is the equivalent of CO2 output produced from 1, 291, 154 kilometers of driving.

The way it works is simple. Greenbook uses funds generated through sponsorship and advertising to purchase renewable energy certificates from its provider 3degrees who sources these certificates from various providers of renewable energy. Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) are a way for producers of renewable energy to seperate commodity electricity & environmental benefit into 2 seperate components in order to more easily facilitate the production and distribution of renewable energy. When a REC of a given unit of energy is purchased, that unit of renewable energy is inputted into the power grid and therefore displaces the same amount of fossil fuel energy as the American federal law mandates that those who manage the power grid purchase renewable energy whenever it is available. Every month Greenbook purchases a certain amount of RECs/CO₂ reduction through sponsorship and advertising and distributes it among current users*.

As Greenbook relies on sponsorhsip and advertising to generate revenue the more users that join – the more money raised and the more CO2 emmissions reduced. It doesnt stop there. Greenbook is using a wide array of offerings and fully leveraging community involvement to help save the environment. The application provides a forum where users share environment saving tips with each other combined with a rating system that pushes the most popular tips to the top of the list. Tips range from keeping your tired inflated properly for improved gas mileage to buying your food from local producers which reduces transportation pollution. Although some tips are not as useful as others,

the large supply of helpful suggestions provides an effective platform to collaborate and inspire others to live their lives in a ‘greener’ way. Greenbook even provides a shopping service with an array of pre approved ‘green’ products (powered by Amazon). In the near future, Greenbook plans to launch a suit of games that users can play to win credits to purchase more RECs and further reduce CO2 emissions.

Greenbook is effective not only because of its direct positive impact on the environment but also because of the large amount of environmental awareness it creates. One issue to wonder about is whether geographical boundaries will play a role in the popularity of this service. Since the unit of renewable energy that is inputted into the power grid is sourced from various regions that most likely will not be close to a user’s location, might users turn away from this method of CO2 reduction? Surely, global warming is a global cause for concern but won’t people prefer to minimize ommissions closer to home?

*for those who really want to make a difference 3degrees offers a footprint calculator on its website that allows users to instantly purchase renewable energy certificates equal to their carbon footprint.