[CONTEST ENDED] Happy Earth Day!

[AmyReyes]

UPDATE: this contest has ended. We really enjoyed reading everyone's innovative ways to save the planet, so thanks for all of your submissions! Our randomly selected winners are: @CameronS, @Hassan124, and @ChinmayGokarn. Congrats! 🎉

Every year on April 22nd, the world celebrates Earth Day! It is a day dedicated to promoting environmental consciousness born out of a growing concern for pollution in the 1960s. First celebrated in 1970 in the United States, Earth Day eventually went global in 1990. Today, it is celebrated by more than 1 billion people across more than 190 countries worldwide.

In the spirit of raising awareness around the importance of sustainability, we want to hear how YOU are making an impact this Earth Day – and every day! How is your organization using Meraki or other technology to reduce your carbon footprint?

This could be by powering off all non-essential switch ports during non-work time; upgrading equipment to newer, more energy efficient versions; or using monitoring solutions to turn off lights and equipment when not in use. These are just a few of the ideas you shared with us last Earth Day. If you need additional inspiration, you can check out the Unboxed episode about sustainability!

The key is to describe, via any desired mediums (text, video, images, interpretive dance, etc.), how your org uses technology to help reduce your carbon footprint. All comments will be entered to win one of three All comments will be entered to win one of three H2Go Bali borosilicate glass bottles with threaded bamboo lids:

How to Win

In a comment on this post, submit your earth-conscious company initiatives that are based in technology. Submit your entry on this blog post before 11 a.m. EDT on Friday, April 28th (04/28/2023). We’ll then draw three at random to win a Meraki water bottle! Your entries will be public and visible throughout the contest.

Terms & conditions

• Limit one entry per community member.
• Submission period: Friday, April 21st, 2023 at 11am EDT through Friday, April 28th, 2023 at 10:59am EDT
• Prize will be a selection of Meraki swag with value not exceeding USD 50.00
• Official terms, conditions, and eligibility information

[bryanssm]

Well, not sure if this qualifies, but we set up a Meraki camera in the office to monitor the parking spots for electric cars as they are very limited.

Not everybody has access to the Meraki dashboard, so I set up a python script that captures a screenshot via APIs, so other users can check if there are available slots. We also set up some alerts.

🙂

[ChewBird]

I realize my contribution may not comply with the intent of standard technology, however making an effort to help the world become less polluted is important...  My 1994 Chevrolet Camaro came from the factory with estimated miles per gallon averaging 18mpg city and 24mpg highway.  It now averages 32 mpg.  They key is tuning the computer that controls fuel/air/spark through sensors on the vehicle (so I guess that is using technology)...  Additionally, the performance of the vehicle has gone from 14.x seconds in the quarter mile at 98mph to 11.7 seconds in the quarter mile at 115mph.  The combination of opening up the exhaust (retaining catalytic convers and smog controls), changing the gear ration for the rear end, replacing the stock 350 V8 with a stroked 383, lighter wheels and tires, changing the fully automatic transmission to a manual valve body automatic (needs to be shifted (but without a clutch)) has resulted in cleaner and greener performance but the real difference is in using the existing sensors to fine tune the computer that controls all motor functions. 

[ROCTEL]

ROCTEL has made a conscious decision to address sustainability by implementing various initiatives that reduce its environmental impact. One of the key measures is reducing packaging, reusing packaging, and investing in a recycling centre at their offices. The company has also taken steps to switch their vehicles from diesel to hybrid and electric, and their lighting to LED, significantly reducing their carbon footprint. Additionally, ROCTEL has taken a leadership role in its circular economy best practices working with further education and upskilling utilising our legacy equipment, ensuring that their operations are sustainable and minimizing waste. The company has set a target to plant 10,000 trees in Ireland by 2025.

Using Meraki we have started a deployment where we are using the MV32's and MV12s to help secure the business and monitor consumption and waste using CV with an aim to reduce it across the retail locations nationwide. 

[van604]

i have turned on Port scheduling on the Meraki switches and turning off devices that are not used outside of business hours.  Come on who needs to have these on when no one is there.  If there is a big project where people are working late, a quick notice to us and we can adjust.  The biggest take away is spinning this as a "green" measure to reduce energy use and most people will buy in.

[mlefebvre]

We recently signed a 15 year deal with a solar utility provider for ~30 MW of renewable energy. The agreement includes 100% of associated greenhouse gas offsets and environmental attributes generated from our share of the facility's output, and will displace approximately 335, 400 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents or the equivalent of taking 102, 900 cars off the road. We're also using occupancy sensors and timed lighting controls in our headquarters and several other facilities to reduce energy usage when not required and have installed high-efficiency mechanical equipment in our facilities and data centers to further reduce energy usage.

[ChinmayGokarn]

Our company has made a conscious decision to address sustainability by implementing various initiatives that reduce its environmental impact. One of the initiatives we took as a part of the IT team was we powered off the APs in our offices at weekends when there is practically no business impact and hence save power.

[Gislavedshus]

Monitor and automate energy savings with environmental sensors

Organizations require a way to monitor and automate
the data center environment so that all processes
are optimized for energy efficiency and maximum
equipment reliability. Meraki temperature, humidity,
water leakage, and door sensors provide rich
contextual environmental data to help technicians
proactively identify problems or automate cooling
based on IT loads.

[mrjelly]

Setting printer hours to turn off out off hours, upgrading hardware when possible and not getting new hardware e.g. installing RAM, getting laptops fixed using spare parts.

We also get broken equipment picked up for recycling.

[ekramer]

We've removed carts of computers that were continually charging and now just hand out individual devices when needed (manually, via the library) so only a few devices need to be kept charged at a time.

[Alv_FibraTel]

Being more aware of climate change and paying attention to the fact that our environment is increasingly deteriorated, it rains less and hotter, and thus countless signs that our planet is dying and these are the ways in which manifests itself, let's be aware and take care of it.

[Bandwiches]

We engage in a lot of M&A business which results in a massive amount of wasted devices and accessories which led to routine e-waste & recycling pick-ups.

[SSAY-AXS]

A Love Letter to Planet Earth

I find this letter on Cisco blog site url ( https://blogs.cisco.com/csr/a-love-letter-to-planet-earth)

And this the steps you can do to save the Earth.

Steps you can take to show planet Earth that you care

Want to give planet Earth some love today and every day? Here are ten actions from ActNow, a UN campaign for individual action on climate change, that you can take:

1. Save energy at home by using LED light bulbs, washing laundry with cold water, and switching to energy-efficient appliances.
2. Walking, biking, or taking public transit will reduce GHG emissions, and carpooling is also an option when you need to use a vehicle.
3. Eating more vegetables can significantly lower your environmental impact since plant-based foods can be produced with less energy, land, and water.
4. Consider how you travel, especially since airplanes burn large amounts of fossil fuels. When you can, meet virtually or avoid long-distance trips.
5. Throw away less food because food that ends up in a landfill produces methane, a potent GHG. It is best to only buy what you need and compost leftovers.
6. Reduce, reuse, repair and recycle when you can because electronics, clothing, and other things we buy cause carbon emissions at each point in their production.
7. Change your home's energy source by installing solar panels on your roof or asking your utility company for other renewable options.
8. Switch to an electric vehicle ("EV") to help reduce air pollution since EVs cause significantly less GHG emissions.
9. Make your money count by purchasing from companies that use resources responsibly and are committed to reducing emissions and waste.
10. Speaking up and getting neighbors, colleagues, friends, and family to take action is one of the simplest and most effective ways to make a difference.

[MGarretson]

We've been tasked to use technology (including WebEx) to do as much remote work as possible to cut down travel between our campuses and centers.

[Hassan124]

We are following zero-waste lunch using reusable packaging and utensils and reusable bottles instead of single-use plastics for drinking water. It is a great way to show that small changes can add up to make a big difference. All employees are encouraged print on both sides of paper and use digital alternatives for documents that can be shared electronically which helps to reduce waste.

[CameronS]

My business has recently implemented an all digital solution for communicating delivery notes and invoices rather than using a paper-based system. We have also installed a number of electric charging points to promote the use of electric vehicles! We've only got one earth and every small contribution helps 😄

[JonP]

We are installing a Solar PV system on our considerable roof space to cut down on the amount of energy we use from the grid. We're also investing in new delivery vans, and whilst these aren't electric (yet!) they are Euro 6 engines so more efficient and produce less CO2.

[MikeRam]

We have set up the recycle program here that ant old equipment is broken down to the last screw even and recycled to approved locations for disposal. Nothing gets in trash bin that has electronics in it of any kind.Doing our best to make sure nothing goes to land fill that could damage the environment.

[AmyReyes]

UPDATE: this contest has ended. We really enjoyed reading everyone's innovative ways to save the planet, so thanks for all of your submissions! Our randomly selected winners are: @CameronS, @Hassan124, and @ChinmayGokarn. Congrats!