Sea Change

The Bering Sea: A breathtaking panorama of icecaps, polar bears, and now…HP laptops. Not to mention HP cameras and printers.

How is that possible?

Through an innovative and far-reaching partnership between HP and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

“HP and WWF established a major joint initiative late last year,” says Pat Tiernan, vice president, Corporate, Social and Environmental Responsibility, “aimed at reducing HP’s own greenhouse gas emissions, advancing energy-efficient products, and leveraging HP technology in global conservation efforts.”

And that’s where the Bering Sea comes in. This delicate stretch of ocean – which extends from the coast of Alaska to the tip of Russia – is one of a number of environmentally sensitive areas around the world where WWF scientists are using HP technologies to measure – and hopefully limit – the effects of climate change.

The philanthropic component of this partnership – known as the “Advanced Climate Change Science and Solutions Initiative,” was announced by HP and WWF just last month. Valued at over $2 million in contributions of cash and equipment, the program is comprised of three separate projects that tackle both the causes and consequences of global climate change.

The first project, known as “The EpiCenter for Climate Conservation,” will research and advance strategies aimed at helping communities adapt to climate change. Coordinated from North America, these efforts will be directed by Dr. Lara Hansen, WWF’s chief climate scientist, and will be run using a wide range of HP technology.

The second project, called “Climate Witness,” will raise global awareness of the consequences of climate change by gathering stories of affected communities around the world. Based in Asia, the program will create online communities where people from all corners of the globe can share and discuss their experiences with climate change.

And finally, the third project – called “Information and Communication Technology Innovation as a Driver of Climate Change Solutions” – will identify one billions tons of carbon dioxide emissions reductions that could be achieved through the broad application of information technology—for example, using IT to make buildings “smarter” or more efficient, or to replace business travel with Halo technology. These efforts will be based in Europe.

All three initiatives, says HP’s Yvonne Hunt, reflect the strengths that HP can bring to bear on the global challenge of climate change.

“What we’ve done is essentially identify those areas where HP technologies and expertise can make a real difference related to the issues of climate change,” says Hunt, HP’s Vice President of Global Philanthropy. “For example, by using HP technologies, WWF scientists can gather data much more efficiently. And that means they can begin working on mitigation strategies all that much sooner.”

To that end, HP is allocating a range of HP equipment to WWF scientists around the world, much of which will be used to measure patterns in climate change and devise strategies to address such changes.

“WWF scientists have the know-how to make real advancements in this area,” says Deanna Ward, who manages environment programs for HP philanthropy. “But they don’t always have the latest technologies at hand. Remember, these scientists are working in some of the world’s most remote areas. So we’re supplying them with cutting-edge HP technologies in order to maximize their efficiency, as well as the impact of their work.”

And that effort is well underway, adds Ward, with HP having already shipped a large quantity of equipment – ranging from laptops to digital cameras to printers – to WWF scientists in regions as disparate as Costa Rica, India, Peru, and China. HP has also made cash contributions to WWF’s U.S. headquarters, which is using the funds to build capacity, monitor and report back on the progress made by scientists in the field worldwide. These combined efforts will culminate in a “Climate Camp” to be held at HP next year, where WWF scientists from around the world will report on their findings.

“We expect that Climate Camp will be an important event in the environmental community,” says Ward. “We’ll bring leaders from around the world to participate – including those from industry and government – to discuss our findings and to examine strategies for moving forward.”

But scientists aren’t the only ones who will benefit from these joint HP-WWF efforts, says Ward. Ordinary citizens will, too.

“For example,” she notes, “here in the United States, we’ve put laptops in the hands of 25 young people who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina. They’ll monitor climate change in their own region and examine how those changes will affect their own futures.”

Their findings, says Ward, will be discussed at an HP youth summit on climate change that will take place next summer.

“We want young people to know that they can make a difference on this issue, and to empower them to begin making that difference today.”

Meanwhile, climate Witness participants in other parts of the world will be able to use HP digital media – particularly photography -- to tell the story of climate change as it affects their own communities.

A story, says Pat Tiernan, which is intrinsically linked to HP’s corporate values.

“As one of the world’s leading corporations, we have a responsibility to be a good corporate citizen. And part of that responsibility means doing our fair share to address global environmental challenges, including climate change.”

And that type of commitment, says Tiernan, isn’t just philanthropic. It’s sound business.

“Our customers are increasingly environmentally-conscious, and they demand a high level of environmental performance from those with whom they do business. So that’s what we’ll provide them, whether they’re in Canada or Australia, Germany or Brazil.”

Or even in the Bering Sea.

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