Reactions to story from ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

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  Why Paul McCartney dislikes his free Lexus LS600h

  http://www.greencars.za.net/why-paul-mccartney-dislikes-his-...
  130 days ago in greencars.za.net · Authority: 11

  Beatle Sir Paul McCartney is seen as quite a green fellow. In fact, he has done so much for the promotion of green motoring that Lexus decided to give him a brand spanking new LS600h – for free. This luxury sedan is not yet available in South Arica, but will set you back around £84,000 in the UK. To Paul’s dismay and utter disgust, the vehicle was air lifted from Japan to England in May 1 loaded on a Korean Air flight. The effectively created a carbon footprint almost 100 times larger than would have been the case had ot been transported by sea – like most normal people would see their cars do. “Paul was offered a Lexus as a gift and ordered the hybrid limo because it helps to reduce emissions. He’ll be horrified after learning it was delivered by plane. Paul has always campaigned for green issues and he can’t understand why anyone would send an enormous car from Japan to Britain on a plane,” a source said according to the Daily Telegraph. Carbon offsetting firm CO2balance.com calculated that the air travel created a carbon footprint of 38,050kg, compared to nearly 400kg for a similar three-week boat journey. They said that the additional pollution is similar to driving the vehicle around the world six times! The LS600h is driven by a 320 kW 5 litre V8 petrol engine as well as a high-output electric motor powered by a 288V nickel-metal hybride battery. Drive is transferred to the wheels via a newly developed dual-stage electronically-controlled, continuously-variable transmission (E-CVT). Thanks to the hybrid electric drive, the LS600h is said to offer V12 power from a V8 engine – the BMW 6 litre V12 7-series offers around 327 kW in comparison. BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz offer 12 cylinder top-of-the-line models, with Lexus opting for a greener alternative… Relevance for South Africa: Thankfully, our Lexus’ arrive by ship. And there are rumours that Lexus SA is working on bringing a host of hybrid models to local shores. Watch out for the RX SUV as well as the medium sized GS models. For more information and pictures see AutoBlogGreen – another excellent blog on all things to do with green transportation. By Christie Viljoen Sources:, Daily Telegraph, Ecorazzi, LeftLaneNews, Lexus, Wikipedia
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  It Isn't Easy Being Green

  http://www.experiencetheblog.com/2008/05/it-isnt-easy-being-...
  142 days ago in Experience: The Blog · Authority: 48

  In "Deflating the Myth," Adweek questions the common belief consumers care deeply about the environment and will alter their purchase decisions to select greener brands. According to research, 94 percent say they are willing to "personally to change some of the things (they) do in order to improve the environment," but just 26 percent say they "actively seek environmentally friendly products." At times, the tone of this article is just a bit derisive of consumers. For example, Adweek says, "The irony... is that consumers are more demanding of the corporate sector than of themselves." This doesn't actually strike me as at all ironic; any individual consumer can have an imperceptible impact on the environment, but if manufacturers that produce tens of thousands of vehicles or millions of batteries improve their products or manufacturing processes, the benefits to the planet can be quite substantial. Adweek suggests one way for brands to get consumers to pay attention to "green" messaging is to segment their audience (which is always good advice). For example, moms are more likely than non-moms to go green if they have information about how it will benefit their family. And contrary to popular perception, teens and young adults may be focusing more on their own problems than on Mother Earth's--in a recent Harvard Institute of Politics poll of 18-24-year-olds, respondents were 50% more likely to say the cost of tuition is "very relevant" to them than to say the same about the environment. The most obvious segment upon which brands could focus are those who are already environmentally conscious, but this group is the most dubious of green claims and are already quite hostile to big business (a contention advanced in very entertaining and informative fashion by Penn and Teller in an episode of their Showtime program, Bullshit!) The Adweek article sums it up with a quote from Mike Lawrence, executive vp of corporate responsibility at Cone: "When a company comes along that is transparent, responsive, tells the truth, listens to suggestions and responds in some way, makes social and environmental commitments -- as well as financial ones-- and tries to live up to them, I would argue that company stands out as much as ever, and people notice and respond." In other words, you have to walk the walk. A recurring theme on this blog is that social media is changing the way companies handle public relations and manage their image. The subject of "green marketing" provides an excellent way to understand how Word of Mouth (WOM) and a lack of transparency can harm brands. Take, for example, the case of Sir Paul McCartney and Lexus. One of the most respected names in music and one of the most respected auto brands teamed up on a tour sponsorship and a charitable effort for Adopt-A-Minefield. When Lexus wanted to make a gift of a hybrid car to McCartney, one of the most socially conscious musicians on the planet, it must have seemed like the perfect synergy of PR, marketing, and corporate responsibility. But somehow, this perfect idea got botched because Lexus or McCartney (or both) didn't walk the walk. if they were truly environmentally conscious, the car wouldn't have been delivered by plane to Sir Paul. The use of a cargo plane to deliver this car was "like driving the car 300 times around the world." The subsequent bad PR is causing both parties to play defense, with reports that McCartney is furious that Lexus delivered the car in this manner. No spin control is going to put the genie back in this bottle. Green blogs are buzzing with criticism of Lexus, a brand that has until now enjoyed good WOM among the green set. Google has hundreds of links to news stories about this incident and the blogosphere is embracing the scandal, as evidenced by over 13,000 hits on Google. Another example of green marketing that backfired was when Kermit the Frog sang "It isn't easy being green" for the hybrid Ford Escape. Environmentalists were quick to point out that Ford only planned on producing 20,000 of its hybrid SUVs per year, while continuing to produce almost 80,000 of its gas-guzzling F-series trucks per month. As noted on BizJournals.com, that campaign backfired and the term "Greenwashing" became synonymous with the firm's name. The term "greenwash," which means the act of misleading consumers regarding a brand's environmental practices, has entered consumers' vocabulary, and each embarrassing instance of a brand bragging about a tiny environmental baby step while ignoring bigger and more important environmental issues only reinforces consumer perception that brands are trying to "green up" primarily to polish their brand images. These PR misteps are examples of why so many consumers are dubious of marketers' claims about environmental benefits. Perhaps if more firms were transparent and implemented environmentally-friendly changes because they were the right thing to do and not (seemingly) to support a new marketing campaign, we'd find consumers more receptive to green messaging. Enjoy Kermit the Frog in his Ford Escape Commercial, an ad rated at 4.41 on a 1 to 5 scale for "greenwashing" by the visitors to GreenwashingIndex.com. (Personally, I think it's harsh to give this high a "greenwash" score to an ad for a 36-mpg SUV. Sure, you can find far more fuel-efficient vehicles, but can't we give credit to an American automaker for trying to meet consumer's demands for larger vehicles while also increasing fuel efficiency?)
• 

  It Isn't Easy Being Green

  http://www.experiencetheblog.com/2008/05/it-isnt-easy-being-...
  142 days ago in Experience: The Blog · Authority: 48

  In "Deflating the Myth," Adweek questions the common belief consumers care deeply about the environment and will alter their purchase decisions to select greener brands. According to research, 94 percent say they are willing to "personally to change some of the things (they) do in order to improve the environment," but just 26 percent say they "actively seek environmentally friendly products." At times, the tone of this article is just a bit derisive of consumers. For example, Adweek says, "The irony... is that consumers are more demanding of the corporate sector than of themselves." This doesn't actually strike me as at all ironic; any individual consumer can have an imperceptible impact on the environment, but if manufacturers that produce tens of thousands of vehicles or millions of batteries improve their products or manufacturing processes, the benefits to the planet can be quite substantial. Adweek suggests one way for brands to get consumers to pay attention to "green" messaging is to segment their audience (which is always good advice). For example, moms are more likely than non-moms to go green if they have information about how it will benefit their family. And contrary to popular perception, teens and young adults may be focusing more on their own problems than on Mother Earth's--in a recent Harvard Institute of Politics poll of 18-24-year-olds, respondents were 50% more likely to say the cost of tuition is "very relevant" to them than to say the same about the environment. The most obvious segment upon which brands could focus are those who are already environmentally conscious, but this group is the most dubious of green claims and are already quite hostile to big business (a contention advanced in very entertaining and informative fashion by Penn and Teller in an episode of their Showtime program, Bullshit!) The Adweek article sums it up with a quote from Mike Lawrence, executive vp of corporate responsibility at Cone: "When a company comes along that is transparent, responsive, tells the truth, listens to suggestions and responds in some way, makes social and environmental commitments -- as well as financial ones-- and tries to live up to them, I would argue that company stands out as much as ever, and people notice and respond." In other words, you have to walk the walk. A recurring theme on this blog is that social media is changing the way companies handle public relations and manage their image. The subject of "green marketing" provides an excellent way to understand how Word of Mouth (WOM) and a lack of transparency can harm brands. Take, for example, the case of Sir Paul McCartney and Lexus. One of the most respected names in music and one of the most respected auto brands teamed up on a tour sponsorship and a charitable effort for Adopt-A-Minefield. When Lexus wanted to make a gift of a hybrid car to McCartney, one of the most socially conscious musicians on the planet, it must have seemed like the perfect synergy of PR, marketing, and corporate responsibility. But somehow, this perfect idea got botched because Lexus or McCartney (or both) didn't walk the walk. if they were truly environmentally conscious, the car wouldn't have been delivered by plane to Sir Paul. The use of a cargo plane to deliver this car was "like driving the car 300 times around the world." The subsequent bad PR is causing both parties to play defense, with reports that McCartney is furious that Lexus delivered the car in this manner. No spin control is going to put the genie back in this bottle. Green blogs are buzzing with criticism of Lexus, a brand that has until now enjoyed good WOM among the green set. Google has hundreds of links to news stories about this incident and the blogosphere is embracing the scandal, as evidenced by over 13,000 hits on Google. Another example of green marketing that backfired was when Kermit the Frog sang "It isn't easy being green" for the hybrid Ford Escape. Environmentalists were quick to point out that Ford only planned on producing 20,000 of its hybrid SUVs per year, while continuing to produce almost 80,000 of its gas-guzzling F-series trucks per month. As noted on BizJournals.com, that campaign backfired and the term "Greenwashing" became synonymous with the firm's name. The term "greenwash," which means the act of misleading consumers regarding a brand's environmental practices, has entered consumers' vocabulary, and each embarrassing instance of a brand bragging about a tiny environmental baby step while ignoring bigger and more important environmental issues only reinforces consumer perception that brands are trying to "green up" primarily to polish their brand images. These PR misteps are examples of why so many consumers are dubious of marketers' claims about environmental benefits. Perhaps if more firms were transparent and implemented environmentally-friendly changes because they were the right thing to do and not (seemingly) to support a new marketing campaign, we'd find consumers more receptive to green messaging. Enjoy Kermit the Frog in his Ford Escape Commercial, an ad rated at 4.41 on a 1 to 5 scale for "greenwashing" by the visitors to GreenwashingIndex.com. (Personally, I think it's harsh to give this high a "greenwash" score to an ad for a 36-mpg SUV. Sure, you can find far more fuel-efficient vehicles, but can't we give credit to an American automaker for trying to meet consumer's demands for larger vehicles while also increasing fuel efficiency?)
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  3 Giveaways, Pissed Paul McCartney, Singing British Kids, and Other Links

  http://gogreentravelgreen.com/green-links/3-giveaways-pissed...
  142 days ago in Go Green Travel Green · Authority: 95

  Gadling tells us how to get one of a million free seats on flights in Southeast Asia this summer through the winter. Intelligent Travel launches their Indiana Jones DVD Giveaway Contest and hashes out paperless phrasebook options. Brave New Traveler grapples with facing one’s own nationality abroad. Ecorazzi tells us that environmentalist Beatle Paul McCartney was not happy that his new Lexus Hybrid was shipped via private jet. Grist is partnering with Seventh Generation to give away 5 green living starter kits (though we think the greenest cleaners are baking soda and vinegar) if you add their widget to your site. The Minneapolis Star Tribune highlights 10 pieces of green(ish) outdoor gear. Take Sierra Club’s How Green is My Getaway? quiz. Watch British kids sing about plastic bags and how they’re ruining the world (c/o Eco Worrier). Check out GreenYour.com to find out how you can be environmentally-friendlier, from personal care products to travel to clothes. Originally posted at Go Green Travel Green
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  McCartney Displeased with Lexus

  http://thewalrusspeaks.blogspot.com/2008/05/mccartney-disple...
  143 days ago in The Walrus Speaks: The Daily Howl · Authority: 14

  From Ecorazzi: Paul McCartney is definitely the real deal! So you can imagine why he was so pissed when learning that his new eco-car was delivered by jet. The car in question is a brand new Lexus Hybrid Limousine and was given to Paul by the manufacturer to thank him for promoting green automobiles. The gesture was nice, but Lexus chose to fly the car from Japan to Britain, creating a carbon footprint almost 100 times bigger than the standard method of shipping.

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