Page 32 - EngineerIt June 2021

INDUSTRY NEWS: PRODUCTS, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

Epson partners with National
Geographic in the fight against

climate change

pson has joined forces with National technologies consume significant volumes of it, and are at play in business environments every second.
EGeographic to promote the protection of Epson’s pioneering range of printers with heat-free technology buck this trend, requiring less energy,
the world’s permafrost – the frozen ground fewer replacement parts, and a lower environmental impact.
beneath the polar regions of the earth – in Epson global president Yasunori Ogawa commented: “Sustainability is at the heart of everything we
its newly launched ‘Turn down the heat’ do at Epson, and we are committed to not only lowering our own environmental footprint but helping
campaign. our customers to do so too. We hope to make a difference in overcoming global environmental issues
The campaign comes as scientists predict with our customers and business partners through our technologies.”
the world’s permafrost will thaw entirely by
2100, drastically changing ecologies, raising The campaign unveiled five key steps businesses can take in the fight to protect our permafrost,
global sea levels, and releasing over 950 billion including:
tonnes of methane into the atmosphere. 1. Turn down the heat: From appliances to printers, the devices found in the office can emit a serious
Together, Epson and National Geographic aim amount of heat. When they’re due for replacement, businesses should consider the heat-free
to raise awareness of how businesses can alternatives that are available – each device plays its part in reducing global warming, and helping
reduce their impact of global warming. businesses reach their ESGs.
‘Turn down the heat’ is fronted by National 2. Tap into the circular economy: Whether it’s office furniture, packaging or electronic devices,
Geographic explorer, Dr Katey Walter Anthony, manufacturing items can generate a lot of heat – as does disposing of them in landfill. Whenever
who oversees arctic observatories in Alaska possible, businesses should consider how new purchases and old waste can come from – and be
and Russia to monitor the long-lasting impact put back into – the circular economy.
of climate change. Her pioneering research 3. Rethink water and renewables: When it comes to powering the workspace, businesses should
into the protection of permafrost is featured think about how much energy can come from clean, renewable sources such as solar and wind, as
in a series of videos, infographics and online fossil fuels play a significant role in warming the earth’s atmosphere. The same goes for heating
content in collaboration with Epson and and treating water, so businesses should try to conserve water use where possible, including
National Geographic and can be found at implementing water sensor technologies.
heatfree.epson.com. 4. Align sustainable values across the supply chain: Sustainability has now become an important issue
Dr Anthony commented: “The Arctic is for all organisations, and those that take it seriously are transparent about what they’re doing to
literally melting before our eyes. We estimate save the planet. If sustainability is important to a business, they should also do due diligence on
that up to 10% of the projected global the businesses they buy from and partner with – they have the ultimate power to drive sustainable
warming this century could come from thawing values even further across the entire supply chain.
permafrost, and that affects the entire Earth. 5. Look to the future: As we race against time to save our planet, businesses must do more than
Our choices really do matter in work and in life. going paperless and introducing recycling bins – they need a clear plan to go carbon neutral,
And when businesses and people make smart spanning everything from renewable energy use to water conservation. Setting robust ESGs and
decisions about what technology we use, that providing a clear roadmap of how they’ll be met, is essential in the fight against climate change.
will also make a positive difference for our And businesses must be transparent about them as customers have never been more in tune with
environment.” ‘green-washing’ – or put off by it!
Saving energy is essential in the fight
against global warming, but numerous Head to Epson’s Turn Down the Heat hub here.

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