Who Needs Government Funding When You Have Google?

Google.org made some announcements today regarding five core initiatives. It looks like they’re out to save the world.  Let’s talk dollars before the big announcement.  Google is allocating $25 million in new grants, devoting 1% of Google’s equity, 1% of annual profits as well as employee time towards these new initiatives.  From Dr. Larry Brilliant, executive director of Google.org, “These five initiatives are our attempt to address some of the hard problems we as a world need to face in the coming decade. We have chosen them both because we think solving them will make a better, fairer, safer world for our children and grandchildren – and the children and grandchildren of people all over the world – but also because we feel that these core initiatives fit well with Google’s core strengths, especially its innovative technologies and its talented engineers and other Googlers, who are really our most valuable assets.” 

Good job, Google.org.  I like the fact that they have this power and are using it to benefit the world - sure  there will those who say that Google should stick to gobbling up technology companies and spying on your gmail, but I think they’re grrrreat.   I say stop waiting for the world to change when you can help change the world.

Drum roll, please….

Predict and Prevent

Google is working to “predict and prevent” disasters in communities from spreading beyond where they are now.  This includes everything from the spread of infectious diseases like SARS and avian flu to droughts to any other ecological disaster.

Inform and Empower to Improve Public Services

Google.org works with partners to improve the flow of vital information to improve basic services for the poor in India and East Africa. In many countries in the developing world, essential public services are failing, especially for the poorest members of society. Google.org supports efforts to provide information to empower citizens and communities, providers, and policy makers to improve the delivery of essential public services such as education, health, water and sanitation.

Fuel the Growth of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises 

Google.org supports efforts to lower transaction costs to invest in SMEs, create opportunities to access larger financial markets and make investments in this sector. They also want to help increase the flow of capital to “the missing middle” by tackling some of the root causes that prevent these firms from becoming profitable investment opportunities.

Develop Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal (RE<C)

This cross-Google collaboration has set a goal of producing one gigawatt of renewable energy capacity that is cheaper than coal, within years not decades. The initiative, known as RE<C, was launched in November 2007 and will focus initially on advanced solar thermal power, wind power technologies, enhanced geothermal systems and other potential breakthrough technologies.

We wrote about this when it was first announced…click here for the way-back machine on SCREAM

Accelerate the Commercialization of Plug-In Vehicles (RechargeIT)

RechargeIT is a Google.org initiative that aims to reduce CO2 emissions, cut oil use and stabilize the electrical grid by accelerating the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and vehicle-to-grid technology.

Source: Google.org

With My Own Two Hands - Ben Harper