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chneider Electric and Global Footprint Network
(GFN) launched a new mobile-friendly Footprint
Calculator for Earth Overshoot Day 2017, which
enables everyone to track their ecological footprint and
personal Earth Overshoot Day.
Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity’s
demand for ecological resources and services in a given
year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. We
maintain this deficit by liquidating stocks of ecological re-
sources and accumulating waste, primarily carbon dioxide
in the atmosphere.
This year it fell back to 2 August, the earliest date
ever, according to GFN, as humanity currently demands
1.7 times more than Earth’s ecosystems can regenerate.
When launched in 2006, Earth Overshoot Day fell in Oc-
tober.
Reducing the energy intensity of homes, buildings
and cities will help #movethedate of Overshoot Day back
down again; we only need to move the date 4.5 days per
year to operate within the means of our planet by 2050.
GFN is highlighting four solution areas to #movethe-
date: cities, energy, food and population. More than 2
million people used Global Footprint Network’s previous
calculator last year, including students and teachers. In
addition to a greater focus on solutions, the new calcula-
tor features the latest footprint data and methodology as
well as updated graphics to help you reduce your carbon
footprint.
‘We hope our new Footprint Calculator enables mil-
lions more people around the world to explore sustain-
ability solutions and gain an uplifting sense of the pos-
sibilities available to society,’ said Mathis Wackernagel,
founder and CEO of Global Footprint Network. ‘Many of
these solutions directly align with Schneider Electric’s val-
ues, practices and capabilities in the energy and city solu-
tions space. It is a logical partner as a company whose
business model focuses on creating a sustainable future.’
‘Through our partnership with GFN, Schneider Electric
aims to further promote one-planet compatibility in our
global economy and mobilise citizens, other companies,
and governments around the world to help #movethedate
of Earth Overshoot Day back to December 31. Building
an always more sustainable global supply chain and de-
signing increasingly resource-efficient offerings for our
customers is our obsession. Our EcoStruxure solutions re-
duce energy and CO
2
intensity of homes, buildings, cities,
grids, data centres, industries and these help #movethe-
date,’ said Taru Madangombe, Vice President of Energy in
Southern Africa for Schneider Electric.
G&G Digital launches breakthrough photography and
videography services
G
&G Digital has officially launched photography and
videographic services that break through the noise
and hit the creative and strategic mark for clients.
The dedicated content team aims to create images and
video that drives action with engaging rich media for use
across all digital channels.
Consumer attention is scarce and a first impression
can be the difference between being engaged with or
ignored. In an ocean of online videos and photos, there
simply isn’t room for mediocrity. Brands must use every
media form to break through the ordinary and expected.
Consumers buy with their eyes and are lead by how
brands make them feel. Captivating videos and profes-
sional photos cue quality and credibility. Research shows
consumers are 64 per cent more likely to purchase if
they’ve seen a product video.
Video is the most powerful engager in a brand’s arse-
nal. It ignites emotions, builds trust and doubles exposure
time. Videos can easily explain complex concepts and is
increasingly preferred over reading. Sharing product vid-
eos and how-to tutorials on social media will increase
reach and support the sales process.
The G&G studio consists of first-rate camera and
lighting equipment and post-production facilities. G&G
offers everything from brand narratives and animations to
corporate videos. The team manages the full production
spectrum from concept and scripting, to directing, cine-
matography and post-production.
Photography is a strong sales driver and there is
research to prove it. Sites with striking imagery receive
94 per cent more views than those without. High quality
photography not only stops consumers in their tracks, it
portrays a brand’s image, professionalism, credibility and
individuality.
G&G are passionate about creating images that not
only meet, but surpass its client’s brief. With state-of-
the-art photographic equipment, experienced in-house
photographers offer high quality lifestyle, product, portrait
and social photography that best represents the brand.
The team is also proficient in post-production editing and
re-touching.
Get your brand in front of G&G’s lens and start telling
brand stories that get a return on investment.
Cisco provides ‘project-based challenges’ with Digital
Skills Academy
C
isco recently completed a new Industry Project
in partnership with Digital Skills Academy. The
largest IT and networking company in the world,
Cisco, is the latest major multinational tech com-
pany to join Digital Skills Academy’s impressive list of
Industry Partners.
Digital Skills Academy’s unique International BSc De-
gree programmes, Professional Diplomas and Online Short
Courses provide working professionals with experience of
developing real digital solutions to real business challeng-
es. Digital Skills Academy’s Industry Partners programme,
already embraced in South Africa by organisations such
as MTN South Africa, Standard Bank and MultiChoice,
supports skills development across the country by assign-
ing training participants to the development of real-world
digital projects for those leading organisations. The pro-
jects range from developing websites and mobile apps to
launching digital marketing campaigns and using digital
solutions to make existing processes far more efficient.
Digital Skills Academy’s unique approach to experien-
tial learning enables graduates to apply their new skills
immediately.
Cisco provided real-world challenges for participants
to develop their digital skills. Participants were provided
with access to digital technologies and tools to address
the given challenge and were required to share the out-
come with Cisco.
‘Digital opens up a world of opportunity, but it also
introduces extensive complexity. To be successful in any
industry, we now need a world of problem solvers who
think digitally,’ said Kathryn Baddeley, Head of CSR and
Skills, Cisco UK & Ireland.
‘We were delighted to work with Digital Skills Acad-
emy to help their participants develop expertise through
real-world challenges,’ she added.
‘This was another exciting Industry Partnership for
Digital Skills Academy and more importantly, it provid-
ed programme participants with hands-on experience of
working with one of the biggest names in technology and
innovation,’ said Paul Dunne, Founder and CEO at Digital
Skills Academy. ‘They gained invaluable experience by
working in a cross-functional team, combining the func-
tions of coding, design, research, social media integration
and big data – and learned how to apply and perform their
learning in real-world situations.’
Brendon Cilliers, Managing Director at Cubed Soft-
ware in South Africa, completed the BSc Honours Degree
in Digital Technology, Design and Innovation and partici-
pated in the Industry Project with Cisco. Commenting on
the project Brendon shared that ‘the experience gained in-
teracting with the Cisco team and Digital Skills Academy’s
faculty was invaluable. Real industry experience coupled
with the learning material and support of Digital Skills
Academy simply cannot be beaten. Cisco was a fantastic
Industry Partner. I am grateful that I was part of such a
high profile project for a blue chip company.’
#movethedate of Earth Overshoot Day
