computer - Jacob Parker-Bowles

What Is a Green Bank?

You may have heard the term “Green Bank” and wondered what it meant. This short article will explain the term and concept behind it.

Green Banks in a Nutshell
A green bank is a bank that exists for the sole purpose of battling earth climate change by funding projects that may be able to decrease the global carbon emissions and increase the use of alternative and renewable fuels and energy. They tend to support infrastructure spending in wind, solar, and other renewable energy space.

Green Banks: Functional Model
Green banks are not climate charities. Their funding is expected to be paid back with a profit for the bank. Currently, they are supported by some states in the U.S. and also by private funding. Green Banks utilize philanthropic and public funds. They generally fund energy projects that beyond the research stage and “good to go”. The Coalition for Green Capital (CGC) is a nonprofit agency that is deeply involved in advocating for green banks’ continued development.

Where Did the Idea for Green Banks Originate?
The idea for green banks started in 2008 when two entrepreneurial-minded, Ken Berlin and Reed Hundt, came up with the concept as part of the Obama transition team’s plans for promoting cleaner energy changes in US society. A proposal to enact federally supported green banks was attached to the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The concept never made it as legislation at the federal level. Green bank supporters were not daunted. Consequently, green bank advocates persuaded some states to take up the cause.

Green Banks: Some Statics
Currently, there are at least ten states that have at least one green bank. In addition, they are in the early stages of catching on globally as well. They also exist in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia. Within the U.S., green banks have already been involved in the funneling of some $3 billion in funds for clean-energy projects.

Green Banks: Their Future Development
With the advent of the Biden presidency, green banks may again find a firmer footing at the federal level. Indeed, in December 2020, Mr. Biden proposed the idea of a national green bank. They appear sure to gain more traction internationally as the desire to dampen climate change takes hold.

Apple users sometimes brag about their immunity from viruses. After all, for years, rumors have persisted that Mac computers have better security than Windows PCs. For the most part, those claims are false.

During the first quarter of 2018, a rash of headlines describing Mac OS malware has attracted attention, making some people question Apple’s security. Man-in-the-middle attacks, remote access infections, malware droppers, infected applications, and cryptojacking only begin to tell the story.

So, in response, consumers should now realize that Apple’s operating system has just as many vulnerabilities as Windows. However, everyone should exercise care before drawing incorrect conclusions. After all, both Windows and Mac OS have achieved a high level of security.

Although viruses have become less of a problem for both computing platforms, malware issues continue to persist. Perhaps the parity between PCs and Macs was perfectly illustrated when both platforms required patches to deal with the Meltdown and Spectre flaws.

Despite knowing about the vulnerabilities of their OS, Apple continues to lag behind Microsoft when it comes to dealing with bugs and exploits. Still, Mac users can take some definite steps to mitigate their risks:

Use the official Apple App Store. Users that download from alternate sources risk acquiring apps that have been infected with viruses and malware.

Avoid questionable software. In other words, when Mac users see an app that meets their needs, they should first check to see if a reputable company offers a similar product.

Install updates. Apple periodically releases new MacOS versions that fix bugs and patch vulnerabilities. Simply by installing these updates, users can improve their security.

Avoid public Wi-Fi. Hackers can use the Wi-Fi at libraries and coffee shops to capture data and infect computers. People who must use public Wi-Fi should first connect to a paid VPN service.

Backup your computer. Users should always have multiple computer backups on different types of media. Also, everyone should store at least one copy at an alternate physical location.

Use a security app. Mac users should subscribe to a security application to identify and mitigate threats such as viruses and malware before they become a problem.

In summary, Mac users should realize that they face risks similar to those that Windows users face. In response, they should take the above simple steps to protect themselves and their data.

Financial Technology

Tag: computer

FinTech 101: What is a Green Bank?

Are Macs More Secure Than PCs?