COO Update
By Tim Switzer, COO and CFO
This is a historic moment in the history of the Internet and the .green Top-Level Domain. What started back in 2007 as an idea, a concept, a dream – bringing GREEN online – continues to move forward. Yesterday, ICANN announced all the New gTLDs that were applied for and while there is more than one applicant for .green, DotGreen Community Inc. is committed to doing all that we can to see this project keeps its vision. And now more than ever, we appreciate and need all the support from you, our .green supporter and friends!
First, let me comment on the ICANN New gTLD program in general – over 1,900 applications were revealed today and this is incredible. This clearly demonstrates that a lot of smart people have spent a large amount of time and money to invest in expanding the internet. There are many intriguing and interesting ideas in addition to .green amongst all the strings that were revealed and this is just the start of the continual growth of the Internet, mobile and social media. I look forward to the coming months and years as this process continues to un-fold.
My reaction to multiple .green applicants? To be honest, given how open, inclusive and focused on advancing the green initiative DotGreen has been over many years in its pursuit of .green, I am disappointed that other entities have surfaced at the last minute who are including .green among a large portfolio of other TLDs. Simply put, our goal is to advance the .green project to bring together the growing and global areas of the Internet and GREEN as soon as possible – the world wants and needs this NOW – and other applicants will likely slow down the process.
How can you help? We encourage all interested parties, especially all the non-profits and NGOs along with those worldwide governments and corporations attending Rio+20 with DotGreen, to read our responses to key ICANN application questions on our website. Call out your support for the approach DotGreen is taking via all social media and ICANN communication channels – and participate as you feel appropriate in the ICANN New gTLD objection process.
As for .green, we have been very visible for years via domain name industry events, green events and social media. Our branding of .green and the building and excitement around the .green market has been going strong, especially in the first half of 2012. Think about it – two monumental changes are happening on a global basis and DotGreen Community Inc. is sitting right in the middle of bringing them together – the rapid and ever-increasing growth of both the Internet and the need and response to green around the world.
From our perspective, .green will be an inclusive domain name space, bringing together all who care about sustainability, our planet and our people – governments, non-profits and NGO’s, large corporations, small and medium enterprises and individuals. We welcome “all shades of green”, whether your company is formed around the green movement, whether you are “certified” green, whether you are a little bit green or whether you think you want to become green, there is a place for you to the left of the .green domain name, and a place for you to continue your path forward!
The GREEN movement has faced challenges over many years and has not backed down. Likewise, DotGreen Community now faces challenges and we are more focused than ever on bringing GREEN and the Internet together. More details to follow but for now, THINK GREEN and GO GREEN!