The authors of a new high-tech computer book from have committed to offset the “carbon footprint” of their publication by donating all royalties to the Orangutan Conservancy.

Project California: a Data Center Virtualization Server – UCS (2009) describes the new server architecture from Cisco Systems, and was published earlier this year by Lulu.com. Authors Silvano Gai, Tommi Salli, Roger Andersson chose to direct their royalties to the Orangutan Conservancy (OC) when they realized how destructive published materials can be.

“When we started this book, we discussed the possibility of publishing it either in electronic format or as a regular book,” the authors wrote in the Foreword. “Through our experience we have seen books have a larger impact compared to PDF files distributed on a CD or over the Internet. One of the few disadvantages of printed books is their carbon footprint that, even if minimum, still exists.”

A carbon footprint is generally measured as the amount of energy – which can include heating, lighting, paper, computers, telephones, air conditioning, and natural resources, such as trees – that is utilized on a project. While every publication’s carbon footprint is different, it is estimated that a 292-page book such as Project California typically accounts for 1.3 kg of carbon dioxide emissions per copy.

Project California retails for $28.95, and is available through all major bookstores and on-line booksellers. It can also be purchased directly from Lulu.com.

“I have always said it’s going to take people who think outside the box to make a difference in the battle to save orangutans, and that’s what these authors have done,” said OC president Norm Rosen. “On the surface, it would appear that their work has very little in common with orangutan conservation. But they chose to make that link in an innovative way, and we are grateful for their support.”

The Orangutan Conservancy was established in 1999 to support projects that focus on wild orangutan protection; reintroduction; education; and research. The Orangutan Conservancy is a partner of the Great Apes Survival Project (GRASP). For more information, please visit the Orangutan Conservancy website or contact click to email.