Last spring, I wrote about ways that I, personally, am going green, as well as steps National Geographic is taking as an organization to green its facilities and practices.
For my own part, the quest for the emerald standard continues--can anyone really claim to have "achieved" greendom? This summer, I'm foregoing the air conditioner, which those who are familiar with D.C. in August can appreciate. Let's just say you can take the swamp out of the city, but you can't quite take the city out of the swamp.
National Geographic, also, has racked up some impressive green feats just this week, which I thought I'd share with you all. Not to toot our own horn too much, but I think it's worth celebrating, and I'm proud to work for an organization that stands true to its mission!
NG Receives Bronze Bicycle Award
Monday, at a ceremony in 100 degree heat, National Geographic was conferred a bronze-level, "Bicycle-Friendly Business" rating by the League of American Bicyclists. NG joins approximately 40 businesses nationwide, out of nearly 300 total that have applied, in attaining LAB recognition for its practices; which include more than 144 covered bicycle parking spots, onsite bike repair stations, bicycle safety classes, employee incentives such as a guaranteed ride home program, and flexible work options.
As a new bicycle commuter myself (as a result of my move further away from the office), I am very grateful to have these services available!
Silver...and Gold!
Nearly six years after National Geographic Headquarters became the first existing building complex in the U.S. to become green-certified, the Society has been "upgraded" from silver to gold status. The recertification at the gold level is based on 2007 actual performance at the Headquarters complex.
Hans Wegner, NG GoGreen leader, said of the Society's accomplishment:
"Setting goals is easy. Getting it done is hard. It requires not only that we retrofit where we can, but that we engage the staff to help by reducing our energy consumption, and thereby to inspire each other to care about the planet in the place where we work."
[LEED EB is a program of the U.S. Green Building Council, and its goal is to reduce carbon emissions by promoting the reduction of energy and water usage in buildings along with efficient use of resources to achieve sustainability. There are three levels of certification - silver, gold and platinum.]
NG Kids' Guinness-winning Denim Collection
NG Kids set its fourth Guinness World Record yesterday, August 12, this time for Largest Collection of Clothes to Recycle. More than 30,000 jeans have been rolled and stacked into a denim house. The display will remain for two weeks, before being recycled into insulation for houses.
Denim insulation, in addition to being eco-friendly, is also friendly to human hands and lungs; free of the chemicals--and the itch factor--of fiberglass!
Remember: you don't have to break records to do your part for the planet. Organizations like National Geographic are successful because of the collective small actions, and buy-in, of employees and customers alike. So make sure to let corporations taking green strides know you support their actions by leveraging your purchasing power and voicing your enthusiasm!
I am a social studies teacher and have to give a short presentation at a teacher workshop on geography podcasts. I have a few already but really could use some more-especially geography-education related.
I think it is a very good idea to go green, because you are helping the world and that means a lot to me and probly other people too. Who ever wrote this artical I hope every one reads it because IT COULD SAVE ARE PLANET.
Fishey101
Thanks Fishey,
Please feel free to pass the article on to any friends using the "share" feature to encourage them to adopt greener lifestyles, and I'd love to know what you're doing to go green!
Sarah Jane
Supposed to be working, anwway.Go green!