We’re approaching another anniversary of Earth Day — happy 42nd, kid! — and our editors asked me to contribute to the conversation. I’m not exactly sure why, but my best guess is that their inboxes are flooded with cringe-inducing announcements that could cause a case of deep green cynicism (or, at a minimum, add to the ever-growing list of “meh”).
With our focus on the business of sustainability, I wanted to find out whether Earth Day has grown too last century or if it’s still meaningful to corporate America. In looking for guidance, I turned to the GreenBiz Executive Network, our member-based, peer-to-peer learning forum for sustainability professionals from large companies.
Engaging employees
Most of the sustainability executives I contacted see Earth Day (or Earth Week or Earth Month) as an opportunity to connect and engage with their employees. Wells Fargo’s Environmental Affairs team member Krista Van Tassel has a busy April as the company encourages employees to participate in National Volunteer Week, Teach Children to Save Day, Rebuilding Together Day and Earth Day 2012 – Mobilize the Earth (which features performances by Cheap Trick and Kicking Daisies in DC on Sunday; hopefully the band names aren’t indicative of Washington’s view of the celebration).
Volunteerism is tightly coupled with most employee engagement programs: A number of companies plan park cleanups and other activities this weekend. Others are tying Earth Day activities to Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.
Many of the executives I talked with sponsor lobby events where employees can learn about the efforts of local environmental groups or test drive an electric car. Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) will have a Fisker Karma available, along with several other different electric vehicles, Josh Henretig, group manager for environmental sustainability at the company, told me.
Source: GreenBiz.com
By John Davies