Arc'teryx Commits to Science-Based Action on Climate Change

On Earth Day 50, Arc’teryx is resolving to #DoJust1Thing by committing to science-based action on climate change. By setting science-based targets to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, we commit ourselves to a path to grow and succeed in a responsible, sustainable manner. It’s too important not to act, and by doing so we hope to inspire others to join us.

Now more than ever, we see the importance and value of community and we hope to inspire others to join us in this urgent issue. These ambitious goals will ensure our company is taking the transformational action needed to fight climate change and progress toward a low-carbon economy.
- Katie Wilson, Senior Manager, Social & Environmental Sustainability at Arc’teryx.

Learn more about Arc’teryx’s commitment to sustainability. Hear more from Arc’teryx’s Drummond Lawson below.

Arc'teryx Commits To Science-Based Action On Climate Change from Earth Day Initiative on Vimeo.

By 2030, Arc’teryx is committed to achieving two science-based targets, verified by the Science Based Targets Institute:

• For Arc’teryx headquarters, Canadian production facility and global retail stores: to reduce our absolute Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions by 65% by 2030.

• For Arc’teryx materials, products, factories, mills, shipping, and distribution centres: to reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions 65% per unit of value added by 2030.  

To achieve these Science-Based Targets and deliver emissions reductions, the brand will implement a strategic, four-tiered approach: lower-impact materials and product design, renewable energy projects, energy efficiency, and circular business models.

The Durst Organization Commits to Green Buildings

Green buildings are healthier buildings. The Durst Organization thoughtfully integrates sustainable design, engineering, materials, and construction to conserve water, save energy, reduce environmental impact, and create healthy and engaging places where occupants can work, live, and thrive.

The Durst Organization was founded in 1915 with a simple philosophy to “Leave each place better than you found it.” This has driven The Durst Organization to integrate innovative green practices into all aspects of the portfolio, including two acres of green roofs, beehives, an organic composting program, thermal ice storage air conditioning systems, and a 4.6-Megawatt Cogeneration Plant.

- Vanessa Jaworski

Learn more about the Durst Organization’s commitment to sustainability.

Brightest Planting New Trees to Encourage Climate Action

Brightest commits to planting one new tree for every person who takes climate action on Earth Day by attending a climate strike, event, rally, or march. Someone can (a) pledge or mark an action complete on our website or app (https://www.brightest.io), (b) email us a photo or video of them taking action to action@brightest.io or (c) tag us on an Instagram post (@brightest), and we'll count up all the actions we see and receive and plant trees.

The first Earth Day in 1970 is a historic example of what caring people power can accomplish: it created the EPA and led to the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act. All the scientific evidence is clear we are in a climate crisis and need transformational change to save lives and protect our children's future, and Earth Day 2020 is a perfect call-to-action to come together, recreate that original Earth Day solidarity, and inspire that change in a critical election year.

- Chris Bolman

Learn more about Brightest’s commitment to sustainability.

PowerMarket to provide Solar electricity at a discount to Low- to Moderate-Income Households

PowerMarket commits to providing clean, locally sourced electricity at a discount through community solar initiatives to over 1,000 low- to moderate-income households.

“Our urbanizing population needs creative, sustainable solutions for all households to combat climate change. We strive for energy equity while transitioning to the clean economy and are proud to stand beside Earth Day Initiative.”

Learn more about PowerMarket’s commitment to sustainability.

Le Botaniste To Help Customers Understand the Power of Recycling and Composting

Le Botaniste is a plant-based organic food and wine bar that makes eating vegetables easier and more convenient. Le Botaniste is the first plant-based organic restaurant to be certified CO2 neutral. Since day one they have committed to generating as little waste as possible and offsetting their carbon footprint. Le Botaniste proves that operating a restaurant can be done in a clean and ecological way.  As Earth Day 50 approaches, Le Botaniste is working hard towards a solution for sustainable composting that makes financial sense for small businesses. Their commitment for Earth Day 50 is to implement messaging in their restaurants to help customers understand the power of recycling and composting in the food industry.

“Today’s sustainability environment is dynamic, and we will continue to evolve and grow on this front. Sustainability is an important part of the larger Le Botaniste conversation. We proactively share our activities as well as the latest news on topics such as the importance of food traceability from farm to fork, waste minimization, recyclability, our carbon footprint, eco-friendly cleaning products, electricity and LED lighting, and nutrition, to name a few!”

Learn more about Le Botaniste’s sustainability commitment.

Harvard Forward to Engage 25,000 alumni in climate conversation

Harvard Forward is working to elect forward-looking Harvard alumni to the university's Board of Overseers, so that they can push Harvard to divest from fossil fuels, invest in climate research and education, and become a leader in the fight against climate change. To commemorate Earth Day 50, Harvard Forward commits to reaching out to at least 25,000 alumni in its efforts to mobilize the Harvard alumni community for this important election and engage alumni in the climate conversation.

“Climate change is a threat to everybody, and Harvard is uniquely positioned to be a global leader: we have the resources necessary to take meaningful action and the sociopolitical weight to inspire others to follow. That's why we must act immediately to completely divest our endowment from fossil fuels and devote more resources to the students and faculty who are developing cross-disciplinary solutions to fight climate change.”

- Danielle Strasburger, Harvard Forward Campaign Manager

Learn more about Harvard Forward’s commitment to sustainability.

Delicious and Sons to be plastic free by 2021 and carbon neutral by 2030

In honor of Earth Day 50, Delicious & Sons commits to going 100% plastic free by 2021. In addition, the company is taking steps to become carbon neutral by 2030.

“In today’s world we don’t have a choice, there is only one way to do business: ethically, with strong values, and be socially and environmentally responsible in order to create a better world. We want to set a positive example, as individuals, as parents, as a business; Delicious & Sons is conscious food that is good for you and good for the planet.”

- Monica Navarro, Co-Founder & Creative Director

Learn more about Delicious & Son’s sustainability programs. 

Pratt Institute to ban single-use plastic bottles from campus

To commemorate Earth Day 50, the Pratt Institute, in collaboration with AVI Fresh, is banning all single-use plastic water bottles from their campuses. The administration worked with students to discontinue the sale of plastic bottles and increase the quantity of filling stations.

"This ban proves that when enough students speak their minds, academic leadership and facilities respond. This is a great example of what is to come in the future for sustainability at Pratt. We also see great engagement from Pratt's leadership around environmental consciousness. So these positive changes are happening both bottom up and top down."  - Tetsu Ohara

Learn more about Pratt Institute’s sustainability initiatives.

TIAA commits to greening its corporate offices

TIAA is making a commitment to enhance its environmental performance plan as it further renovates offices across the country.

In line with our values and our commitment to customers, TIAA has always been a responsible corporate citizen. This includes the impact that our corporate offices have on the surrounding communities. We can continue to do this one thing – enhance our environmental performance plan – in which in 2018 we conserved nearly 6.3 million gallons of water, saved more than 15 thousand trees, and avoided more than 4 thousand yards of landfill space through our sustainability practices.

Learn more about TIAA’s sustainability initiatives.

Broadway Green Alliance to engage 30 percent more theatre patrons

For Earth Day 50, The Broadway Green Alliance pledges that it will reach 30 percent more theatre patrons and fans to educate, motivate, and inspire them toward more environmentally-friendly practices.

As Earth Day 50 approaches, the Broadway Green Alliance is committed to harnessing the power and tools of artists to amplify the urgency of the climate crisis and to cultivate courage and community around the most pressing challenge of our time.

Learn more about Broadway Green Alliance.

OUT for Sustainability commits to vegetarian food and ban on single-use plastics

In honor of Earth Day 50, OUT for Sustainability, the leading LGBTQ+ nonprofit dedicated to reimagining our environment, has committed to a new catering policy whereby single-use plastics are no longer utilized and only vegetarian foods are served at official events.

The 50th anniversary of Earth Day comes one year after the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. As the leading LGBTQ+ nonprofit dedicated to reimagining our environment, we are thrilled to join forces with Earth Day 50 and ensure our community is represented in the growing sustainability movement. Intersectionality is key to our philosophy and perspective on sustainability, where the facets of who we are are viewed as an interconnected paradigm of identity, society, and environment. Together we can promote our plastic-free pride and build a more fabulous planet!

Learn more about OUT for Sustainability.

Baldor Specialty Foods to send zero organics to landfill

Currently, Baldor’s Fresh Cuts facility is sending zero organics to landfill. Baldor wants to take it a step further and make it their company-wide goal, by eliminating all pre- and post-consumer food going to landfill.

We want to eliminate the thought of food being waste, and using it to its full potential. This contributes to feeding the food insecure and combating the climate crisis by reducing carbon emissions on the environment.

Learn more about Baldor’s robust sustainability initiatives.

Just Salad to save over 100,000 pounds of plastic in 2020

To commemorate Earth Day 50, Just Salad commits to saving over 100,000 pounds of plastic in 2020 through its reusable bowl program, the largest restaurant reusable program in the world. Guests can purchase their reusable bowl for $1 and they’ll receive free toppings (like avocado) with every use.

“The future of fast casual is zero waste, and we believe that reusable packaging is the best way to achieve that goal. By expanding upon reusable solutions like our signature reusable bowl, we hope to make zero waste dining easily attainable for our guests and for the industry at large.”

- Sandra Noonan, Chief Sustainability Officer

Learn more about Just Salad’s sustainability programs.