Green Buildings to the Rescue
Earth Day is 40 years old. Back when it began in 1970, “green buildings” referred to their color. Today, they stand for energy efficiency, reduced waste and cost savings. But above all, green buildings can save the world!
OK, maybe that claim is a little exaggerated, but the impact buildings have on the environment is undeniable because they generate some of the biggest carbon footprints in this country.
Do you know your building’s carbon footprint?
So this Earth Day, we salute all building owners, facilities managers and tenants across the country who have committed to turning green. They have the power to move all of us to a greener, greater world. You might even say they have the power to save the world?
Here is one example:
Deutsche Bank’s Global Earth Week
Great Forest recently assisted Jones Lang LaSalle with the development and execution of Deutsche Bank‘s first annualGlobal Earth Week event from March 22-27. The employee outreach event combined World Water Day, Earth Day and Earth Hour into a weeklong event, demonstrating the Bank’s commitment to environmental sustainability in the areas of water, paper, carbon and waste management.
The Americas portion of the event was held in six primary locations including New York City, Chicago, Jacksonville, and San Paulo, Brazil.
More than 40 service providers, business partners and nonprofit organizations participated in the Earth Week trade show to educate employees on sustainable activities in the workplace and at home.
In addition, several sustainability initiatives were launched including a Reusable Cafe Tote Program for office cafeterias, expansion of the Bank’s Reusable Mug Program and speaking panels on green buildings and water conservation.
A 30-foot long mural, “Acting Sustainably,” was installed outside the cafe entrance at 60 Wall Street. The mural highlights more than 40 “Did you Know?” sustainability facts and tips.
“Deutsche Bank has taken a progressive leadership position in terms of executing their global carbon reduction commitments,” said Koley MacKay, Jones Lang LaSalle Energy and Sustainability Manager for Deutsche Bank Americas.
“Employee engagement is a major factor in the success of sustainability related initiatives and Earth Week provides a great opportunity to inform and educate the employees on the benefits of the Bank’s programs.”
Did you see Great Forest at your Earth Day event?
Vijay Jesrani and Shira Siegel at Time Warner Center’s “Live Green Every Day” event
Olivia Percy and Nathaniel Kimball at 900 Third Avenue