SOURCE:Whirlpool Corporation

DESCRIPTION:

We continually monitor the environmental effects of our business, not only by creating many new and innovative products that consume less water and energy, but also by improving our manufacturing processes. Our expanded use of clean, renewable wind energy in Ohio is one example of how we work to minimize our impact on the planet.

Tweet me:The expanded use of clean, renewable wind energy is one way that @WhirlpoolCorp is improving manufacturing process: http://bit.ly/2otqsY5

KEYWORDS: Environment, Energy, whirlpool corporation, sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility, Wind Energy, Global Impact, Infographic

SOURCE:Ceres

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Media Contacts:

• Peyton Fleming / Ceres - 617-733-6660 | fleming@ceres.org
• Melanie Gade / World Wildlife Fund - 202-495-4143 | melanie.gade@wwfus.org
• Colleen Lavery / Calvert - 617-672-8995 | clavery@eatonvance.com
• Camilla Lyngsby / CDP - 646-668-4184 | camilla.lyngsby@cdp.net

April 25, 2017 /3BL Media/ -- Despite efforts from Washington to sideline action on climate change, a growing number of Fortune 500 companies are taking increasingly ambitious steps to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, procure more renewable energy and reduce their energy bills through energy efficiency, according to a new report released today from World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Ceres, Calvert Research and Management (Calvert) and CDP.

Sixty-three percent of Fortune 100 companies have set one or more clean energy targets. Nearly half of Fortune 500 companies – 48 percent – have at least one climate or clean energy target, up five percent from an earlier 2014 report. Accompanying this growth is rising ambition, with significant numbers of companies setting 100 percent renewable energy goals and science-based GHG reduction targets that align with the global goal of limiting global temperature rise to below two degrees Celsius.

Findings from the new report, “Power Forward 3.0: How the largest U.S. companies are capturing business value while addressing climate change,” are based on 2016 company disclosures to CDP, which holds the world’s largest collection of self-reported corporate environmental data, and other public sources.

“American businesses are leading the transition to a clean economy because it’s smart business and it’s what their customers want,” said Marty Spitzer, World Wildlife Fund’s senior director of climate and renewable energy. “Clean energy is fueling economic opportunity from coast to coast without regard for party line. Washington policies may slow this boom, but these companies are making it very clear that a transition to a low-carbon economy is inevitable.”

The report highlights the financial benefits companies receive from their clean energy investments: Nearly 80,000 emission-reducing projects by 190 Fortune 500 companies reporting data showed nearly $3.7 billion in savings in 2016 alone. The emission reductions from these efforts are equivalent to taking 45 coal-fired power plants offline every year. Praxair, IBM and Microsoft are among the companies saving tens of millions of dollars annually through their energy efficiency efforts.

The 240 companies with targets have set one or more of the following goals: GHG reductions, energy efficiency improvements, or renewable energy sourcing. Two hundred and eleven companies have set a GHG reduction goal, making it the most common target.

“We are encouraged to see significant improvement in both the number of Fortune 500 companies setting climate and clean energy goals and the ambition of those goals – in particular commitments to setting science-based and 100 percent renewable energy targets,” said Anne Kelly, senior director of policy and the BICEP network at Ceres. “But in order to meet our national and global emissions goals, more companies will need to join the champions highlighted in this report, both in setting goals and in becoming vocal advocates for continued federal and state policies in support of climate and clean energy progress.”

Ten percent (53) of companies have set renewable energy targets, and almost half of those (23) have committed to power 100 percent of their operations with renewable energy – among those, Wal-Mart, General Motors, Bank of America, Google, Apple and Facebook. The growth in the number and ambition of renewable energy commitments is mainly the result of recent sharp declines in renewable energy costs, which saves companies money, and of price certainty that comes with renewable energy.

“Corporate commitment to energy efficiency and renewable energy is an accelerating trend that illustrates broader recognition within the business community of the importance of clean energy and the financial benefits it can yield,” said Stu Dalheim, vice president of corporate shareholder engagement for Calvert. “Many of the largest companies in the U.S. are achieving significant cost savings through clean energy programs and mitigating longer-term risks associated with energy price volatility.”

Some of the strongest efforts are also among Fortune 100 companies, with nearly two-thirds (63 percent) adopting or retaining goals. The report also shows strong improvement among the smallest 100 companies in the Fortune 500, with 44 percent setting goals in one or more categories, up 19 percentage points from the 2014 report.

The report shows a significant spread in target setting among different sectors, with Consumer Staples (72%), Materials (66%), and Utilities (65%) sectors leading in setting clean energy goals and the Energy sector (11%), including oil & gas companies, significantly lagging.

“CDP and the investors we work with, representing over US$100 trillion in assets, engage thousands of the world’s largest companies to measure and manage climate-related risks” said Lance Pierce, president of CDP North America. “Voluntary corporate disclosure highlights the compelling business case for corporate clean energy procurement and clearly demonstrates the transition underway in the energy markets. Companies in turn have benefited, identifying billions of dollars in savings and new opportunities through their disclosures to CDP.”

The report includes key recommendations for companies, policymakers and investors to continue to scale clean energy efforts, such as:

• Companies should continue to set, implement and communicate clean energy targets, while supporting local, state and national policies that make it easier to achieve their climate and energy commitments.
• Federal and state policymakers should establish clear, long-term low-carbon polices that will help companies meet their clean energy targets while also helping the U.S. meet its carbon-reducing commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement.
• Investors should consider allocating their investments to companies well-positioned for the low-carbon economy. Investors should continue to file shareholder resolutions and engage in dialogues with companies to encourage them to set climate and energy efficiency targets and position themselves for a low-carbon future.

For more information and to download the full report, click here.

###

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is one of the world's leading conservation organizations, working in 100 countries for over half a century. With the support of almost 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, halt the degradation of the environment and combat climate change. Visit www.worldwildlife.org to learn more and follow our news conversations on Twitter @WWFNews.

Ceres is a sustainability nonprofit organization working with the most influential investors and companies to build leadership and drive solutions throughout the economy. Through powerful networks and advocacy, Ceres tackles the world’s biggest sustainability challenges, including climate change, water scarcity and pollution, and human rights abuses. For more information, visit www.ceres.org and follow @CeresNews.

Calvert Research and Management is a leader in Responsible Investing, with approximately $9.8 billion of mutual fund and separate account assets under management as of March 31, 2017. The company traces its roots to Calvert Investments, which was founded in 1976 and was the first to launch a socially responsible mutual fund that avoided investment in companies that did business in apartheid-era South Africa. Today, the Calvert Funds are one of the largest and most diversified families of responsibly invested mutual funds, encompassing actively and passively managed strategies, U.S. and international equity strategies, fixed-income strategies and asset allocation funds. Calvert Research and Management is a wholly owned subsidiary of Eaton Vance. For more information, visit calvert.com.

CDP is an international non-profit that drives companies and governments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources and protect forests. Voted number one climate research provider by investors and working with institutional investors with assets of US$100 trillion, we leverage investor and buyer power to motivate companies to disclose and manage their environmental impacts. Over 5,800 companies with some 60% of global market capitalization disclosed environmental data through CDP in 2016. This is in addition to the over 500 cities and 100 states and regions who disclosed, making CDP’s platform one of the richest sources of information globally on how companies and governments are driving environmental change. CDP, formerly Carbon Disclosure Project, is a founding member of the We Mean Business Coalition. Please visit www.cdp.net or follow us @CDP to find out more.

Tweet me:Clean energy goes mainstream: Half of Fortune 500 companies have set a climate or clean energy goal. #PowerForward http://bit.ly/2oFaXY2

Contact Info:

Peyton Fleming
Ceres
+1 (617) 733-6660
fleming@ceres.org

KEYWORDS: Energy, Green Infrastructure, renewable energy, energy efficiency, fortune 500

SOURCE:Fair Trade USA

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Article from GRINDTV

In an effort to mark the anniversary of the Rana Plaza Factory collapse, WWD reports that Fair Trade USA has gathered notable influencers and figures from...

Read more at GRINDTV

Tweet me:.@FairTradeUSA partners with @Patagonia, @Outerknown & @Prana for new #FashionRevolution campaign http://bit.ly/2oG2wg0

Contact Info:

Elise Segars
Fair Trade USA
esegars@fairtradeusa.org

KEYWORDS: Events, Media & Communications, Awareness Day, fair trade, Fair Trade USA, We Wear Fair Trade, PrAna, patagonia, Outerknown, Athleta, Obey Clothing

The surfer and Outerknown founder; the artist; ceos of Patagonia and Athleta and more star in Fair Trade USA's "We Wear Fair Trade'' campaign

SOURCE:Fair Trade USA

DESCRIPTION:

Article by WWD

To mark the anniversary of the Rana Plaza Factory Collapse, Fair Trade USA will launch a digital photo campaign called “We Wear Fair Trade” with its apparel partners Patagonia, Outerknown, Obey, Athleta and Prana, on Fashion Revolution Day, April 24.

The trade group, which provides the Fair Trade mark to products that adhere to a strict checklist of sustainable and ethical labor practices...

Continue reading on WWD

Tweet me:.@FairTradeUSA’s ‘We Wear Fair Trade’ campaign features @KellySlater & Shepard Fairey http://bit.ly/2oIXxuU @OBEYGIANT

Contact Info:

Elise Segars
Fair Trade USA
esegars@fairtradeusa.org

KEYWORDS: Events, Media & Communications, Awareness Day, fair trade, Fair Trade USA, We Wear Fair Trade, Fashion Revolution, Outerknown, Obey Clothing, Kelly Slater, Shepard Fairey, PrAna, patagonia, Athleta

By Tony Bravo, San Francisco Chronicle

SOURCE:Fair Trade USA

DESCRIPTION:

Article by San Francisco Chronicle 

Oakland’s Fair Trade USA and apparel partners Patagonia, Outerknown, Obey, Athleta and Prana have collaborated on a photo project featuring portraits of company leaders and athletes associated with the brands...

Tweet me:.@FairTradeUSA partners with athletes and leaders for new photo series by @jeffjohnson_beyondandback http://bit.ly/2osVAqk

Contact Info:

Elise Segars
Fair Trade USA
esegars@fairtradeusa.org

KEYWORDS: Events, Media & Communications, Awareness Day, fair trade, Fair Trade USA, Fashion Revolution, We Wear Fair Trade, patagonia, Jeff Johnson, PrAna, Outerknown, Obey Clothing, Athleta

SOURCE:JetBlue Airways

DESCRIPTION:

In February 2016, we announced JetBlue Technology Ventures, a Silicon Valley initiative that incubates, invests in, and partners with early-stage start-ups at the intersection of technology, travel, and hospitality.

JetBlue Technology Ventures also teamed up with El Al’s Cockpit Innovation Lab to launch the Navigator program, an international accelerator program for start-ups in the air travel industry.

For JetBlue, we believe that by looking at the start-up landscape and leveraging agile and innovative companies, we will be uniquely able to expand our hospitality expertise and develop truly insightful relationships with our customers.

“We want travel-tech start-ups to consider it a badge of honor that they have JetBlue Technology Ventures on the cap sheet. And of course, we want to also help JetBlue innovate, become more efficient, and stay ahead.” — Bonny Simi, President, JetBlue Technology Ventures

JetBlue Technology Ventures is honored to receive the GCV Award for New Entrant of the Year, as we seek to simplify customers’ journeys and empower JetBlue crewmembers to provide an even better experience.

Review our Technology Ventures portfolio: jetblueventures.com/portfolio 

To learn more about JetBlue’s long-term responsibility platform and to view the full report, visit responsibilityreport.jetblue.com/2016.

Tweet me:.@JetBlue Technology Ventures incubates, invests in, and partners with start-ups http://bit.ly/2oE1BN1 #travel #technology #innovation

KEYWORDS: Innovation & Technology, jetblue technology ventures, start-ups, travel, Social Responsible Investing

Samsung awards students from three public schools in Arizona, Nebraska and New York at 7th annual awards luncheon in Washington, D.C. alongside U.S. government officials

SOURCE:Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J., April 26, 2017 /3BL Media/- After months of researching, designing and developing prototypes, three schools have been named national winners in the $2 million* Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest– a nationwide competition that challenges 6th through 12th graders to use STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) to address real-world problems in their communities.

Tackling complex issues of student hunger, wildlife safety and overabundant pesticides in crops, the three national winners were awarded today after presenting their projects to a panel of judges during the National Finalist Pitch Event yesterday. Emerging from thousands of public school entries from across the country and being selected one of 255 state finalists (5 per state), then one of 51 state winners, and then one of 10 national finalists, Snowflake Junior High School in Snowflake, Ariz., Gering High School in Gering Neb. and The Secondary School for Journalism in Brooklyn, N.Y. ultimately advanced through these phases of the contest to achieve their 2017 status as national winners.

“In the face of challenge and adversity, students applied STEAM skills to create hope and possibility. From combating hunger and ensuring safety, to protecting wildlife and preserving natural resources, these remarkable young people have developed tangible solutions to problems faced by their neighbors and communities all over the world,” said Ann Woo, Senior Director of Corporate Citizenship, Samsung Electronics America. “Our hope for Solve for Tomorrow is to instill confidence in today’s youth and give them the tools to imagine and pursue a career in STEAM, and ultimately, take an active role in improving the world.”

The three national winners will receive $150,000* in technology products such as LED TVs, laptops and tablets. Additionally, each school has earned a $20,000 donation to a local nonprofit of their choice. This year’s winners include:

Snowflake Junior High School in Snowflake, Ariz.
As 150 people die each year in car accidents due to wildlife collisions, students at Snowflake Junior High School have created a detection system to alert oncoming traffic that an animal is nearby. With this device, students hope to lower the amount of human fatalities and preserve the community’s wildlife. Students at Snowflake Junior High School have won a donation for the Phoenix Herpetological Society.

Samsung also named Snowflake Junior High School as this year’s Community Choice winner, for securing the most public votes on social media. As the Community Choice Winner, students have won an additional $20,000* in technology for their school as well as an additional $15,000 donation for the Phoenix Herpetological Society. View their project video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6qd-rq-X30. #SamsungSolveSJHS

Gering High School in Gering, Neb.
Students in the small farming community of Gering, Neb. noticed that there seemed to be an overabundant use of herbicides and pesticides on crops. With a growing concern for a safe water and food supply, an electronics class from Gering High School designed and built a drone-powered spraying system to precisely target weeds and eliminate the need to blanket spray large fields. Students at Gering High School have won a donation for the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research & Extension Center. View their project video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4uHlK_lICg. #SamsungSolveGHS

The Secondary School for Journalism in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Students at Secondary School for Journalism identified an important issue facing their community – 1 out of 4 kids go to sleep hungry every night. At the Secondary School for Journalism, 78 percent of the school receives free lunch, and for some students, that may be the only meal have all day. To ensure their fellow students don't go hungry, they created an app that curates a network of local schools and restaurants that will donate free dinner that might otherwise have gone to waste. Students at The Secondary School for Journalism have won a donation for WhyHunger. View their project video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYzoW2KfI1Y. #SamsungSolveSSFJ

The three national winners were honored at an awards ceremony at the Eastern Market North Hall in Washington, D.C. today. In addition, Samsung recognized the contest’s other seven national finalists for their creative work to develop solutions for their respective local communities.

In addition to honoring the students, Samsung recognized Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-9), Congressman Will Hurd (R-TX-23), and Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX-21) for championing STEAM education in K-12 schools nationwide and encouraging students to pursue careers in STEAM.   

"STEAM education is a smart investment. The average STEAM job salary is 70 percent more than national average and STEAM jobs are growing twice the rate of other jobs. While we haven’t always made the investment at the federal level, I’m committed to do my part in Washington to support STEAM programs," Rep. Pascrell said. "I want to congratulate all of the schools for your excellent work and progressing to this level in the competition. The students here today have a bright future ahead, thanks to their own ingenuity, family and community support, federal grants from the Department of Education, and investments and leadership from companies like Samsung."

“It's exciting that Samsung is running STEAM programs like Solve for Tomorrow because they are helping our youth tackle hard challenges today that will lead to the future jobs of tomorrow,” said Rep. Hurd.

While in Washington, D.C. this week, students and teachers also had the opportunity to meet with and present their projects to their respective congressional representatives from Arkansas, Arizona, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas and West Virginia.

The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest was created in 2010 to encourage innovation while addressing the technology gap in classrooms across the country. Each year, the competition inspires more active, hands-on teaching and learning among schools nationwide. Since 2004, Samsung has provided more than $19 million in technology to more than 1,000 public schools in the United States. Over the course of seven years, Samsung has received more than 15,000 entries, empowering youth to identify and problem-solve with the support of their teachers, peers, schools and communities at large.

To learn more about the contest, please visit: ​www.samsung.com/solve.

*Estimated Retail Value

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, N.J., Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), is a recognized innovative leader in consumer electronics, mobile devices and enterprise solutions. A wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SEA is pushing beyond the limits of today’s technology and providing consumers and organizations with a portfolio of groundbreaking products in appliances, home entertainment, Internet of Things, mobile computing, smartphones, virtual reality, wireless infrastructure and wearables, in addition to offering leading content and services related to mobile payments, 360-degree VR video, customer support and more. Samsung is a pioneering leader in smartphones and HDTVs in the U.S. and one of America’s fastest growing home appliance brands. To discover more about Samsung, please visit www.samsung.com. For the latest Samsung news, please visit news.samsung.com/us and follow us @SamsungNewsUS.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com.

Tweet me:3 schools named #SamsungSolve National Winners for using #STEAM to make a difference http://bit.ly/2q6Glk3 @SamsungNewsUS

KEYWORDS: Education, Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Snowflake Junior High School, Gering High School, The Secondary School for Journalism, Samsung Electronics

SOURCE:Whirlpool Corporation

DESCRIPTION:

Whirlpool Cleveland employee Melvin Thompson has achieved many successes and he will soon add another accolade to his long list of accomplishments.

In May Melvin will reach his 34 year milestone as a beloved Whirlpool employee, but this loyal, happy and hardworking fixture at the Cleveland facility also holds the proud title of father, grandfather and friend to so many in and around the community.

On April 14th Melvin “The Moose” Thompson and his sister Angie “Miss Superstar” will be inducted into Cleveland Parks and Recreation Department’s ‘Old Timers Hall of Fame’, recognized as the legends they are – and always will be.

Not only does Melvin enjoy his job, he beams when he speaks about his family and their individual athletic and career achievements. He instilled the same drive and determination in his daughters, Marissa, an accomplished singer and songwriter, and Melyn, a nurse. They, too, were honored multiple times with All-State titles for various sports.

He encouraged his daughters to never give up.

“If you start a something – you finish it,” Melvin says.

He holds the same values in his job, as well as an intense esteem, love and respect for games on the gridiron. In high school his football coach and peers appropriately nicknamed Melvin “The Legend.”

But, that wasn’t the only distinctive title Melvin earned for his athletic prowess and impressive plays with the Cleveland High School Blue Raiders from 1976 to 1979.

Melvin was also known around campus as “The Moose.”

Melvin “The Moose” Thompson humbly explains, “Nobody could block me.”

The defensive tackle made over 215 solo tackles and hundreds of assists. Thompson stood 6-foot-2 and weighed 216 pounds during his high school career.

Melvin served as team captain and was named “Best Defensive Lineman” and “Most Valuable Player.”  He was also appointed to All-Star status several times.

Joining him as an inductee — and an All-State athlete herself — is his sister,who will be honored in an upcoming ceremony.

Angie Thompson, or “Miss Superstar” as she was affectionately called by her classmates, played basketball for the Cleveland High Blue Raiderettes from 1980 to 1983, and still holds an unbroken school record.

Thank you, Melvin, for representing the community and for representing Whirlpool Cleveland so well!

Tweet me:.@WhirlpoolCorp Cleveland employee Melvin Thompson receives special community award: http://bit.ly/2q6YU7N

KEYWORDS: Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Employee Engagement, whirlpool, Melvin Thompson, Old Timers Hall of Fame

SOURCE:Qualcomm

DESCRIPTION:

The cities in which many of us live, work, and socialize are changing. There are now 28 megacities with populations of 10 million or more, and an additional 13 cities are expected to evolve into megacity status by 2030.

As anyone that lives or works in a major city can attest, rapid population growth can place extraordinary pressure on transportation networks. Roads are more congested, buses and trains become more crowded, and journeys take longer. If cities are to keep growing, city leaders must ensure that their citizens are able to travel freely and easily.

Continue reading OnQ

Tweet me:Where do we stand globally on the road to #sustainable urban mobility? Considerations for 35 cities http://bit.ly/2q6grgD @QualcommHalo

KEYWORDS: Research, Reports & Publications, Environment, Qualcomm, Corporate Social Responsibility, sustainability, urban mobility, CO2 Emissions, Paris Agreement, Centre for Economics and Business Research, Transformative Technology

Whirlpool Foundation Offers $15,000 Community Challenge Grant

SOURCE:Whirlpool Corporation

DESCRIPTION:

Three FIRST Robotics teams from the Tri Cities area will compete in the FIRST Robotics World Finals this week, April 26 - 29 in St. Louis, Missouri after competing against 160 other Michigan teams in the State Championships in Grand Rapids recently.

Whirlpool Corporation has proudly supported the FIRST Robotics program for seven years, encouraging students to pursue interests in areas of STEM education – science, technology, engineering and math. Whirlpool employees have provided thousands of volunteer hours to FIRST Robotics, other sponsorship support and tool chests for multiple rookie teams over the last three years through the Gladiator GarageWorks brand.

You can also read more about this in Herald Palladium. 

Tweet me:Michigan teams compete in FIRST Robotics World Finals this week, following support received from @WhirlpoolCorp: http://bit.ly/2oxjCAD

KEYWORDS: Innovation & Technology, Education, FIRST Robotics World Finals, whirlpool corporation, FIRST Robotics program

By: Deborah Roberts

SOURCE:Sodexo, Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

Sixty-four years ago, Congress declared that “The Marine Corps must be the most ready when the nation is generally least ready.” The years since have seen that proven out many times over. Marines are the first to respond in times of crisis all over the world, and their excellence is legendary. In 2016 alone, the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) executed approximately 185 operations, 140 security cooperation events with our partners and allies, and 65 major exercises.

Readiness has many components, but, ultimately, the health and fitness of every Marine is the core of the Corps. Gen. Glenn M. Walters, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps told Congress, “Unit readiness is always our most immediate concern. Cohesive unit teams are the instruments that accomplish national security objectives, and we must ensure our ability to successfully accomplish any mission when called.”

As the mother of a Marine, I know firsthand what it takes to be at their best every day and how critical their quality of life is to the Corps and our nation. Providing great dining services for today’s warriors means giving Marines more flexibility and control over when, where and what they eat.

Focusing on health is the most meaningful way that dining services can impact readiness and resilience. In offering  delicious, healthy choices—and a wide variety of them— Marines can select the food that makes them feel fit and ready. That means being able to accommodate those with food allergies and dietary restrictions, as well as cater to a variety of palates. In short, dining services must offer a wide variety of healthy and delicious choices that keep them fit and ready.

Another important part of this commitment is offering training and personal growth for military cooks. Customizable training programs can meet the needs of Marine Corps cooks, develop their skills, and equip them to transition to civilian life in the future. These programs aim to improve mission readiness and support their personal growth.

Sodexo is proud to serve 49 USMC bases across the U.S., and we strive to ensure that we do everything possible to promote Marines’ well-being and military readiness. Mess Hall 227 at Marine Corps Camp Lejeune in North Carolina is proud to do its part to improve Quality of Life for our servicemen and women. The operations team recently learned it was selected as the 2017 winner of the Best Full Food Service Mess Hall category in the annual W.P.T. Hill Memorial Awards for Foodservice Excellence. This prestigious award is an annual Marine Corps-wide competition among USMC installations around the globe. Competitors are judged on areas such as operations, sanitation, taste and quality of food.

Mess Hall 227’s recognition for outstanding service tells us that our efforts to support military Quality of Life are on point. We are very proud of this team’s accomplishments and proud to support it through ongoing training that furthers professional development. Our mission is to support unit readiness and we are honored to work hard every day to fulfill it.

Tweet me:Focusing on health is the most meaningful way that dining services can impact readiness & resilience https://goo.gl/d8qSF6 @sodexoUSA #USMC

KEYWORDS: Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Health & Healthcare, USMC, United States Marine Corps, health and fitness, W.P.T. Hill Memorial Awards, Sodexo

Opportunities to go above and beyond compliance

SOURCE:Boeing

DESCRIPTION:

Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) released a new white paper, Transforming Remediation Sites into Conservation Assets: How Companies Leverage Business Needs for Positive Environmental Outcomes, available for free on its website.

This white paper demonstrates how companies involved in remediation are moving beyond meeting regulatory requirements and increasingly adopting conservation-based approaches to site cleanup and reuse. It highlights case studies of various strategies WHC members have taken in advancing biodiversity on cleanup sites to create wildlife habitat, support local conservation priorities, and build green spaces for the community.

Sponsored by The Boeing Company, this white paper includes a foreword by Steve Shestag, Boeings Director of Environment, in which he states, In our pursuit of global environmental leadership, we champion the value of going above and beyond compliance. Put quite simply, our goal is to leave places better than we found them.

Tweet me:.@Boeing, @WildlifeHC showcase how cleanups can also conserve http://bit.ly/2q6t7UA

KEYWORDS: Research, Reports & Publications, Case Study, Boeing, remediation, Restoration, Wildlife Habitat Council, csr, CSG

SOURCE:USCCF Corporate Citizenship Center

DESCRIPTION:

View the case study report here.

Tweet me:Just released: Purposeful Partners: Private Sector Solutions to Preparing the Workforce of Tomorrow @USCCFBiz4Good https://goo.gl/74Chce

KEYWORDS: Research, Reports & Publications, Education, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center, case study report

SOURCE:Ingersoll Rand

DESCRIPTION:

SWORDS, Ireland, April 26, 2017 /3BL Media/ – Kristen Actis-Grande, vice president, finance for Ingersoll Rand’s Residential HVAC and Supply business was recognized as one of 130 recipients of The Manufacturing Institute’s 2017 Women in Manufacturing STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Ahead Award. The STEP Ahead Awards recognize women who demonstrate excellence and leadership in their careers and represent all levels of manufacturing, from the factory-floor to the C-suite.

Actis-Grande leads the financial operations for Ingersoll Rand’s Residential HVAC & Supply business, which includes leading brands such as Trane, American Standard, Ameristar and Nexia. As one of the youngest female vice presidents, she embodies Ingersoll Rand’s culture of continuous improvement that drives growth, creates value, fosters employee engagement and enhances quality to make the customer experience better.

Rooted in the belief that finance professionals must deliver insights that drive performance, a concept she has tested over time, Actis-Grande had been instrumental in influencing changes from product design and availability to marketing strategy that has impacted nearly every aspect of the business.

“Kristen is a role model for leadership at Ingersoll Rand and serves as an inspiration to young women considering careers in the science, technology, engineering and math fields,” said Gary Michel, senior vice president and president Residential HVAC & Supply, Ingersoll Rand. “Her ability to inspire others and engage them in aspects of STEM through manufacturing makes her a great ambassador for our industry. We are proud to recognize Kristen as a 2017 STEP Ahead Award honoree, and we congratulate all of the outstanding women recognized this year.”

The STEP Awards are part of the larger STEP Ahead initiative, launched to examine and promote the role of women in the manufacturing industry through recognition, research, and leadership for attracting, advancing, and retaining strong female talent. 

A recent survey from Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute found that 80 percent of American manufacturing companies have a moderate to severe shortage of available, qualified workers. Contributing to this gap is the underrepresentation of women in the industry. While women make up approximately 50 percent of the labor force, that number is only about 30 percent in the manufacturing labor force.

On April 20, winners of the STEP Ahead Award were recognized at a reception in Washington, D.C., where each honoree’s story was highlighted, including their leadership and accomplishments in manufacturing as well as their roles in the community. 

About Ingersoll Rand
Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) advances the quality of life by creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments. Our people and our family of brands — including Club Car^®, Ingersoll Rand^®, Thermo King^® and Trane^®— work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings; transport and protect food and perishables; and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. We are a $13 billion global business committed to a world of sustainable progress and enduring results. For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com.

About The Manufacturing Institute
The Manufacturing Institute (the Institute) is the 501(c)(3) affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. As a non-partisan organization, the Institute is committed to delivering leading-edge information and services to the nation's manufacturers. The Institute is the authority on the attraction, qualification and development of world-class manufacturing talent. For more information, please visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.

Tweet me:.@IngersollRand Finance Vice President Honored for Accomplishments in the Manufacturing Industry http://bit.ly/2q5HbOl

KEYWORDS: Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Diversity & Inclusion, Ingersoll Rand, Kristen Actis-Grande

SOURCE:21st Century Fox

DESCRIPTION:

As space exploration efforts around the world focus more and more on mounting a manned mission to Mars, Xploration Station’s latest #StudentAstronaut contest offers America’s top STEM students the chance to join the action. The contest, now in its third year, allows college students to compete for an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii to train for a journey to Mars alongside Xploration Outer Space host Emily Calandrelli. Students should apply by posting their video submissions to the Xploration Station Facebook page by Sunday, May 28. Xploration Station is a three-hour block of STEM programming for teens and their families airing weekend mornings primarily on Fox TV Stations in more than 100 million homes nationwide.

“Mars is the next major frontier for crewed space exploration,” said Calandrelli, who received a Daytime Emmy nomination this year for her work on Xploration Outer Space. “By centering this year’s contest around such an ambitious mission, we hope to really inspire and encourage those young people who will actually make it happen!”

The contest winner will travel to Hawaii and stay overnight at HI-SEAS (Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation), which replicates the experience of daily life on Mars. The winner will also operate rovers alongside the experts at PISCES (Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems) and the NASA Robotic Mining Competition Team Vulcan at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, as well as visit the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, located on the summit of Maunakea.

Students 18-years and older can submit to the contest by creating a video no longer than three minutes that answers why it is important to explore Mars, how this experience would help launch their careers in the space industry, and why they should be selected as the next Student Astronaut. Students should post these videos to the Xploration Station Facebook page with the hashtag #StudentAstronaut.

“Our Student Astronaut contest is one of my favorite things about this business,” said Steve Rotfeld, president of Steve Rotfeld Productions, which produces Xploration Station. “These kids are so incredibly impressive, it can’t help but make us optimistic about the future.”

This year’s #StudentAstronaut was announced on April 24, just one day after submissons closed for the first ever #StudentExplorer contest. The competition gave high school and college students the chance to accompany Philippe Cousteau Jr., grandson of legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau and host of Xploration Awesome Planet, on an underwater voyage to study whale sharks off the coast of Mexico.

Xploration Station comprises six series in total: Cousteau’s Xploration Awesome Planet, Calandrelli’s Xploration Outer Space, artist and futurist Chuck Pell’s Xploration Earth 2050, Youtube star Steve Spangler’s DIY Sci, marine biologist Danni Washington’s Nature Knows Best, and Weird but True, hosted by Charlie and Kirby Engleman, produced in partnership with Nat Geo Kids.

Keep reading at impact.21CF.com. 

Tweet me:Fox's @XplorStation launches 3rd #StudentAstronaut contest, where #STEM students train for #Mars travel: http://bit.ly/2q5M5e2 @21CF_Impact

KEYWORDS: Education, STEM, 21st century fox, fox, xploration station, emily calandrelli, philippe cousteau, students, Science, space exploration, Mars, #StudentAstronaut contest, astronaut, NASA

SOURCE:Northern Trust

DESCRIPTION:

Our Bangalore Audit Services team recently visited refuge homes managed by ‘U&I’ an NGO supported by Northern Trust. The team supplied toiletries for their homes and spent time playing with the children.

Follow Northern Trust on LinkedIN

Learn more about Corporate Responsibility at Northern Trust

Follow Northern Trust on Twitter

Tweet me:Bangalore Audit Services team visited refuge homes managed by ‘U&I’ an NGO supported by #NorthernTrust @NTCSR http://bit.ly/2onzEgz

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Bangalore Audit Services team, refuge, Northern Trust, csr

The Activation Hub at SB’17 Detroit will foster creative dialogue between attendees and brands including Ford, Amazon, Whirlpool and more

SOURCE:Sustainable Brands

DESCRIPTION:

SAN FRANCISCO, April 27, 2017 /3BL Media/– Sustainable Brands® is evolving the concept of the traditional conference expo into a collaborative environment packed with tools, solutions and breakthrough ideas to be generated on the spot by the attending crowd. The Activation Hub at SB’17 Detroit, running May 22-25th at the Cobo Center in Downtown Detroit, will bring together 2,000 insightful change makers, entrepreneurs and leading companies to collaborate on reshaping the global economy.

‘Redefining the Good Life’ is the focus of SB’17 Detroit. Pavilions inside the Activation Hub will feature company and product level brands that are committed to work toward transforming their market sectors in partnership with their stakeholders in ways that better support a changing view of the ‘Good Life’ of tomorrow.  

For the first time, formal content will be scheduled within the pavilions, including presentations on the front end of innovation by sector thought leaders. Additionally, Innovation Labs will run daily in each pavilion to tap the wisdom of the crowd for new design principles that brands can use to close the gap between shifting societal aspirations and the ways brands might profitably deliver to them. These facilitated discussions will be led by some of the top sustainable brand innovation consultancies, including BBMG, Futerra, Forum for the Future, SustainAbility, and others.

The Activation Hub pavilions for SB'17 Detroit include:

• Good Mobility, anchored by Ford Motor Company.
• Good Homes, anchored by Procter & Gamble.
• Good Food/Good Agriculture, anchored by Nestlé.
• Good Packaging, anchored by Amazon.
• Good Chemistry, anchored by The Dow Chemical Company.
• Good Supply Chain, Materials, and Technology, featuring Vinyl Business & Sustainability Council, Braskem, NSF International, BLab and others.​
• Good Retail, anchored by the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA).​
• Good Cities, anchored by BASF.​
• Good Logistics, anchored by UPS.​
• Good Energy, featuring Altenex - An Edison Energy Company, Natural Capital Partners and REC Solar.​
• Good Apparel, anchored by Timberland & Wrangler.

“We are excited that as we launch our second decade as a community, we are now in a place collectively where we can tap into extensive expertise we have in the room to help accelerate the transition to a cleaner, healthier economy around the world.” states KoAnn Vikoren Skrzyniarz, Founder of Sustainable Brands. “By bringing leading brands, visionary nonprofits and disruptive innovators — all of whom are part of the SB community — together in one place to explore the tools on display, devise new ideas and ideate on what might come next, the Activation Hub will become an accelerator of the good economy and the ‘Good Life’ of the future.”

The Activation Hub at SB’17 Detroit will run Monday, May 22nd^nd through Thursday, May 25^th at the Cobo Center in Downtown Detroit. Passes for the Activation Hub can be purchased on the registration page at www.sb17detroit.com. Registration is now open.

For more information about the Activation Hub and for companies with breakthrough ideas, tools and technologies that support business success in sustainability, email engage@sustainablebrands.com or call 415.626.2212.

About Sustainable Brands
Sustainable Brands^® is the premier global community of brand innovators who are shaping the future of commerce worldwide. Since 2006, our mission has been to inspire, engage and equip today’s business and brand leaders to prosper for the near and long term by leading the way to a better future. Digitally published news articles and issues-focused conversation topics, internationally known conferences and regional events, a robust e-learning library and peer-to-peer membership groups all facilitate community learning and engagement throughout the year. Sustainable Brands is hosted by Sustainable Brands Worldwide, a division of Sustainable Life Media headquartered in San Francisco, CA.

Tweet me:Innovative Model for Conference Collaboration to be Unveiled by @SustainBrands at #SB17Detroit: http://bit.ly/2qbfL9H.

KEYWORDS: Events, Media & Communications, Sustainable Development, Activation Hub, SB'17 Detroit, Sustainable Brands 2017, Innovation, entrepreneurship, collaboration, Parnterships

SOURCE:Common Impact

DESCRIPTION:

It has been an exciting and inspirational volunteer week here at Common Impact! We've had active discussions around how skills-based volunteering activates civic engagement and have shared insightful impact stories from our nonprofit partners.

Has the National Volunteer Week buzz sparked some ideas for skills-based projects, but you aren't sure where to start? Check out our Pro Bono Calculator, a step-by-step tool that quantifies the value and investment of utilizing pro bono support for your organization and your project.

Who’s it for?

• Nonprofit executives who need to understand the value of a pro bono project
• Nonprofit Boards of Directors who are helping to guide a strategic planning process
• Corporate CSR and Foundation professionals who manage their company’s nonprofit partnerships

Ready to get started?  Download our Pro Bono Value Calculator now and let us know what you think!

Have questions or need help?  Reach out to us at info@commonimpact.org.

Tweet me:Looking to start an SBV project, but not sure how to quantify the value? Check out @CommonImpact #probono calc http://bit.ly/2m6GUIk #NVW

KEYWORDS: Social Impact & Volunteering, Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

SOURCE:Delos

DESCRIPTION:

NEW YORK, April 27, 2017/3BL Media/ – Delos™, a wellness real estate and technology firm, today announces a strategic investment and collaboration with Naava, a Finnish health technology firm that specializes in the development of smart active green walls, further exemplifying Delos’ mission to transform indoor environments into spaces that promote human health and well-being. The strategic relationship with Naava demonstrates Delos’ commitment to curate and accelerate the use of innovative products that may positively impact human health and wellness in the built environment.

Delos has identified the use of Naava smart green wall technology as a mechanism to address numerous aspects of human health and wellness within the built environment, notably the implementation of biophilic design elements and observed improvements in indoor air quality. Leveraging research performed by NASA, Naava smart green walls actively draw air through the root zone of the plant, reducing harmful organic compounds often found in indoor air. Naava focuses on the development and installation of modular systems which may be readily placed in occupied areas, maximizing the impact on humans throughout an indoor space.

“We are excited about the potential that our investment in Naava will have on the future of the built environment, and we look forward to introducing their smart green wall technology in the United States market,” said Paul Scialla, founder and CEO of Delos. “Naava green walls are a visual statement that an organization is embracing health and wellness within the built environment from both a biophilic design and indoor air quality improvement standpoint.”

Building upon over 1,000 smart green wall installations throughout the Nordics, one of the first installations of Naava products within the United States will be at Delos’ new Manhattan office at 860 Washington Street in the Meatpacking District, which will feature 24 green walls throughout the 21,000 square-foot space. Slated to be complete this summer, the office will serve as a showroom for Delos clients who are interested in learning about the technology, customization and implementation opportunities for current and future real estate projects.

“In the modern world we spend approximately 90% of our time indoors, where we may breathe contaminated air and are often disconnected from nature and its benefits. We at Naava are reconnecting humanity with nature, by embracing millions of years of natural innovation with latest technologies and Scandinavian design. Our vision is that by 2025, one billion people can choose to breathe Nordic forest air, everyday, everywhere. For the last five years, we've been working on our unique Naava smart active green wall technology. Now with the help of Delos, we can bring nature and fresh natural air inside offices, schools and homes in the USA,“ said Aki Soudunsaari, co-founder and CEO of Naava.

In order to vet the Naava technology during the due diligence process, Delos engaged world renowned testing lab BRE to perform an impartial set of single pass efficiency tests of the Naava smart green wall. To develop the rigorous test protocol employed by BRE and in an effort to provide an independent assessment of the technology, Delos received the consultative expertise of advisors from Australia’s University of Technology Sydney, Plants and Environmental Quality Research Group.

“The Naava system represents an innovative approach to green wall technology, combining a range of best practice techniques derived from scientific studies around the world, and we were not at all surprised to discover that it had exceptional pollutant removal capacity,” said Dr. Fraser Torpy, director of the Plants and Environmental Quality Research Group and professor at the University of Technology Sydney. “With the backing of Delos, this system has the potential to revolutionize the way we perceive indoor environmental quality. We feel privileged to be involved with research of this caliber, and strongly believe that this is a benchmark example of science and business working together towards making a more sustainable urban environment.”

Delos is the lead investor in Naava’s most recent round of financing for which the majority of funds raised will be utilized for entry and subsequent expansion in the United States. Naava is currently establishing manufacturing and assembly roots in New Jersey and is slated to be at full production capacity by May 2017. Delos will continue to support Naava’s entry and expansion into the United States by acting as a commercial advisor and strategic collaborator. Additionally, Delos will continue to educate its clients, its employees, and the public at large on the benefits of active green wall technologies and the impact they may have on human health and wellness from a biophilic design and indoor air quality perspective.

Delos intends to further collaborate with Naava on the development of study protocols which may continue to qualify and quantify the efficacy of the Naava smart green wall against various airborne contaminants found within the built environment. Furthermore, Delos intends to work with Naava to identify potential research opportunities related to the effect active green wall installations may have on the indoor microbiome and potential human health and wellness outcomes that may be derived from such installations.

About Delos™
As the pioneer of Wellness Real Estate™, Delos is transforming our homes, offices, schools, and other indoor environments by placing health and wellness at the center of design and construction decisions. Delos helps create spaces that actively contribute to human health, performance and wellness by marrying the best innovations in technology, health, science, and real estate. The Delos platform includes programming, design, consulting, research, and an array of innovative solutions and technologies designed to improve health and wellness. More information on Delos is available at www.delos.com.

About Naava
Naava is a Nordic health technology company whose smart active green wall innovation brings fresh forest air and nature indoors. The company was founded in 2011 to reconnect humanity with nature. Naava employs over 60 professionals in Finland, Sweden and New York and New Jersey, USA and has installed over 1,000 smart green walls within corporate and residential settings throughout the Nordics. All its products combine millions of years of natural innovation with latest technologies and modern Scandinavian design. Naavas are made in Finland and the USA. By 2025, Naava aims to provide a billion people the chance to breathe nature’s air and experience nature indoors. www.naava.io

Press Contacts:
Callie Stanton, Delos
646.654.3438
cstanton@nikecomm.com

Päivi Vuolle, Naava
+358 505354899
paivi.vuolle@naava.io

Tweet me:.@DelosLiving + #Finnish #SmartGreenWall Co @BreatheNaava, Introduce Cutting Edge #Tech to US http://bit.ly/2o3XBtd #builtenvironment

KEYWORDS: Innovation & Technology, Green Infrastructure, Delos, Naava, built environment, ministry of environment, finland

Family-friendly walk or run pays tribute to cancer survivors

SOURCE:LIVESTRONG

DESCRIPTION:

AUSTIN, Texas, April 27, 2017 /3BL Media/ – In celebration of its 20^th Anniversary, the LIVESTRONG Foundation – a global leader and pioneer in cancer patient survivorship – announced today the launch of The LIVESTRONG Honor 5k/10k, which will take place on September 17 in downtown Austin. Participants are encouraged to wear commemorative bibs featuring the name of a “Cancer Warrior” in honor of the brave, inspiring survivors of the life-threatening disease.

“All of us have been touched by cancer in one way or another, and we hear every day the powerful stories of cancer survivors and their families,” LIVESTRONG President, Greg Lee said. “We created the LIVESTRONG Honor 5k/10k for all of us to share the names, faces and stories of people we love who have been in the fight. It is sure to be a meaningful, emotion-filled day of celebration, hope and remembrance.”

The event includes a “Brunch & Run” package that gives participants the opportunity to enjoy several of Austin and San Antonio’s best food trucks at the finish line festival, including Burro Cheese Kitchen, Gourdough’s and Rock on Wheels.

Join LIVESTRONG and thousands of friends and family in the cancer community, for this special event on September 17. Visit https://www.LIVESTRONG5k10k.org/ for more information and to sign up.

About the LIVESTRONG Foundation

The LIVESTRONG Foundation fights to improve the lives of people affected by cancer now. For 20 years, LIVESTRONG has been a voice for cancer survivors and has directly served more than 3.5 million people. A pioneer in the field of survivorship, LIVESTRONG remains a world leader in providing direct services to cancer patients and survivors, advocating for policies that enhance survivors’ quality of life and developing partnerships that create access to cancer programs across the country.

Since 2007, the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program has made a return to fitness and wellbeing possible for more than 45,000 survivors in more than 585 YMCA locations across America. Working with The University of Texas’ Dell Medical School, LIVESTRONG is building the LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes to reinvent and redesign cancer care for and with people affected by cancer.

Please visit LIVESTRONG.org/WeCanHelp to help anyone who is suffering from cancer and its effects. For more information about our programs and services, please visit LIVESTRONG.org.

Tweet me:LIVESTRONG Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Launch of Honor 5K/10K http://bit.ly/2qbFFde

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Health & Healthcare, LIVESTRONG, LIVESTRONG Honor 5k/10k