Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Environment

Poisonous Waters: Neela Banerjee on Fracking

Nov 28, 2017 6:15 PM ET

During the 2016 presidential race, many environmentalists found it disheartening that Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump actually seemed to agree on the expansion of fracking in the US. Some of us were wondering if the fight had been lost. That's why it's so encouraging to see good journalism persisting in the face of general indifference. This week on Sea Change Radio, we speak to Neela Banerjee of Inside Climate News, who recently wrote an article chronicling the travails of one small, vulnerable western Pennsylvania family. Her piece also brought to light why one government contractor was reluctant to attach its name to an EPA report that downplayed the risks of fracking. We discuss how irresponsible policy can lead to devastating consequences for real people.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Piedmont Natural Gas Invites Community to ‘Share the Warmth’ on #GivingTuesday

Nov 28, 2017 5:45 PM ET

Piedmont Natural Gas will participate in Giving Tuesday Nov. 28 by inviting its customers to support Share the Warmth, a Piedmont Natural Gas program that helps families in need stay warm when they can’t pay their energy bills.

To encourage the act of giving and sharing warmth with our neighbors, Piedmont is distributing symbolic orange scarves to its community partners, asking them to support Share the Warmth by posting selfies with the scarves on social media using the hashtag #PNGSharetheWarmth.

Research, Reports & Publications

See How Sappi Measured Success in 2016

Nov 28, 2017 4:05 PM ET

Our pulp and paper products are derived from renewable resources, made with high levels of renewable energy, and are designed to be reused or recycled. While it is difficult to identify a more sustainable industry than forest products, not all companies perform equally when it comes to operating safely and sustainably.

Education

6 Things For-Profit and Nonprofit Startups Can Learn From Each Other

Nov 28, 2017 3:45 PM ET

At AT&T, we believe great ideas can come from anywhere and impact kids and communities everywhere. That’s why we designed the AT&T Aspire Accelerator to support startups across the country, both for-profit and nonprofit organizations.

Innovation & Technology

How Technology Can Empower At-Risk Students Before It’s Too Late

Nov 28, 2017 3:05 PM ET

An overarching theme of the recent Dreamforce conference in San Francisco is that cloud computing can be harnessed to accelerate social good.

One of the fields in which technology can make a huge difference is in education, from pre-school to technical education.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Nespresso Announces Investment in Post-Conflict Colombian Coffee

Nov 28, 2017 3:00 PM ET

espresso today announced it will expand its coffee-sourcing programme for the first time into several former conflict zones as part of a USD 50 million investment in sustainable high-quality coffee cultivation in Colombia.

President Juan Manuel Santos addressed the Nespresso Sustainability Advisory Board where he welcomed the company’s commitment. He cited the investment as an important contribution to the development of post-conflict areas.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Be #ThankFULL This #GivingTuesday and Support Feeding America

Nov 28, 2017 2:25 PM ET

Giving the perfect gift is hard. Gifts are stressful, both for the giver and the receiver; it’s hard to know exactly what someone will want. But a donation to Feeding America is the perfect solution.

Responsible Production & Consumption

How to Deal with a Major System Disruption in a Meat Processing Facility

Nov 28, 2017 2:05 PM ET

Any comprehensive food production process relies on control programs to ensure food safety and quality. Major interruptions to these processes and programs may cause large economic losses to the producer as well as risks to consumers.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

This #GivingTuesday Be a CUREsader

Nov 28, 2017 1:15 PM ET

Today, and every single day, 43 families will hear the devastating news that no parent should hear: their child has cancer. At CureSearch, it is our goal to protect the future of those children diagnosed with cancer by delivering better, less-toxic treatments NOW.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wells Fargo Launches Holiday Food Bank Program With $5 Million Donation to United Way, and Commitment of 5,000 Volunteer Hours During the Holidays

Nov 28, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Wells Fargo today announced the launch of the Wells Fargo Holiday Food Bank program to make more meals possible in communities this holiday season. Working with United Way Worldwide to create a long-term, high impact program that will support hunger-related causes in our local communities, Wells Fargo donated an additional $5 million grant to the United Way in support of this effort.

Green Infrastructure

Kia Motors Makes Second Annual Co-Sponsorship Contribution to The Ray on Giving Tuesday

Nov 28, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) delivered a significant financial contribution to The Ray, Georgia’s living laboratory for transportation technology on Interstate 85, on Giving Tuesday. The $26,000 gift is the second installment of a three-year commitment for the WheelRight® tire safety station, installed in December of 2016 at the Georgia Visitor Information Center on The Ray at mile marker one.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Giving Tuesday: Dell Team Members Make a Difference in Puerto Rico

Nov 28, 2017 12:15 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

ASPCA Hosts Its First Giving Hope Facebook Live-a-Thon on Giving Tuesday to Raise Critical Funds for Animals in Need

Nov 28, 2017 11:45 AM ET

On Giving Tuesday, November 28, beginning at 9 a.m., the ASPCA is hosting its first-ever ASPCA Giving Hope Facebook Live-a-thon on the ASPCA’s Facebook page. Special guests include actress Edie Falco, Mother of Dogs founder Allie Rizzo, as well as Travis Brorsen, host of Animal Planet’s My Big Fat Pet Makeover, Dan Schachner, America's favorite Animal Planet Puppy Bowl "Rufferee," and Jill Rappaport, an award-winning animal advocate and host of Animal Planet’s first-ever, Puppy Bowl Presents: The Dog Bowl. Influencers and senior pet advocates Chloe Kardoggian and Mervin the Chihuahua will also join the event.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Gifts of Energy an Ideal Way to Help Others on Giving Tuesday

Nov 28, 2017 11:30 AM ET

Gifts of Energy from Consumers Energy offer a convenient solution for those who want to help others this Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday (#GivingTuesday) is a global day where people are encouraged to donate time, goods or their voice in order to assist those in need.

Environment

Ecocentricity Blog: Pride vs. Guilt

Nov 28, 2017 11:30 AM ET

Perhaps you’ve started shopping at your local farmers market weekly. Maybe you’ve replaced your incandescent lightbulbs with LEDs. You might have started paying a bit extra for the organic strawberries instead of the regular ones. How should you feel?

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

It's Giving Tuesday! - Best Buy's Open Giving Format Encourages Employee Giving

Nov 28, 2017 11:25 AM ET

Best Buy’s 12,000 employees are enjoying the retailer’s new employee giving program that matches 40 per cent of their donations to registered Canadian charities. The retailer’s new open giving program, called ‘myGiving’ launched in June.

“We’ve had lots of really great feedback,” says Karen Arsenault, Manager, Community Relations at Best Buy Canada Ltd. “People are excited about the program because they often have personal connections to charities and want to give back, whether it’s in support of a family member that has gone through cancer or helping a friend participating in a run or a ride in support of a specific charity.”

The program uses a simple online tool that makes giving to charities that “are near and dear to our employees’ hearts” really easy.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

AIDA Sends SOS Children’s Village Charity Check on Its Travels

Nov 28, 2017 11:00 AM ET

For more than ten years AIDA Cruises has already been supporting the work of SOS Children’s Village (SOS-Kinderdorf) in worldwide projects for disadvantaged children. Revenue from the sales of the book “CREATIVE – Fold the most beautiful hand towel animals” in which the cruise provider has collected ideas for artfully folded zoo creatures, is also benefiting children and adolescents. On board AIDAprima, the crew under Director Hotel & Guest Services Marc Spingler have sent a charity check for the proud sum of 6,000 euros on its journey to the Iloilo SOS Children’s Village in the southeast of the Philippine island of Panay.

Responsible Production & Consumption

New Social and Labor Convergence Process Public Effort: Falling in Love With the Problem Could Bring Significant Change for Workers

Nov 28, 2017 11:00 AM ET

For decades, almost all major brands – and now, almost every brand -- have subscribed to one or another factory social/labor compliance monitoring program. Timberland, for example, first launched its Code of Conduct in 1994. At first glance, this is good news as brands increasingly recognize their role to ensure that their factory partners promote worker safety and treat all workers with dignity and respect. Yet after decades of having these programs in place we have not yet fully moved the needle to protect workers’ rights.

Media & Communications

Michael Bloomberg on the Timeliness of His Coal Industry Doc 'From the Ashes'

Nov 28, 2017 10:50 AM ET

President Trump ran on a campaign that promised to bring the coal industry back in America. But to billionaire mogul, former New York City mayor and philanthropist Michael Bloomberg, that’s an empty promise given that long before climate change activists began railing against it, the industry was on a downward trajectory because of technology and cheaper alternatives like natural gas. In 2015, the founder of the privately-held Bloomberg L.P. asked top lieutenant Katherine Oliver to back a film that could explain the issue from both sides — the workers displaced when coal plants close and the health costs of the polluting industry when they remain open. The result is Michael Bonfiglio’s From the Ashes, one of the environmental-themed contenders in this year’s Oscar documentary feature race.

Environment

Climate Change Facts & Resources for All

Nov 28, 2017 10:35 AM ET

Antea Group talks about what some businesses are doing and what resources are available for you in the combat against climate change. Climate change poses one of the greatest challenges to the continued prosperity of businesses, communities, and ecosystems around the world.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

On #GivingTuesday Give the Gift of Sight

Nov 28, 2017 10:30 AM ET

This #GivingTuesday Orbis encourages supporters to give the gift of sight by participating in our matching challenge. One of our generous donors has agreed to match all #GivingTuesday donations up to $25,000. Funds will support our vision restoring work in places like Bangladesh, where four-year-old Halima had two cataracts removed by an Orbis-trained surgeon.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

#GivingTuesday the JetBlue Way

Nov 28, 2017 10:15 AM ET

JetBlue is celebrating November (aka Philanthrophy Month) as JetBlue For Good Month. Service is part of our DNA at JetBlue. JetBlue For Good Month celebrates all the ways we give back year-round. Earlier this month, we asked our customers to "Check-In For Good." In honor of #GivingTuesday, the international day of giving kicking off the holiday season, we’re offering even more opportunities for customers and crewmembers to get on board to bring our mission of Inspiring Humanity® to life.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Impact at Work: Center for Transforming Lives

Nov 28, 2017 10:15 AM ET

On Giving Tuesday, we’re highlighting a project with a talented team from Fidelity Investments and its nonprofit partner, The Center for Transforming Lives (CTL). CTL has provided safe housing, early childhood education, and financial empowerment services for economically disadvantaged women and children in the Texas community for over 100 years. CTL impacted 3,814 women, children, and families in fiscal year 2016 alone; however, the organization’s previous website failed to lift up their vast impact. The site was static, outdated, and challenging for staff to maintain. To better showcase their impact on the community, CTL partnered with a team of technologists from Fidelity Investments to build a new, user-friendly website on the Wix platform.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Build a Team — Be a Hero. Support GKTW on #GivingTuesday

Nov 28, 2017 10:10 AM ET

#GivingTuesday is November 28th, and we have something super in store for 2017’s global day of giving. This year, we’ll harness the power of our GKTW Family and social media to make our greatest impact to date.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Aflac Employees Lay the Groundwork for a Better Tomorrow

Nov 28, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Since 2007, more than 2,100 members of Aflac’s Columbus, Georgia, team have strapped on hardhats and tool belts with Habitat for Humanity. The program is so popular that Aflac holds lotteries to determine which employees will get the chance to participate. This year, 175 employees built Aflac’s 11th Habitat house, to the great delight of resident Marion Dantzler. Meanwhile, 50 employees at Aflac’s Columbia, South Carolina, location worked alongside new Habitat for Humanity homeowners during a five-day renovation project, completing the team’s second home construction.