As I interact with the heads of corporate sustainability for Fortune 500 companies on a daily basis. What is fundamental to these conversations, as well as to my regular conversations with the responsible investing community, is the increasing desire for companies to better understand the broader environmental and social impacts they are having, both positive and negative.

Channel 2 WSB-TV and The Trust for Public Land are recognizing volunteers who are creating, preserving or enhancing Atlanta’s outdoor spaces. Chris Beck, Linda Cotten Taylor and Pauline Drake have been selected as finalists for Atlanta’s 2016 Cox Conserves Heroes program, and the public is being asked to vote now through Oct. 26 at wsbtv.com/coxconservesheroes.

After a short break to Pleaides activities due to summer holidays, Atlas Copco Turkey women employees and Professional Women Network met for September activity which hosted Erdem Aksakal, a white collar/writer, as the speaker.

Hydropower is generally less expensive per kilowatt-hour than wind or solar energy, and the untapped potential of many dams and waterways means there’s much more electricity to be had.

As National Manufacturing Day approaches this week, Whirlpool Corporation will mark the occasion with a month-long series of events to highlight the importance of American manufacturing.

Space travel is a popular topic in science and in film. “The Martian,” starring Matt Damon, saw the main character use his skills as a botanist to grow food and survive on the planet. Such a feat may seem like Hollywood hype, but scientists at NASA, with help from Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life Services, are working together to make growing food on Mars a reality.

The Arby’s Foundation will partner with TEGNA Inc and Points of Light for Make A Difference Day on Saturday, October 22. Make A Difference Day is one of the largest annual single-days of service nationwide.

Despite the ongoing conflict, South Sudanese coffee farmers are making progress in reviving the country’s coffee industry.