Do you remember when the only ones who used to be really concerned about the environment were the Environment chair and a few fanatic activists? Thank heavens those days are gone! All over the world, more and more people from all walks of life are realizing the tremendous strains we are putting on our planet and the necessity of stopping - even reversing - the trend. Every organization has a responsibility to do what they can to operate in a more environmentally responsible manner and while there is much that we do not yet know how to change, there are many other things that are well within our grasp to change today. FAWCO is proud to announce that an important planning goal of the 2009 Conference in Vilnius is to be "Climate Friendly"! Sounds good...but what does it mean?
Based on 150 attendees in Vilnius, a rough estimate of 175,000 Kg of CO2 waste will be produced by the Conference due to air travel, food service waste and other waste! While some of this is unavoidable, (walking to Vilnius isn't really an option) much can be done to eliminate waste in other areas. The Climate Friendly Conference Committee (with 8 Conference planning and FAWCO Committee chairs) started evaluating the Conference to see where environmental improvements could be made. Under the slogan of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle a number of recommendations were made to the Board and they are striving to stick to the aims of the committee when making decisions. What will be different/environmentally better?
• The Conference Venue (Reval hotel, Vilnius) has a "Green Key", the eco label that has been awarded to hotels taking extra care of environment and nature in their daily operations (i.e. rational use of water, heat and electric energy; reduced consumption of environmentally hazardous and harmful chemicals; pre-sorting of waste and reduction of waste volume; use of eco-friendly materials and products; use of eco-labeled products or products made of recycled materials; preference for local foods and use of economic equipment produced by environmentally friendly technology).
• Water will be offered in pitchers with glasses rather than in disposable plastic bottles and condiments and other beverages will be provided in non-disposable containers. Snacks that are not individually packaged will be provided. There will be well marked and visible recycling bins placed in well traveled areas in the conference spaces.
• The amount of paper used at the Conference will be greatly reduced and printing will take place double-sided on recycled paper with vegetable ink. The Conference manual will be posted online instead of completely printed out and a condensed manual will be used by participants during the conference. The mailboxes have been eliminated and minutes, etc will be handed out at the door to general session room. Information given at Conference workshops will be uploaded onto the website and conference speakers are being asked to limit their handouts to one sheet of the important points or references to their website.
• A €25 Carbon Credit has been added as an optional fee. Attendees will be encouraged to pay this amount as part of their registration. This money will be donated to a carbon reduction project, our very own FAWCO Millennium Forest in Morocco and organized by the AIWC of Casablanca. (While planting trees is just one of the things that can be done to help stop global warming, it has many advantages. Trees absorb CO² and store the carbon in their tissues, and exhale oxygen. In one year, an average tree inhales 12 kilograms (26 pounds) of CO2 and exhales enough oxygen for a family of four for a year. Most scientists agree that the least expensive and perhaps easiest way for individuals to help offset the CO2 that they generate in their everyday lives is to plant a tree...any tree, as long as it is appropriate for the given region and climate.) This €25 donation will not balance 100% of the CO2 waste created by it will be a HUGE step in that direction. Tree planting greeting cards will also be offered for sale at the conference to further reduce the carbon effects.
• There are also a number of things that conference attendees can do to make their participation in the Conference as climate friendly as possible. Bringing their paper, pencils and pens so those things will not have to be provided. Towels and linens in the hotel can be reused by guests. Recycle EVERYTHING possible. Conference attendees should fly as directly as possible and carpool or use public transportation to get from the airport to the hotel and do the same to go anywhere during the Conference. While a tote bag will be provided by one of our sponsors - Clements International - they have "gone green" and will provide bags made of environmentally friendly materials.
While FAWCO is trying to set a good example and lead the way towards more responsible environmental behavior, it is up to each of us to "think environmentally". We must all realize that with a bit of adapting, we can work miracles and meet this important challenge. Please do your part and do all you can to help...our planet is counting on you!
Anne van Oorschot & Kris Colluro Smith - FAWCO Environment co-chairs
January 2009
