Alcoa announced that 15 of its employees will assist in scientific field research expeditions around the world this year through a partnership with Earthwatch Institute.
Earthwatch is the global volunteer organization that works toward a sustainable environment by engaging people in research, conservation and education programs. The Alcoa fellows will be participating in Earthwatch expeditions that focus primarily on climate change, global water supply and sustainability – issues of great importance to the company.
The selected employees work at Alcoa locations around the world, from
“I learned so many things on so many different levels,” said Keith Williams, a 2007 Alcoa Earthwatch fellow from
The 2008 Alcoa Earthwatch fellows and their research expeditions are:
The Earthwatch fellowships give Alcoa employees an opportunity to get involved personally and to share their findings in the communities in which they work and live. During their expeditions, each fellow publishes a diary of his or her experiences, along with photographs, on www.alcoa.com/earthwatch.
“Alcoa continues to take a leadership role in addressing globally important environmental issues,” said Rob Bear, Alcoa’s director of environmental affairs. “Our partnership with Earthwatch gives our employees the opportunity to see firsthand the science of understanding environmental conditions and the connection to Alcoa’s strategic programs. These employees then promote Alcoa's environmental leadership to their colleagues and communities upon their return.”
The Alcoa Earthwatch Fellows nominate themselves and are selected on merit by a team of judges from Alcoa and Earthwatch Institute. All travel and accommodation costs are covered, and the fellows use their available vacation time to participate on projects for up to two weeks under the guidance of leading environmental scientists. Alcoa provides a grant to Earthwatch to support the research projects in which employees are participating.
Alcoa, a long-time proponent of preserving the environment and combating harmful effects of various pollutants, reflects its commitment in its values. Recent company initiatives include reducing landfilled waste by more than 50 percent between 2000 and 2007 and worldwide direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from managed facilities by 33 percent from 1990 to 2007.
A founding member of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP) — the goal of which is to encourage government/policy change that would require significant reduction in GHGs — Alcoa is also a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and was named one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World for the fourth year in a row at this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Alcoa is also a member of the Global Roundtable on Climate Change (GROCC), working with other companies to affect environmental change in industry.
About Earthwatch Institute
Earthwatch Institute is a global volunteer organization that supports scientific research by offering members of the public unique opportunities to work alongside leading field scientists and researchers. Founded in 1971, Earthwatch’s mission is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. More information can be found at www.earthwatch.org.