This year is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and the theme is climate action. The first Earth Day in 1970 saw millions of people take to the streets to demand protection of our planet. This momentous event is often credited with launching the modern global environmental movement. Fifty years later, we find ourselves facing one of the most pressing issues of our time, the rapid warming of the planet. At Lam, we are taking the challenge seriously by setting our own greenhouse gas emissions goals, investing in energy efficiency, and encouraging our employees to take action.
One way that we are increasing awareness within our company is by participating in Ecochallenge.org’s Earth Month EcoChallenge, a 30-day online program designed to encourage and support adoption of sustainable practices. We all know that new habits don’t form overnight. They take practice, time, and an intentional approach. The program’s platform offers the structure and motivation to identify opportunities at work or at home that could have a positive impact on the environment, our communities, and ourselves.
As participants, our employees can choose from a variety of actions such as educating themselves on climate change, eating less meat, or going plastic-free. Two weeks into the challenge, our team has made great progress, even as many employees are under ‘stay at home’ requirements. Participants have eaten up to 225 vegetarian or vegan meals, replaced up to 49 light bulbs with LEDs, and saved up to 1,294 gallons of water. We are excited to see how our team continues to make progress with their individual commitments that add up to a significant collective impact.
We recognize that business plays a critical role in addressing climate change and that we have a unique opportunity to engage our employees in the discussion. Through programs such as EcoChallenge we emphasize that every action contributes to a positive collective impact and a sustainable future for all.
