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HOK Employees To ‘Go Barefoot’ On Earth Day |
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Written by Camille Chami
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Wednesday, 02 April 2008 |
Architectural Design Firm, featured on Archinnovations for its Wild Center/Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks , Challenges its People, Clients and Communities to Reduce their Carbon Footprint on April 22.
This Earth Day, more than 2,500 HOK employees on four continents are being challenged to “Go Barefoot” by taking a tangible step toward reducing their carbon footprint. The architectural design firm is asking its people to alter their transportation, travel and work habits on April 22, to contribute to reducing the firm’s collective environmental impact.
HOK’s “Go Barefoot Day” initiative supports the firm’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions from its projects and practice by 50 percent by 2010. This goal reflects United Nations reports that recognize the role buildings play in contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
“We are using Earth Day as a catalyst for making simple behavioral
changes that will have a profound impact on our collective carbon
footprint,” says HOK Sustainable Design Director Mary Ann Lazarus.
“After making this single-day commitment, we hope our people are
inspired to make permanent, positive changes to their travel and work
habits.”
Through a series of online surveys, HOK employees worldwide are
reporting their current transportation and office practices and
committing to make specific changes on April 22 that will reduce their
environmental footprint. These changes may range from taking public
transportation or biking to work, to eliminating paper usage, to
reducing use of disposable packaging. After Earth Day, the firm will
measure the tangible collective impact of the initiative.
HOK has developed a “Barefoot blog” and educational poster to help
employees identify, evaluate and share potential opportunities for
modifying their behavior beyond the norm. These resources include
examples of specific actions and their corresponding annual
environmental impact.
“By quantifying the impact of simple behavioral changes, we can
demonstrate how individuals can contribute to a significant reduction
in carbon emissions,” Lazarus says. “The blog will connect our people
around the world and enable them to share their ideas, experiences and
successes.”
As part of the initiative, HOK also is inviting its clients, partners
and local communities to join the firm in going barefoot for the day.
“We hope ‘Go Barefoot Day’ builds momentum beyond the walls of HOK and
inspires our clients and communities to walk alongside us,” Lazarus
says.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 02 April 2008 )
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