INTRODUCING EMPLOYEES TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY
To achieve its goal the fellowship experience has two core components: immersive hands-on field research, and sustainable action implemented back in the workplace and community. During their days the team works with leading scientists to collect critical data to understand how the changing climate is reshaping the local ecosystem. Employees have helped study factors including changes in treeline, biodiversity, endangered vegetation, and wetland water quality. Employees have provided essential assistance to 50 Earthwatch research projects in 30 countries and contributed over 14,000 field research hours. In addition to serving as research assistants, the employees also participate in facilitated learning sessions to expand their knowledge of how sustainability relates to Alcoa as a company and their home community. Upon conclusion of the expedition, the employees present to their Alcoa office, create a sustainability project to implement in their workplace, and organize a volunteering event in partnership with a local organization.
“Achieving a more sustainable world requires participation at every level, from large sweeping actions of many to meaningful individual actions. My favorite part about our partnership with Earthwatch is seeing how our creative employees implement their learnings in their communities upon their return, creating a ripple effect of change, hopefully for years to come.”
—Rosa Garcia Pineiro, Alcoa VP, Sustainability and Alcoa Foundation President
For more information, visit https://www.alcoa.com/foundation/en/partnerships-programs/earthwatch-fellowship-program.asp and follow @AlcoaFoundation on Twitter
Alcoa Foundation, provides grants that contribute to environmental excellence around the world, particularly in areas of biodiversity conservation and climate change research. The Alcoa Foundation invests where Alcoa Corporation, the world’s leading producer of primary and fabricated aluminum has a presence. The work of Alcoa Foundation is further enhanced by Alcoa’s thousands of employee volunteers who share their talents and time to make a difference in the communities where Alcoa operates.