Earth Charter
The University of Tampa hosted the Earth Charter Climate Change Community Summit on Oct. 11, 2008, bringing together people in cities around the world to help make the Earth Charter's principles for sustainability a reality.
Earth Charter U.S., a volunteer community-building organization based in Tampa, organized the summit. The program highlighted initiatives in business, education and government from more than 50 locations throughout the world.
Highlights of the summit included:
- A speech by Alexander Likhotal, president and CEO of Green Cross International and advisor to Mikhail Gorbachev, founder of Green Cross.
- A “Webcast Global Round-Robin” in which representatives from cities around the world gave two-minute presentations via satellite hookup about their cities’ efforts to combat global climate change.
- Earth Scouts, a scouting program for children ages 3-13. The program featured children’s hands-on activities in human rights, respect for nature, economic justice and a culture of peace. For more information, go to www.earthscouts.org.
President Ronald L. Vaughn, on behalf of UT, received an award of appreciation from Earth Charter U.S. for hosting the event.
In 2001, UT helped launch Earth Charter U.S., which was striving to create a national movement focusing on sustainability. Its initiatives were broadcast via satellite from UT to 12 U.S. cities. For more information about Earth Charter U.S., visit www.earthcharterus.org.
Sustainable Business Awards Luncheon
To kickoff the summit, UT also hosted the premiere Sustainable Business Awards on Friday, Oct. 10, 2008. Developed by Earth Charter U.S., the Sustainable Business Awards recognized 15 Bay Area businesses in three different categories whose efforts have demonstrated sustainable business practices that embrace social, economic and environmental responsibility. In addition, the event served as the initial step in the formation of an Earth Charter Sustainable Business Coalition. The Coalition, comprised of top executives and corporate officers, will help to shape Tampa Bay’s sustainable economy.
The 16 awardees were:
Large Business Category, 251 or more employees:
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Fowler White Boggs Banker P.A.
Mosaic
Sirata Beach Resort
TECO Energy Inc.
Medium Business Category, 51 to 250 employees:
Beck Group
Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum Inc. (HOK)
MLI Integrated Graphic Solutions
St. Pete Times Forum and The Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Rays
Small Business Category, 50 or fewer employees:
Carastro & Associates
Green Earth Group
Kaleisia Tea Lounge
Kessler Consulting Inc.
OceanGrown Inc.
Flush Puppies, a new Tampa business, received the Sustainable Entrepreneur award.
On Feb. 19, 2010, the new Sustainable Business Award winners were announced.