Greening the ASA: Social Responsibility
and the Environment
The pressures on the planet are growing enormously; climate change, water scarcity, and population growth. Consumers and citizens think the problems are beyond the capacity of the government alone to solve. Global warming as become a world-wide concern that is affecting us all. The ASA is taking an active role in reducing its environmental impact on the host cities of the Annual Meeting as well as taking steps to make the Association as a whole more eco-friendly. The Meeting Services staff of the ASA aim to follow the guidelines set forth by the Convention Industry Council. The Convention Industry Council (CIC) represents more than 103,500 individuals and 17,300 firms and properties involved in the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry. CIC offers many tools and programs designed to support the industry and meet its challenges; facilitate the exchange of information and ideas; and educate the public on its profound economic impact.
In 2003, the Convention Industry Council’s Green Meetings Task Force was charged with creating minimum best practices for event organizers and suppliers to use as guidelines for implementing policies of sustainability. The task force was composed of individuals from the EPA, the Ocean’s Blue Foundation, the Society of Incentive Travel Executive’s Green Meeting Group, the World Travel Organization, hotels, convention and visitor’s bureaus, convention centers, and meeting-planning organizations. The results of the Task Force's work are a series of guidelines for event organizers and event suppliers on running environmentally friendly events. Those guidelines are available in the report below.
The Green Report (PDF, 370 KB)
Greening the ASA [+ Details]
Here’s what’s being done programmatically and logistically to “
green” our Annual Meeting:
In partnership with the ASA-host hotels, the following processes are being adopted:
- Each facility will have recycling bins available for attendees
- Receptions will feature cloth napkins and tablecloths instead of paper. If not feasible, compostable napkins or napkins made from recycled content material will be used. No black plastic reception items will be used.
- Where possible, local foods and regional wines will be featured at ASA sponsored receptions
- Committee meetings will use coffee mugs instead of disposable coffee cups
- Water coolers will be used (where possible) instead of individual bottles of water
- Where possible, the surplus from receptions may be donated to local shelters or soup kitchens
- Tours will be conducted using public transportation where possible; coach-bus service tours will use low-emission vehicles
- All ASA-host hotels participate in the linen reuse program, so that bed linens are changed only when requested
- Hotel guest rooms have low-flow toilets and other water saving devices
- Annual Meeting tote bags are made of recycled material and may be reused after the meeting.
- Annual Meeting badges may be returned to collection bins at each of the facilities
- Energy-efficient LCD monitors will be used in session rooms rather than CRT monitors
Be sure to attend the Open Community Forum on Greening the ASA. There are also a number of sessions sponsored by ASA Program Committee, Sections of the ASA and a Regional Spotlight Tour, that will address issues of environmental justice.
- Environmental Sociology
- Environment, Race, and Ethnicity: Assessing Progress on Rights and Justice 25 Years On
- Ecological Unequal Exchange
- Race, Gender, and Class: Environmental Justice & Global Climate Change
- Population and the Natural and Built Environment
- Tour 3 - Environmental Justice: A Tour of Boston’s Alternatives for Community and Environment
*Be sure to search the online program schedule for a complete list of events related to sustainability, the environment; and environmental justice.
The ASA is concerned with the environmental impact on the host cities of the Annual Meeting. Travel to/from the meeting; hotel and meal emissions; and the printing of the materials for the meeting all create a substantial carbon footprint. Our four-day meeting of 6,000+ people produces approximately 5,065.4 metric tons of emissions. We encourage everyone to continually strive to reduce their carbon footprint through sensible energy reductions combined with cost-effective carbon offsets to eliminate their overall carbon footprint.
The Carbonfund.org, is leading the fight against global warming climate change, making it easy and affordable for any individual, business or organization to eliminate their climate impact and hastening the transformation to a clean energy future. Carbonfund.org supports renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects globally that reduce carbon dioxide emissions and the threat of climate change.
According to the Carbonfund.org, the ASA’s 5,065.4 metric tons of emissions equal about $27,860 in offset costs.
What can you do? [+ Details]
- We encourage you to calculate, and where possible, reduce your carbon footprint
- Consider offsetting your individual costs
Carbon offsets represent the reduction of CO2 in one location, like a wind farm in
Kansas, to offset the CO2 produced in another, like your vehicle, office or home.
We must all reduce our emissions wherever possible, but carbon offsets empower anyone to reduce their climate impact to zero today. Carbonfund.org supports renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects that reduce and offset CO2 emissions.
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CALCULATE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT AND CONSIDER OFFSETTING YOUR COST
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Carbon Fund Mission (PDF, 3.51 MB)
*The ASA has no contractual obligation with the Carbonfund.org. Participation is at your discretion. The ASA assumes no liability with your offset participation.
