This is part of our
six-part Toyota in Action series. See
our previous articles on Toyota operations, Toyota’s community involvement, how
Toyota makes driving safer and the people of Toyota.
When you think of Toyota vehicles, you may think of the
current quintessential Toyota: the Toyota Prius. The Toyota Prius has set the standard
and blazed the trail of environmentally friendly hybrid vehicles. The Toyota
Prius as earned many environmental awards, but Toyota’s dedication to the
environment is more than just one vehicle. It’s the way Toyota does business.
“Protecting the environment is a commitment that affects all our
operations — from the efficient, environmentally sensitive vehicles we design,
to the emphasis we place on sustainable business, manufacturing and building
practices across our company.”
While more than 1 million Toyota hybrid vehicles have been
sold in the United States since 2000 (3 million have been sold globally) and
there are 11 hybrid models on the road, Toyota is also committed to making sure
the manufacturing process is as low-impact as possible. Ten Toyota plants in
North America have earned Leed Certification (https://new.usgbc.org/leed) awarded by
the U.S. Green Building Council. This means that Toyota’s plants implement improved
strategies “for
better environmental and health performance. Some aspects of these standards
include energy consumption, water consumption and the incorporation of
low-impact building materials.”
“Protecting the environment is one of the most important things we can do
as a company. We make it a cornerstone of our business – from the actions we
take to reduce the environmental impact of our products to the environmentally
sensitive practices we employ to build, distribute and sell them.”
In fact, it’s not just the manufacturing plants that are
working hard to protect the environment: 18 dealerships across the country have
also achieved Leed Certification.
The reason Toyota cares so deeply about the environment is
because of the affect it could have on future generations. And who else cares
more about future generations than educators? That’s why Toyota teamed up in
the Institute of International Education and the Bren School of Environmental
Science and Management “to better prepare teachers to advance environmental stewardship and
global connectedness in their classrooms, schools and across their communities.
Each year, the program sends educators overseas for 2-3 week study tours in
countries at the forefront of innovative solutions to environmental challenges.”
Since the program began in 1998, more than 600
teachers have been sent to Japan, the Galapagos Islands and Costa Rica.
Teachers who traveled to South Africa in 2011 were able to teach their students
what they were learning in South Africa using social media-based virtual
technology provided by Toyota. Teachers came home with more knowledge and more
passion that they were able to instill in their students and a future
generation.
Toyota is dedicated to the environment by doing
what it can on and off the road. Toyota didn’t hesitate to assist the World
Wildlife Fund preserve the Galapagos Islands and working with the Ecuardorian
to develop more sustainable and renewable energy sources for this incredible
ecosystem. From the islands in the Pacific Ocean to New York City where Toyota
has planted 500,000 trees of the 1 million it pledged to plant, Toyota works
with local and worldwide organizations to make the world a little better for
our children.
Toyota’s dedication to the environment is all about
looking to the future, providing educational opportunities and applying new
technology to make a difference. Check it out:
“At Toyota, we believe the best way to have an impact on the environment
is to have as little impact as possible. That’s why our environmental
commitment is built into everything we do — from innovative fuel technologies
to supporting a range of "green" initiatives to a drive for zero
waste in our plants.”
For
more information about what Toyota is doing to make positive impact on the
environment, go to www.toyotainaction.com/environment.
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