It’s that time to celebrate our planet and focus on how we can help it renew. Since 1970, the world has observed and celebrated Earth Day or Earth Week, in the case of E Ink.
This started as a response to a large oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. A junior senator from Wisconsin, inspired by student war protests, Senator Gaylord Nelson introduced the idea of teach-in on college campuses. The media ran with it and Earth Day was born.
Why April 22? In 1970, the date fell on a Wednesday. The reasoning was that mid week, between spring break and finals, was the optimum time to rally students. The world agreed.
By the end of 1970, the US Environmental Protection Agency was created and other legislation was passed to protect the planet, including National Education Act, OSHA and the Clean Air Act. In 1972, the Clean Water Act was passed.
E Ink and our partners are active participants in Earth Day. The technology of ePaper is the definition of sustainability – bi-stable displays are low power – only drawing power when changing the image. Low power usage allows the displays to run longer between charges. The power draw is so low that the displays can be charged using solar power.
Transportation kiosk
Credit: E Ink
What does E Ink have planned for Earth Week – April 22-26 – this year? Our three sites in the US have events scheduled, ranging from electronics recycling, composting, cleaning up parks, collecting employees’ hazardous waste and creating a pollinator garden to fundraising for the National Forest Foundation.
Credit: National Forest Foundation
What else has E Ink accomplished?
E Ink placed in the top 5% in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook.
Published our Sustainability Structure Review.
Investigated the outlook for sustainability in 2024.
Joined the Climate Pledge in 2022 to commit to becoming net-zero carbon by 2040 – the first display company to take the pledge. Have you seen the interview at CES24 with Timothy O’Malley, AVP US RBU at E Ink?
What are your plans for Earth Day 2024?