Climate change isn’t going to correct itself.
It is imperative that we all do our part. At Levi Strauss & Co., we are committed to addressing climate change and we want our employees to feel empowered to do the same. LS&Co. has worked with the Climate Reality Project to help educate employees on the impact of climate change and to provide outlets for employees to get involved in their own communities. From screening the documentary “An Inconvenient Sequel” to sending engaged employees to Al Gore’s Climate Reality Trainings throughout the world.
Employee Rocio Castillo shares her experience participating in the Mexico City training this past March.
Unzipped: What was it that interested you in taking part in the program?
Rocio: In 2007, I watched “An Inconvenient Truth” and I really had no idea what I was going to be watching. I was really struck and shocked by all the information that the documentary had.
That night, I couldn’t sleep because I was thinking about all the effects that human activity is having on the environment and the climate. It’s really, really shocking. How can each one of us do something to lessen the impact of human activity and climate change?
When I heard that Al Gore was coming to Mexico City, I was really relieved to see that he was still fighting the good fight through his work with the Climate Reality Project. It was inspiring for me to see him still working on this initiative and taking it so seriously and making it his everyday work now.
Unzipped: What were some of your biggest takeaways from the training?
Rocio: It was a lot of information, but the training focused on three main questions: “Must we change? Can we change? Will we change?” What that really meant for us was, “Oh we really have to do something about the way we are impacting our world.” There’s not really much of an option here. The answer lies in renewable energy, such as wind and solar energies, and creating awareness and raising our voices with decision-makers to minimize or discontinue the use of fossil fuels.
Unzipped: How has this inspired you to make personal changes in your life?
Rocio: I’m trying to take everyday actions, like taking my own bags when I go to the store, not buying plastic stuff, taking my own coffee mug when I go to the Starbucks, walking a little more instead of using the car, using biodegradable detergent, disconnecting my home appliances when I’m not using them. I’m just trying to make as much of an impact as possible, at least on a smaller scale.
If I’ve learned anything, it’s that you cannot look away from this situation. We had four major hurricanes last year – Harvey, Maria, Irma, and Jose – in just a matter of months. This really has to be taken more seriously.
I’m really thankful that Levi Strauss & Co. has given us this opportunity. I think it’s really important, and it shows that the company really cares and are very sustainably conscious. It is trainings like these that are so necessary in spreading the message on how we can personally make a difference when it comes to combating climate change.
As Al Gore himself put it, “Man hasn’t found a better technology to clean the air than a tree, it’s as simple as that.” That left me with flabbergasted – mother nature can’t be beaten.
