Latitude Communications to Go Car-Free for Earth Day
Latitude Communications Inc., a provider of web-conferencing technology, has announced that its 250 employees in the U.S., Europe, and Asia will avoid driving and flying on April 22, in observance of Earth Day.
a href=http://www.greenbiz.com/frame/1.cfm?targetsite=http://www.latitude.com>… Communications Inc., a provider of web-conferencing technology, has announced that its 250 employees in the U.S., Europe, and Asia will avoid driving and flying on April 22, in observance of Earth Day.
The company has committed to participating in Car Free Day, an event organized by the Earth Day Network, that encourages drivers to use alternative travel methods -- such as walking, biking, taking mass transit, and telecommuting –- on Earth Day.
“On Earth Day -- and every day -- business leaders need to consider…the impact of employee travel,” said Rick McConnell, president and chief operating officer of Latitude. “That makes for a healthier bottom line for everyone.”
Car emissions, according to the Kansas Collaborative Research Network, are the greatest human contributor to ground level ozone pollution. That, in turn, causes aggravated asthma, higher susceptibility to bronchitis, and pneumonia, and reduces U.S. crop production by $500 million each year, reports the Environmental Protection Agency. According to Latitude Communications, avoiding one 40-mile trip in a car prevents about 13 quarts of pollution.
In order to further reduce motor travel on April 22, Latitude Communications will hold all of its meetings -- with customers, vendors, partners, and employees – via its Internet-based virtual meeting program.
"Although many businesses are embracing real-time collaboration to save on travel expenses, they can also reduce the soft costs' that are ultimately a greater expense,'' said McConnell. "By conducting business virtually, companies can also reduce travel-related downtime, promote employee safety, and save the environment.”
The company’s participation in Car Free Day will mark the release of its new web conferencing technology, marketed as MeetingPlace.
The company has committed to participating in Car Free Day, an event organized by the Earth Day Network, that encourages drivers to use alternative travel methods -- such as walking, biking, taking mass transit, and telecommuting –- on Earth Day.
“On Earth Day -- and every day -- business leaders need to consider…the impact of employee travel,” said Rick McConnell, president and chief operating officer of Latitude. “That makes for a healthier bottom line for everyone.”
Car emissions, according to the Kansas Collaborative Research Network, are the greatest human contributor to ground level ozone pollution. That, in turn, causes aggravated asthma, higher susceptibility to bronchitis, and pneumonia, and reduces U.S. crop production by $500 million each year, reports the Environmental Protection Agency. According to Latitude Communications, avoiding one 40-mile trip in a car prevents about 13 quarts of pollution.
In order to further reduce motor travel on April 22, Latitude Communications will hold all of its meetings -- with customers, vendors, partners, and employees – via its Internet-based virtual meeting program.
"Although many businesses are embracing real-time collaboration to save on travel expenses, they can also reduce the soft costs' that are ultimately a greater expense,'' said McConnell. "By conducting business virtually, companies can also reduce travel-related downtime, promote employee safety, and save the environment.”
The company’s participation in Car Free Day will mark the release of its new web conferencing technology, marketed as MeetingPlace.
