Portland, second week

After a weekend out in San Francisco, Seattle or the Olympic National Park, we started the morning with the smell of wine in Sokol Blosser Winery, where the EOI group was lead through their installations tasting the wine they produce from organic vineyards.

After having lunch in a Hawaiian restaurant, we visited in Corvallis, home to Oregon State University, the Hinsdale Wave Research Lab and the Wallace Energy Systems and Renewables Facility, both part of the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center. There Meleah Ashford explained us the development they have in wave energy, their new marine science center near Newport (OR), and the difficulties they have to advance in the field although there are real needs of energy in the West Coast .

On Tuesday March 6 we departed for Nike, where presentations about Nike’s approach to sustainability and innovation took place. Afterwards Nate Tofte, Licensed Analyst at Nike, guided us through the so huge Nike Campus and told us anecdotes about different sport celebrities.

That same afternoon the EOI group went to Portland University to attend the presentations of Greg Hill, Professor of Mathematics and Environmental Studies, about the management of timber in Malaysia to prevent deforestation, and Seamus O’Conner, Operations Director for Sumerra, about the Corporate Social Responsibility of big brands within their contract factories all over the world.

The following day at 9:00 am we went to Iberdrola Renewables ’s headquarters, meeting Trevor Mihalik who is  Senior VP of Finance in USA. After a presentation about the overview of U.S. renewables, the requirements for its suitable development and Iberdrola’s position in the industry, we visited their trading floor and national control center.

In the afternoon, Rex Burkholder, from Metro Council, showed us how we should move towards a low carbon economy and the importance of engage people with their community. Moreover he explained the progress Metro is achieving in the Regional Transportation Plan, improving health, safety and the environment under Metro’s Regional Climate Action Strategy.

In the morning of Thursday, March 8, Pete Chism, from Recycle at Work, introduced us the methods used in Oregon and Portland to classify and recycle the waste produced at homes, law offices, events, universities, restaurants, government agencies… Recycle at work provides free, customized assistance to all types of businesses that are working for a cleaner, greener future by recycling.

After lunch James Murphy, VP of International Operations for COSTCO, presented the plans they have for the company to expand over the world, although not thinking in a sustainable way… The meeting showed us the efforts other companies are doing in the US to provide the society with a cleaner environment and fairer practices.

That afternoon it was our turn to present the business we liked most in front of our EOI mates, coordinators Andrés and Esperanza, Howard and Kate and some Portland University Studies.

Afterwards Howard and Kate gave us the certificate of attendance to the Study Trip Program on Sustainability and Social Responsibility, awarded by the Pamplin School of Business Administration at the University of Portland. Thanks a lot for everything Howard and Kate!

In the evening we had dinner with E-Scholars, who are in a program that matches each student with an entrepreneurial mentor and provides the opportunity for domestic and international travel to meet with business leaders and practice global business.

On Friday 9^th march and our last day in Portland we visited the ReBuilding Center, where building materials in good conditions are donated to reuse them, reduce waste creation and promote sustainable practices. Besides, the ReBuilding Center benefits the society providing affordable construction resources, job creation and inspiring neighbours to work together as a community. We met Taylor Bergmann at the entrance to the building, who explain us their history, services and rewards of their job.

In the afternoon we departed for Boeing, Portland, Inc. the world’s leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined. In their facilities they presented the sustainable practices they maintain in their manufacturing processes. Afterwards we were be provided a tour of Boeing’s Portland manufacturing plant.

And here our two weeks’ Student Trip to Portland finished. I hope you enjoyed the narration and visit Portland, a city committed to clean air and water, livable neighborhoods, parks and open spaces for all, economic development that is sustainable for our  environment, transportation that makes sense and much more.

Comentarios desactivados en Portland, second week / 16 Mar 2012 por Laura Ambrós Atance
MIGMAmad /

Comentarios cerrados.