Earth Day 2020
Today is Earth Day – a day to educate and mobilize positive action for the planet. The first Earth Day was marked in 1970, and since then, the movement has grown into a worldwide day of reflection and action for the global environment.
The theme of Earth Day 2020 is Climate Action, and at Mosaic this provides an opportunity to look at how our business and our practices make a positive contribution to the fight against climate change, and where we have the opportunity to do more.
In partnership with the Carbon Trust, Mosaic is undertaking extensive, end-to-end supply chain analysis of our carbon footprint. This provides us with an independent, data-driven view on where we lead and where we can improve on our journey toward carbon neutrality.
Our Seed Orchard Technician is grafting Douglas fir parent trees for the Mount Newton Seed Orchard.
Our reforestation program sets our company apart. At the Mount Newton Seed Orchard, Mosaic produces seed for fast-growing, resilient trees that are expanding the carbon sequestration potential of our forests. In the past 40 years, Mount Newton has produced enough seed to grow 250 million seedlings – and the orchard’s contribution to sustainable forest management on BC’s Coast is significant.
Right now, Mosaic tree planters are working hard to establish our next generation of forests. This Spring, our tree planting crews are planting more than 10 million seedlings – challenging and important work that we rely on for the sustainability of our business. This year’s planting season has been particularly challenging as the crews respect physical distancing requirements and other safety measures related to Covid-19, and we want to thank them for their hard work and commitment to safety.
While reforestation and carbon storage in trees and products is key to our climate contribution, Mosaic’s commitment to climate action is also focused on reducing emissions. We have reduced slash burning by more than 35% since 2017. We are investigating alternative fuel sources and electric vehicles to reduce emissions from our vehicle fleet. And we have greatly expanded our fire weather forecasting and wildfire response resources to improve our ability to both prevent and respond to wildfires – one of the greatest emissions risks we face.
On this Earth Day, our company is reflecting on the important role of forests in the fight against climate change and our efforts to improve the carbon footprint of our business. Our climate action programs are core to Mosaic’s sustainability commitments – Earth Day and every day.
Jeffery Zweig – President and Chief Executive Officer