The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), in collaboration with IEEE-USA, developed a “National Energy Policy Goals Proclamation” outlining critical national energy priorities that the two societies would like to see implemented by Congress within the upcoming years.

Considered by many to be on the frontlines for a response to the nation’s energy challenges, the engineering industry rose to the occasion in overwhelming support of this proclamation. In total, 21 engineering societies, representing more than 1 million engineers, embraced the proclamation’s message.

One of the top messages that the proclamation pushes is for the modernization of the nation’s electric transmission grid. “The electric grid that exists in the country today has served the country well for decades, but a redesigned and re-engineered system is needed that builds on the grid that is in place and makes use of the most advanced control technology available. It must support bringing electricity generated by new sustainable, economic and environmentally acceptable technologies to load centers around the country.”

While many groups call for abandoning all nonrenewable resources, engineers know that it’s not that easy. Engineers want to find eco-friendly energy sources, like biomass, solar and wind power. The proclamation emphasizes drawing energy from a broad range of sources, including coal, petroleum, nuclear, natural gas, solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and hydroelectric power.

By creating concise, effective measures to adapt to climate change through carbon mitigation, the proclamation aims to provide a long-term commitment to energy research, development and demonstration.

ASME has many members who work in the energy sector, and during the 129-year existence of the organization, it has been a source of new ideas and knowledge. As such, ASME is a credible and trusted player in the energy industry. For more information, visit http://www.asme.org.

A new Web site lets users create profiles, network, shop, play games and more, as they connect over green issues and learn ways to help the earth—all while earning rewards for acting to safeguard the environment.

Waste Management, the leading provider of comprehensive waste management and environmental services in North America, launched Greenopolis.com, an interactive Web site that enables people to learn, act and earn rewards for making a positive impact on the environment. As part of its earth-friendly efforts, Waste Management also recently launched www.ThinkGreen.com, an interactive Web site that features important issues in waste management and gives an inside look at the company’s operations.

Waste Management says Greenopolis.com is designed to spread the green word even further. Here’s a closer look:

MyOpolis—The interactive social network section of the site lets members create profiles, build networks of friends and keep track of their “Greenopolis Points.” Users can access features and tools, such as blogs, forums, event calendars and other online features.

Groups—The site’s online tools for community action groups include David Gershon’s Green Living Handbook, Low Carbon Diet and Cool Corporate Citizen.

GreenMedia—The Green Broadcast System (GBS) gives users up-to-the-minute news stories, articles, thought leadership, blogs and published data.

Marketplace—This feature provides shopping, local environmental service directories and a materials exchange called “Free’N” that helps members locate and exchange items as an alternative to throwing them away.

Games—Users can play, rate, review and suggest environmental-themed games, helping to build a searchable directory of the best sustainability games on the Web.

Green Profile—Each member can create a unique profile to track his or her environmental progress. Profiles include a Green Badge that becomes greener based on the user’s site activity. Badges can be shared with other members and featured on other blogging sites and networks such as MySpace.com.

Merit Badges—Badges help users track their learning and actions in specific environmental areas. Users eventually accumulate enough points to earn a badge.

To learn more, visit the Web site www.greenopolis.com.

“The Greening of HR Survey,” conducted by Buck Consultants, an ACS company and one of the world’s leading human resource and benefits consulting firms, finds that 54 percent of respondents incorporate environmental management into their business operations.

• More than 60 percent of survey respondents have made environmental responsibility part of their organization’s mission statement.
• There is still much more that organizations can do
• We expect to see future growth in green training programs, environmentally responsible investment options, and recruiting employees with green skills.

The Greening of HR Survey
The survey analyzed responses from 93 organizations in the United States, representing a wide range of industries. The research was conducted during the fourth quarter of 2008, and examines the types of “green” initiatives employers are using in workforce management and human resources practices.

Whether they are part of a strategic business plan or a one-off practice, some common green human resource initiatives include:

• Using Web or teleconferencing to reduce travel (78 percent),
• Promoting the reduction of paper use (76 percent), and
• Implementing wellness programs to foster employees’ proper nutrition, fitness, and healthy living (68 percent).

“Many employers now recognize that green programs in the workplace can promote social responsibility among workers and help retain top talent,” said Don Sanford, managing director of Buck’s Communication practice who directed the survey. “More than 60 percent of survey respondents have made environmental responsibility part of their organization’s mission statement.”

The survey found employee involvement in green programs dramatically increases when organizations appoint an individual to lead the efforts. For companies with at least three-quarters of their employees actively involved in green programs, 71 percent have appointed individual leaders whereas only 29 percent do not have such a leader.

Among companies that provide rewards to encourage green behaviors, 77 percent provide special employee recognition, 36 percent give prize incentives, and 14 percent provide a monetary reward.

“There is still much more that organizations can do,” said Sanford. “We expect to see future growth in green training programs, environmentally responsible investment options, and recruiting employees with green skills.”

Buck Consultants, an ACS company, is a leader in human resource and benefits consulting with more than 1,500 professionals worldwide. Founded in 1916 to advise clients in establishing and funding some of the nation’s first public and private retirement programs, Buck is an innovator in the areas of retirement benefits, health and wellness programs, human capital management, and employee communication. News and other information about Buck Consultants are available at www.buckconsultants.com. Buck is an independent subsidiary of Affiliated Computer Services, Inc.

ACS, a global FORTUNE 500 company with approximately 70,000 people supporting client operations reaching more than 100 countries, provides business process outsourcing and information technology solutions to world-class commercial and government clients. The company’s Class A common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ACS.” Learn more about ACS at http://www.acs-inc.com.

“The Greening of HR Survey” report is available to the media by contacting Ed Gadowski at 201-902-2825. It is available to other interested parties at no cost from Buck’s Global Survey Resources, 500 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, NJ, 07096-1533. Telephone 1-800-887-0509. It also can be ordered online at www.bucksurveys.com.