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Tuesday, April 26, 2011
News Toyota aims 'Green Initiative' at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Posted By Web Editor on Tue, Apr 26, 2011 at 12:55 PM
Toyota (you know, the multinational car manufacturer?) has played a major role in the production of energy-efficient vehicles and fuel technologies, but its efforts don’t stop there. The company recently launched its “Toyota Green Initiative” to encourage students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities to adopt more sustainable ways of living.
Via the Initiative’s website — toyotagreen.com — Toyota gives students information on ways to get involved in their communities, eco-sensitive car care, hybrid vehicles and more. The site encourages creating eco-resolutions and green goals to better the environment, eating healthier by shopping at local farmers markets, and recycling used clothing. Taking part in all these efforts, according to Toyota, will create a greener economy, resulting in fighting pollution, poverty and creating green jobs.
Toyota is not alone in its mission towards a greener tomorrow. To help them spread green awareness, the company formed a coalition of influencers devoted to the cause. Members of its alliance include: Lance Gross (Howard University graduate and actor on Tyler Perry’s TBS sitcom House of Payne) and Earthseed, an organization created to reconnect people of color to the earth and inspire community transformation.
For Gross, who says he’s always been a fan of the Toyota brand, going green can be easy and cost effective. “It wasn’t until I was out of school and paying for things on my own, that I noticed just how large my electricity bill truly was,” said Gross. “I think my biggest thing is relaying to young people that living a more sustainable lifestyle can be just as simple as unplugging something.”
Founders of Earthseed, Pandora Thomas and Zakiya Harris, said it is important for African-American people to reconnect with their environment. “We have both committed our lives to understanding how we can serve our community and the Earth,” said Thomas. “We have found that a lot of information has not been easily accessible and we need to re-frame the idea of going green and make people aware that connecting with your environment is a part of our cultural traditions.”
Both eco-conscious leaders stressed what a critical time it is in the environment and how people are waking up to that awareness. “Individuals should recognize that they have an environmental responsibility and one of the best tips I can give them is get educated,” said Harris. “Track your environmental footprints and figure out what impact your lifestyle is having on the environment and then pick one or two ways you can make a change.
Toyota’s Green Initiative website allows visitors the option to make the “green promise,” in an effort to improve or sustain their communities environment. According to Jim Colon, Vice President of Toyota product communications for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc. the initiative will not stop here. “Toyota’s Green Initiative and making the green promise is a real opportunity for students of color to become involved and make sure they understand that the things they do impact the communities they live in.”
For more auto-related content, check out part two of Creative Loafing's 2nd Annual Transportation Issue — which focuses on four-wheeled vehicles.
— Morgan Jones
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