Toronto, September 28, 2006 – Zerofootprint, a Toronto-based not-for-profit organization that helps businesses and individuals reduce their ecological footprint, has recently partnered with International Readings at Harbourfront Centre to aid the organization in becoming more “green.”
As a first step in moving toward this goal, Zerofootprint will environmentally “offset” the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from all air and automobile travel for participants in International Readings’ 27th annual International Festival of Authors (IFOA) which runs October 18-28. The Zerofootprint Offset Program neutralizes CO2 emissions, a known cause of global warming.
“Our organization recognizes the impact that the arts can and does have on the environment,” said Geoffrey E. Taylor, director of International Readings. “The ecological impact in staging festivals such as the IFOA cannot be ignored, and we are pleased to partner with Zerofootprint in an effort to reduce our impact on the planet.”
“Offsetting travel on behalf of IFOA participants will encourage other festivals to adopt similar environmental actions,” said Deborah Kaplan, Executive Director of Zerofootprint. “Further, the initiative will help to persuade not only those involved, but the IFOA audience as well, to consider the ramifications of their own actions on the environment.”
International Readings plans on expanding their greening initiatives and integrating more sustainable practices and technologies into its annual operations. Building on their ongoing work with Markets Initiatives to continue to discourage the use of ancient, old growth forests, International Readings will continue to explore ways to reduce, reuse, recycle, and offset other ecological impacts with the assistance of Zerofootprint. By taking a leadership role within the national and international publishing communities, International Readings is committed to helping to inform the literary arts industry about the importance of sustainability in business practices.
Zerofootprint provides information, products and services to the global network of consumers and organizations that wish to reduce their environmental impact. For more information visit www.zerofootprint.net.
Since its inception in 1974, International Readings has hosted more than 5,000 authors from 100 countries, including fourteen Nobel Laureates. Our season includes International Readings, the annual International Festival of Authors (October 18 – 28, 2006), and the annual ALOUD: a Celebration for Young Readers (February 13 – 17, 2007). For more information visit www.readings.org or www.ifoa.blogspot.com.
Media Contact for Zerofootprint: Deborah Kaplan: 416.365.7557; info@zerofootprint.net
Media Contact for International Readings, International Festival of Authors: Lindsey Love: 416.973.4147; llove@harbourfrontcentre.com