During Earth Month, the American Red Cross is joining with the global community to celebrate the planet and reaffirm its commitment to delivering its lifesaving mission sustainably by cutting emissions, reducing waste and lowering water use.
As the climate crisis continues to worsen, the Red Cross is witnessing firsthand how entire communities are suffering from extreme weather. 2023 was the planet’s hottest year on record — and the U.S. experienced an all-time high of 28 billion-dollar plus disasters that ravaged communities and forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee from severe storms, floods and wildfires.
This year’s Earth Month theme is “Planet vs Plastics.” In keeping with that topic, the Red Cross is transitioning from plastic to more sustainable, eco-friendly supplies including compostable food supplies — meal containers, cups, lids and cutlery — for its disaster operations, and installing water refill stations to cut down on single-use plastic bottles.
The Red Cross is also analyzing and making significant, eco-friendly changes to its facilities, vehicles, supplies and water resources. For example, to increase energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint, the organization is transitioning more than 80% of its facilities to renewable energy sources. It’s also replacing gas-powered vehicles with hybrid and electric models to reduce the environmental impact of a 4,000-plus vehicle fleet.
In addition, the Red Cross is reducing water consumption by 20% by implementing a variety of solutions such as xeriscaping in water-stressed areas, reducing irrigation by installing leak detectors and rain sensors, and upgrading older fixtures in favor of new low-flow models and aerators. The organization is also strengthening its efforts to reduce waste by 30% overall and to increase its recycling rate to 50% organization wide.
Learn more about our work at redcross.org/climate and in our annual Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report available here.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Take a class and be ready to respond if an emergency strikes.
