Alcoa Employees to Help Scientists Study Critical Environmental Issues

2008-03-12

Alcoa recently announced that 15 of its employees will assist in scientific field research expeditions around the world this year through a partnership with Earthwatch Institute. Earthwatch is the global volunteer organization that works toward a sustainable environment by engaging people in research, conservation, and education programs. The Alcoa fellows will be participating in Earthwatch expeditions that focus primarily on climate change, global water supply, and sustainability--issues of great importance to the company. The selected employees work at Alcoa locations around the world, from Iceland to Australia. Between May and August, they will travel to research sites in Ecuador, the Czech Republic, Kenya, and elsewhere.

This is the sixth year Alcoa has sponsored employees in the field. "I learned so many things on so many different levels," said Keith Williams, a 2007 Alcoa Earthwatch fellow from Alcoa, Tennessee, who helped scientists discover why China's massive Gobi Desert is growing at an alarming rate and where the water is going. "I gained a whole new appreciation for the Chinese, Mongolians, the environment, science, and history. I also learned the substance of myself and to be more appreciative of my blessings. Even though each person is like a speck of sand in the scheme of life, each can make a difference by respecting others and the resources of the Earth, one decision at a time."

The 2008 Alcoa Earthwatch fellows and their research expeditions are: Andrew Douglas, Kwinana, Australia Earthwatch Expedition: Sustainable Southern Belize, May 9-17 Corey Ortiz, Davenport, Iowa, USA Earthwatch Expedition: Sustainable Southern Belize, May 9-17 Ronaldo Firmo, Poços de Caldas, Brazil Earthwatch Expedition: Sustainable Southern Belize, May 31-June 8 Rebekah Ross, Intalco Works, Ferndale, Washington, USA Earthwatch Expedition: Sustainable Southern Belize, May 31-June 8 Daniel Frank, Warrick Operations, Evansville, Indiana, USA Earthwatch Expedition: Mountain Waters of the Czech Republic, May 31-June 13 Charles Soord, Huntly Mine, Australia Earthwatch Expedition: Mountain Waters of the Czech Republic, May 31-June 13 Samantha Morley,Huntly Mine, Australia Earthwatch Expedition: Hunting for Caterpillars in La Selva, July 1-11 Dmitry Safin, Samara, Russia Earthwatch Expedition: Hunting for Caterpillars in La Selva, July 1-11 Pascal Rochette, Deschambault, Canada Earthwatch Expedition: Hunting for Caterpillars in the Andes, July 18-28 Donna Schneider, Cleveland, Ohio, USA Earthwatch Expedition: Hunting for Caterpillars in the Andes, July 18-28 Elena Galchanskaya, Samara, Russia Earthwatch Expedition: Tidal Forests of Kenya, July 25-August 4 Alexandre Borges, São Luís, Brazil Earthwatch Expedition: Costa Rica's Sustainable Coffee, July 28-August 11 Vivienne Talbot, Geneva, Switzerland Earthwatch Expedition: Costa Rica's Sustainable Coffee, July 28-August 11 Richardo Montiel, Alcoa Fjardaál, Reyðarfjörður, Iceland Earthwatch Expedition: Climate Change in the Rainforest, August 6-20 Cesar Zuleta, Alcoa Köfém, Székesfehérvár, Hungary Earthwatch Expedition: Climate Change in the Rainforest, August 6-20

The Earthwatch fellowships give Alcoa employees an opportunity to get involved personally and t o share their findings in the communities in which they work and live. During their expeditions, each fellow publishes a diary of his or her experiences, along with photographs, on www.alcoa.com/earthwatch. "Alcoa continues to take a leadership role in addressing globally important environmental issues," said Rob Bear, Alcoa's director of Environmental Affairs. "Our partnership with Earthwatch gives our employees the opportunity to see firsthand the science of understanding environmental conditions and the connection to Alcoa's strategic programs. These employees then promote Alcoa's environmental leadership to their colleagues and communities upon their return."

The Alcoa Earthwatch Fellows nominate themselves and are selected on merit by a team of judges from Alcoa and Earthwatch Institute. All travel and accommodation costs are covered, and the fellows use their available vacation time to participate on projects for up to two weeks under the guidance of leading environmental scientists. Alcoa provides a grant to Earthwatch to support the research projects in which employees are participating.

Alcoa, a long-time proponent of preserving the environment and combating harmful effects of various pollutants, reflects its commitment in its values. Recent company initiatives include reducing landfilled waste by more than 50% between 2000 and 2007 and worldwide direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from managed facilities by 33% from 1990 to 2007. A founding member of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP) the goal of which is to encourage government/policy change that would require significant reduction in GHGs. Alcoa is also a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and was named one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World for the fourth year in a row at this year's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Alcoa is also a member of the Global Roundtable on Climate Change (GROCC), working with other companies to affect environmental change in industry. Earthwatch Institute is a global volunteer organization that supports scientific research by offering members of the public unique opportunities to work alongside leading field scientists and researchers. Founded in 1971, Earthwatch's mission is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. More information can be found at www.earthwatch.org. Alcoa is the world leader in the production and management of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina combined, through its active and growing participation in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components including flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, Alcoa also markets Alcoa wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building systems. The Company has 97,000 employees in 34 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.