Members from FIATA World Congress Dublin (upcoming for October 3-8) hit the streets of San Antonio, Texas, as part of the Transport Intermediaries Association's (TIA) 5k Charity Run at TIA’s Capital Ideas Conference and Exhibition, which ran April 6-9.
   The annual Capital Ideas Conference, which bills itself as “The World’s Largest Gathering of Brokerage-based 3PLs,” is a networking extravaganza for 800-plus attendees.
   “Great turnout, fun morning and we were happy to add a little green to the event,” said the Irish.
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   This Friday, April 22, 2016, is Earth Day.
    We are now entering the 46th year of an environmental movement that continues to inspire thought, challenge ideas, ignite passion, and motivate people to action.
    “It’s Not Easy Bein’ Green” is a popular song written by Joe Raposo, originally performed by Jim Henson as Kermit the Frog on Sesame Street, the long-running children’s show on the Public Broadcasting System in America.
    It’s funny how music can key thoughts and memories.
    Decades ago, our four children would watch that show and Kermit would sing his somewhat plaintive song, which was not connected to Earth Day at all.
    But recently when somebody wondered about the status of “Green Cargo,” we thought:
    “We’ve heard that song before”!
    Many people across the United States have certainly seen United Airlines’ B737-900ER “Eco-Skies” logo jet, part of the carrier’s Eco-Skies CarbonChoice program.
    Here we speak to Peggy Guse, Managing Director, Cargo Marketing, Customer Service and Alliances at UA Cargo and Natalie Mindrum, Director – Environmental Strategy and Sustainability of the UA Environmental Team, about United Cargo’s commitment to the environment moving forward.
    “United Airlines is committed to operating an environmentally sustainable and responsible airline,” assures Peggy.
    “This commitment means that we continuously work to minimize the environmental impact associated with our operations, and also that we are always seeking ways to reduce our footprint in the air, on the ground and at our facilities. The Cargo Division demonstrates this same commitment in the way we operate our facilities and how we transport our customers’ shipments.”
    “Air cargo’s impact on the environment is more and more an area of concern for cargo’s customers, the broader public, and government regulators worldwide,” Natalie continued.
    “United believes that the industry must collaborate on this subject to avoid a patchwork of conflicting and difficult-to-manage programs, laws, and requirements across the globe. That’s why we continue to be deeply involved in the industry associations and special working groups that are addressing these challenges.”
    Peggy outlined “two ongoing environmental initiatives” of which United Cargo is “particularly proud.”
    “In late 2014, United Cargo began replacing our fleet of LD3 containers with new Herculight S containers designed by Zodiac Aerospace,” she said.
    “While the Herculight S is designed to be one of the lightest containers available, it has proven its durability and strength in our operations. Based on the number of LD3 movements on United, we expect to reduce our fuel consumption by two million gallons and our CO2 emissions by more than 19,400 metric tons per year when the transition to the lighter containers is complete. We also work with local vendors to recycle the approximately 200 pounds of recyclable material in each retired LD3.
    “In 2015, United expanded our Eco-Skies CarbonChoice program to include cargo customers, enabling our business partners to easily track and offset the Scope 3 carbon emissions associated with all their shipments on United Cargo. CarbonChoice works with Sustainable Travel International to identify high-quality carbon offset partners around the globe to enable our customers to ship carbon-neutral,” Peggy said.
    “In March 2016, United became the first U.S. airline to begin using commercial-scale volumes of aviation biofuel for regularly scheduled flights,” said Natalie.
    “We’re using the biofuel in daily operations at our LAX hub, storing and delivering it in the same way as traditional fuel. Our partnership with California-based AltAir Fuels is the first of its kind in the United States; and our equity partnership with Fulcrum Bioenergy will increase our supply and commitment to sustainable biofuels.
    “United has improved our aircraft fleet fuel efficiency by 34 percent since 1994. We’re committed to the common set of goals established by the aviation sector for taking climate action, including an average fuel efficiency increase of 1.5 percent per year until 2020, followed by stabilizing net CO2 emissions from aviation from 2020 forward, and cutting net CO2 emissions by 2050 to half of what they were in 2005,” said Natalie.
    United Cargo remains committed to enhancing their present facilities to make them greener and lessen their environmental impact.
    “The most recently built facility in United’s Cargo’s system—at Chicago O’Hare—is our model for all future construction and current operations. It was built to exceed LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) principles, and the vegetative living roof measures 109,000 square feet: one of the largest “green” roofs in North America,” Peggy proudly stated.
    “Other leading-edge green features at ORD include water-saving fixtures; high efficiency lighting, heating, and cooling; and the use of electric and alternative fuel belt-loaders, cargo towing tractors, and forklifts. A permeable paver parking lot reduces storm water runoff, and even this storm water is conserved and reused. Features of this design, along with ORD’s comprehensive recycling program, have been incorporated at warehouses throughout our system,” said Peggy.
    “From the airline perspective, United is proud to be one of the global leaders in environmental responsibility, but we recognize there is much more to do,” Natalie continued.
    “We’re investing in sustainable biofuels and integrating these into our operation not only to increase the environmental sustainability of our enterprise, but to jump-start the aviation biofuel industry for the benefit of all airlines.
    “The steps an organization involved in air cargo can take to improve their green footprint are similar to any company (or any individual): produce fewer emissions, consume less energy, and recycle and reuse to generate less waste. It’s important to assess your operation and identify which changes will make the maximum impact—and then to measure your success as your program continues. At United, our largest carbon footprint is associated with fuel use, so we focus the majority of our efforts on reducing our fuel use and thus reducing our impact on the environment.”
    “Of course,” Peggy added, “we believe there’s a perfect way for air cargo forwarders and shippers to be greener: they can use airlines like United that are working to reduce the carbon impact of air freight by making significant fuel efficiency improvements and increasing their use of biofuels.
    “United Cargo customers can also purchase carbon offsets for their shipping through our Eco-Skies CarbonChoice program. Beyond that, all cargo companies can employ lighter-weight containers and advanced route planning to increase fuel efficiency. Finally, everyone should use, and then reuse, recyclable materials throughout their operations,” Peggy said.
    “United maintains a number of partnerships with environmental institutions and leaders including Conservation International, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, and Clean Energy Trust,” Natalie said.
    “These organizations keep us informed about and updated on environmental best practices around the world.”
Geoffrey

A new nail-biter movie featuring Helen Mirren and the late Alan Rickman explores the moral quandaries of remote control warfare “that the viewer will think about for days,” one reviewer wrote . . .
Watch the preview

Vol. 15 No. 31
Tristan And American Cargo
The Lionel Track At CNS
Cargo is Good Country Music
Chuckles For April 18, 2016
Remembering Bill Langenberg