The Michigan Daily - Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 5A
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Open Letter Regarding The Coca-Cola Company's
Commitment to Water Stewardship
The Case for Action.
Freshwater has never been in greater demand for all the services it provides - from habitat
to drinking water to irrigation to commercial uses. Across the planet, the most precious,
shared resource is increasingly under stress.
The Coca-Cola Company and its worldwide bottling partners have a genuine commitment
to adequate and equitable access to water. Water is vital to us all, and there is much work to
be done to enable safe drinking water access and protect the watersheds that sustain life.
Our Commitment.
We are committed to help protect and preserve water resources - and that commitment
begins at home, in our operations. In 2004, we improved our water efficiency by 6% across
our global bottling plants. Everyday, we continue to work hard to reduce the amount
of water we use, and 2005 results will be reported in detail in our forthcoming annual
environmental report.
Making a Start.
With the guidance of environmental and public health leaders, we have begun to see where and
how we can help make a difference to this global challenge at a local level. By forging long-term
partnerships with the United Nations Foundation, the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID), and others, we are actively working with communities and
addressing our responsibilities to do our part.
* In India, where we have faced allegations about groundwater depletion, we have redoubled
our efforts on water sustainability through investment in "rainwater harvesting" in many
of our plants. Today, we return a substantial portion of the water we use to local aquifers.
We've also partnered with local communities to set up rainwater harvesting projects that
benefit the people who live there, including a recent initiative in Lucknow.
" In Mali, in partnership with USAID, we are starting to address community water needs
by installing well hand pumps at several locations throughout the country and by working
with community groups and micro-entrepreneurs to improve water access in Bamako.
* In Kenya, as with most of the African continent, many schools lack access to safe water and
adequate sanitation. The greatest burden is born by girls who are often forced to drop out
of school. With the Millennium Water Alliance and CARE, we are introducing Safe Water
Systems in primary schools in Nyanza province.
For The Coca-Cola Company, this is just the beginning.
Learn More about Coca-Cola's progress.
Coca-Cola publishes a public report about the company's environmental challenges and
progress every year. To see a copy of our most recent Environmental Report, visit
www.environmentalreport.coca-cola.com.
For The Coca-Cola Company
Jeff Seabright
Vice President, Environmental & Water Resources
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