Six years ago I oversaw the design and construction of Greenpeace's environmentally friendly offices in Washington, DC. After years of fighting on behalf of the environment through campaigning and direct action, I found myself responsible for creating an office for the organization that modeled our mission statement and reduced our contributions to global warming through our own energy consumption.  Essentially, it was my job to make sure that Greenpeace was "walking the talk."

During construction, we used building materials that represented Greenpeace's values.  Doors made of compressed straw, floors made from reclaimed wood, countertops made of recycled yogurt containers and a commitment to materials that do not contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are but a few of the choices we made.  We also used the best available technology and design options to reduce our energy consumption and minimize our contribution to global warming.  Our open floor plan makes our space more efficient to heat and light. We purchased appliances such as copiers and refrigerators with the highest available ratings for energy efficiency.  We employ energy efficient lighting throughout the office, as well as daylight sensors that dim overhead fixtures during sunny days and maximize our use of natural light. We installed solar panels on the roof that heat our hot water and supply electricity.  After doing everything we could to reduce and offset our energy consumption on site, we purchased electricity generated by wind farms that now provide Greenpeace's remaining energy needs.

The essence of what we did at the Greenpeace office can probably best be summarized in our main lobby, where one finds a tribute to activists who, throughout history, have given their lives fighting for their beliefs.  Inscribed on a full-length glass panel is a quote from Gandhi that states, "If you want to change the world, be that change".

Bill Richardson is the governance director for Greenpeace USA.  He has worked for the organization 17 years and counting.