Blog
Sustainability Is a Daily Responsibility
Peter Cormier, Director of Sustainability
In recognition of Earth Day, Boldt’s Director of Sustainability reflects on today’s sustainability challenges and the mindset needed to keep moving forward.
If you stopped me in the hallway and asked what I think of Earth Day, my first response would probably be: Isn’t every day Earth Day? Shouldn’t we pause every day to consider our choices and their impact on the world around us?
I also recognize that Earth Day represents a moment to slow down, reflect and place more focus on the environmental and sustainability challenges we face in our daily lives, both big and small. It’s a reminder to appreciate the incredible world we live in — its beauty, its resilience and, at times, its vulnerability.
I’ve spent time reflecting on sustainability not from a mindset of, “We must do it this way,” but rather, “What is the challenge in front of us, and how can we continue to be better?” Those reflections tend to fall into three areas.
Building With Intention
As a construction company taking on increasingly complex projects, expanding our organization and seeking increased efficiency, it’s worth pausing to ask: “Is there a better way? Is there a more sustainable option?”
Sustainability isn’t about perfection or checking a box. It’s about thoughtful decision-making that balances cost, schedule, safety, risk and environmental responsibility. It’s being willing to question the status quo when the opportunity exists or parking lot an idea for the future. In many instances it may not be a “no” as much as a “just not yet”.
How Sustainability Shows Up Daily
Sustainability shows up in small, everyday actions: how we protect the environment on our project sites, seek continuous improvement and conduct ourselves. But it also extends to the choices we make at home, within our communities, (volunteering and community engagement) and support responsible and ethical growth as a society. Standing up for fairness, equity and safety — for people and communities — is just as much a part of sustainability as environmental stewardship.
Applying Technology Thoughtfully
With the rapid pace of technological advancement, sustainability remains a shared concern. The opportunity lies in how we use technology to support thoughtful, sustainable growth.
Technology can make our day-to-day work more efficient, allowing us to focus time and energy on the most meaningful challenges. Tools like data analytics and AI can help us question longstanding assumptions, explore new solutions and rethink what’s possible. In doing so, technology can also strengthen our human skillsets — particularly critical thinking and thoughtful application of these advancements.
Still, as with all things, progress requires balance, respecting lessons learned while remaining open to ideas.
A Mindset We Carry Forward
This Earth Day, I encourage all of us to be present; to notice the beauty around us, recognize what may be changing or threatened and appreciate earth’s resilience. Sustainability isn’t confined to one day on the calendar. It’s a mindset, a responsibility and an opportunity we carry forward every day.
About The Boldt Company
The Boldt Company (Boldt) is a leading professional construction services firm with customers across the United States and is a subsidiary of The Boldt Group. Founded in 1889, Boldt is an employee-owned firm headquartered in Appleton, Wis. Boldt is recognized as a pioneer in Lean construction and in the industrialized construction space. Boldt operates 17 offices across the U.S. that serve customers in healthcare, power, industrial, education, automotive and commercial markets.
