1. More efforts are being made toward environmentally safe work places. An environmental policy research organization has done that in Washington, D.C. The World Resources Institute re-designed its office to make it safer for people and the environment. This newly-designed office is called a "green" office.
2. The newly designed office was made with environmentally safe building materials instead of building products that are harmful to the environment. For example, the floor of the office is made of bark(树皮)from a cork tree. The bark of a cork tree will renew itself so the tree does not die. The cork floor also feels good to stand on.
3. The floor in another part of the office is made of bamboo(竹子). Bamboo is a fast-growing grass that quickly replaces itself. Other areas of the floor are covered with carpeting. However, unlike many offices, the carpet was made without harmful chemicals.
4. Storage areas in the office are made from the crushed shells of sunflower seeds. The office doors are made from pressed wheat straw. Wheat straw is an agriculture waste product that would normally be burned. That process adds chemicals to the atmosphere.
5. World Resources Institute officials also chose lighting and other electrical equipment that use less energy. And, they improved their communication systems. New video communication equipment lets workers see and talk to people in other cities. The new equipment was added to reduce the amount of travel by office workers. That reduces the amount of harmful gases that are released into the atmosphere by cars or planes.
6. The organization's officials also announced a plan that would reduce harmful carbon dioxide gases from their office by the year 2005.
7. World Resources Institute officials say the cost of building a "green" office is similar to that of a traditional office. They say building more "green" offices could lead to a healthier environment. They say a healthy environment and a strong economy can exist together. The organization says it is creating a work environment that is better for people.