Ben Roethlisberger, World Environment Day Leaders

Over the past several years, Pittsburgh has hosted one signature event each year—an event that’s drawn attention and visitors to our city: Pittsburgh Roars, Pittsburgh Celebrates Glass, Pittsburgh 250 and the G-20 Summit. And now, this year, Pittsburgh is hosting World Environment Day in June. These major events don’t happen by wishing. They come off because a lot of people plan and execute and many others put corporate and philanthropic dollars behind them.

We’re placing those involved in World Environment Day on the pedestal in this issue. This includes the Pittsburgh World Environment Day Partnership, co-chaired by Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato; Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl; Bayer Corp. President and CEO Greg Babe; and Sustainable Pittsburgh Executive Director Court Gould. Numerous local foundations have given financial support, as have Bayer, Calgon Carbon, Lanxess and UPMC. Bayer was instrumental in laying the groundwork, and the G-20 Summit surely led to the United Nations Environment Programming selecting Pittsburgh. Bayer, Calgon Carbon, Lanxess and UPMC are outstanding examples of the kind of business leadership that makes a region strong. While they’re involved all over the world, they’re committed to the necessity of progress in Pittsburgh. And they’re working to make that happen. We believe events such as World Environment Day and those which preceded it are a big reason why the perception of Pittsburgh has been changing in the eyes of the nation and the world. And we believe they should continue. So what’s the big plan for next year?