embassy programs

2009 

U.S. Embassy Lisbon Celebrates Earth Day

Ambassador Stephenson planting a cork tree in front of the Embassy (Photo: Jorge Arcanjo, US Embassy)

April 22 - U.S. Ambassador to Portugal Thomas Stephenson and Ambassador Jose de Mello-Gouveia, Diplomatic Adviser to the Mayor of Lisbon, took turns with the ceremonial shovel planting two cork trees in the middle of a newly constructed sidewalk area in front of the U.S. Embassy. The Embassy cooperated closely with the City of Lisbon in designing and constructing this project.

Afterwards, the two Ambassadors – together with Victor Madeira, a long-time employee of the Embassy who heads up the Mission’s environmental committee -- spoke about the history and importance of Earth Day and working together to improve the environment. Ambassador Stephenson noted that due to the conservation and environmentally friendly measures implemented last year at the Embassy, we have reduced our carbon footprint by 230 tons over the last eight months of 2008, and closed by saying that “I hope the trees we planted today will serve as a reminder to generations to come that we got serious about energy consumption.”