Chase, Dell, Lenovo, MySpace, Nestle Waters, RecycleBank, smart USA, Target and Timberland Collaborate to Deliver Simple, Practical Energy-Saving Solutions NEW YORK, June 5
NEW YORK, June 5 /PRNewswire/ -- World Environment Day -- Leading
businesses, US cities nationwide and respected non-profit organizations today
joined with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, New York City Mayor
Michael R. Bloomberg and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to launch "Together"
(www.together.com) -- the largest-ever consumer engagement campaign on climate
change.
Together unites brands, cities and non-profits to make it easier for every
American to fight climate change. Together partners are committed to
delivering and promoting simple, practical solutions that will help people
save energy, save money and save the planet.
New research* released today shows that while Americans are more willing
than ever to change their behavior to do something about climate change, the
majority still do not know exactly what to do. Together delivers clear and
simple steps people can take to help reduce their impact on the planet.
"Protecting our environment is a job that belongs to each one of us. It
means more than companies changing their practices or governments changing
their policies. It means each person finding ways to change the little things
in our lives that will in turn have a huge positive impact on the world around
us. Together will help make this possible," said California Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger. "By making it easier and more affordable for Americans to
fight climate change, we are taking a giant step towards a brighter and
cleaner future. I extend my best wishes for every success in saying 'Hasta la
Vista' to climate change."
Together is an initiative of The Climate Group, a global, independent
non-profit organization dedicated to building public-private partnerships to
find solutions to climate change. Together first launched in the UK in 2007
with the help of then Prime Minister Tony Blair. To date, Together solutions
in the UK have helped consumers save 522,000 tonnes of CO2 and over $200
million on household energy bills.
"Climate change is a global issue that requires a global response," said
Dr. Steve Howard, CEO of The Climate Group. "Following a successful first year
in the UK, we're proud to announce the US launch of Together. With plans for
an international rollout to Australia, China and India, Together is poised to
engage citizens of the biggest greenhouse gas-emitting nations in the world."
Companies including Chase, the campaign's founding corporate partner, as
well as Dell, Lenovo, MySpace, Nestle Waters, RecycleBank, smart USA, Target
and Timberland, seven cities across the country and non-profit organizations
including ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, The American Red Cross
in Greater New York, Climate Counts, Global Footprint Network, Mercy Corps,
National Wildlife Federation and The Center for a New American Dream have
joined Together, with dozens of additional partners set to join in the coming
months. MTV, News Corporation and Time Warner have joined the campaign as
media partners.
Together will promote simple products, services and initiatives that yield
measurable energy-saving results, and the campaign will clearly show how,
together, these small actions make a big difference. The "Togetherizer," an
online aggregator at www.together.com, will tally the combined efforts of
everyone who adopts a Together solution, demonstrating the real savings --
both in CO2 and in dollars -- that the campaign delivers directly to
consumers. Environmental Resources Management (ERM), an independent,
third-party validator, will verify CO2 savings for every Together solution.
"Chase is pleased to be the founding sponsor of the Together campaign in
championing opportunities that partner governments, companies and consumers in
efforts that will help protect the environment," said William Daley, JPMorgan
Chase Midwest Vice Chairman and Head of the Office of Corporate
Responsibility. "In serving our clients, customers, shareholders, employees
and communities, we are using our intellectual capital to invest in
environmentally sustainable solutions. Working together, we can help consumers
reduce their impact on the planet."
Through Together's alliance with the City of New York, the campaign's
founding city partner, as well as Boston, Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas, Los
Angeles and Seattle, participating mayors are committing to collaborate with
brands and non-profits to create custom programs that enable city residents to
help fight climate change.
"The philosophy of 'Together' is a perfect fit with New York City's own
approach to dramatically shrinking our carbon footprint -- the goal that is at
the heart of our 'PlaNYC' sustainability agenda," said Mayor Bloomberg. "New
Yorkers are deeply concerned about climate change. They want to do all they
can in their own homes and communities to make a difference and we're
committed to providing them the opportunities to do just that."
Target became one of the first corporate partners to roll out Together
solutions by making reusable shopping bags and energy-efficient light bulbs
available at all of its stores. While these solutions will help Target guests
reduce their impact on the planet, it is only the beginning. The retailer also
announced that it will offer more than a dozen Together solutions and
demonstrated its commitment to fighting climate change by giving away 15,000
reusable bags and coupons worth $2 off the price of energy-efficient bulbs at
the campaign launch.
"At Target, we're passionate about the importance of public/private
partnerships as each party brings unique capabilities and knowledge to the
table to strengthen our communities," said Nate Garvis, Vice President for
Government Affairs, Target. "Our partnership with The Climate Group and
support of the Together campaign are natural extensions of this philosophy and
we look forward to collaborating to amplify our guests' support of the
environment."
MySpace and smart USA are collaborating with Together to deliver an online
initiative to raise awareness and accelerate action around the fight against
climate change. The companies will launch a competition on July 4, 2008 to
give away a smart fortwo car to the MySpace user who refers the most friends
to www.myspace.com/jointogether.
MTV is partnering with Together to broaden consumer awareness on how to
end climate change through its "Break The Addiction" pro-social initiative.
The network's thinkMTV 12-step campaign launched on Earth Day 2006, and aims
to educate and empower young people to make daily choices that improve their
lives and simultaneously curb the impact of global warming and preserve our
environment.
Together has also joined forces with a diverse group of non-profit
organizations to extend the reach of the campaign. Together's founding
non-profit partner, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, has committed
to continually enlist and engage new city partners.
"Mayors and local government leaders have informed and inspired this
country's response to global climate change, but this challenge requires the
collective effort of entire communities," said Michelle Wyman, Executive
Director, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability. "ICLEI is thrilled to
serve as the founding non-profit partner for Together and engage individuals
in their communities' climate protection efforts."
"Climate change is the biggest social, environmental and economic
challenge of our lifetime," said environmental expert and press conference
moderator Simran Sethi. "It's essential that we act now -- and imperative that
we all participate -- in order to achieve lasting results. The Together
campaign unites the key drivers of change in our society, enabling each of us
to be a part of the solution."
For more information about partner solutions and to join the campaign,
visit www.together.com.
* New consumer research released today by The Climate Group and Lippincott
-- The number of people agreeing with the statement 'I am prepared to make
changes to my lifestyle to help reduce climate change' rose by 44% over
the past year -- up from 25% of people in 2007 to 36% in 2008.
-- The number of people agreeing with the statement 'It is clear to me
what I can personally do to reduce climate change' rose by less than
10% over the past year -- from 41% of people in 2007 to 45% in 2008.
May 2008 figures are based on consumer research conducted with 1,000
people over the age of 16 in the US, commissioned by The Climate Group, and
conducted by Lippincott. The comparable 2007 research was commissioned by The
Climate Group, funded by BSkyB and Lippincott, and conducted by Lippincott.
About The Climate Group
The Climate Group is an independent, nonprofit organization that works
with government and business leaders to accelerate the transition to a
low-carbon economy. Its coalition of leaders in government, business and other
nonprofit organizations has demonstrated that the emissions reductions needed
to slow climate change can be achieved while boosting profitability and
competitiveness. Companies, states, regions and cities around the world are
realizing there are significant economic as well as environmental advantages
of taking decisive action now. The Climate Group was founded in 2004 and now
has offices in the UK, the US, China, India and Australia. For more
information, please visit www.theclimategroup.org.
About Chase
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services
firm with assets of $1.6 trillion and operations in more than 60 countries.
The firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers,
small business and commercial banking, financial transaction processing, asset
management, and private equity. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial
Average, JPMorgan Chase serves millions of consumers in the United States and
many of the world's most prominent corporate, institutional and government
clients under its JPMorgan and Chase brands. JPMorgan Chase is committed to
investing in education, economic opportunity, development and environmental
programs that enable people and communities to thrive. Information about the
firm and its environmental policy is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.
About Dell
Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative
technology and services they trust and value. Uniquely enabled by its direct
business model, Dell is a leading global systems and services company and No.
34 on the Fortune 500. For more information, visit www.dell.com, or to
communicate directly with Dell via a variety of online channels, go to
www.dell.com/conversations. To get Dell news direct, visit www.dell.com/RSS.
About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) develops, manufactures and markets
high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services
worldwide and is dedicated to building the world's best-engineered personal
computers. Formed by Lenovo Group's acquisition of the former IBM Personal
Computing Division, Lenovo's heritage in both emerging and developed markets
has resulted in a New World Company business model where ideas, operations and
resources are borderless and mobile. With four operational hubs in Beijing,
Raleigh, Singapore and Paris, Lenovo has major research centers in Yamato,
Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina, as
well as a marketing center in Bangalore, India. For more information, see
www.lenovo.com.
About MySpace
MySpace, a unit of Fox Interactive Media Inc., is the premier lifestyle
portal for connecting with friends, discovering popular culture, and making a
positive impact on the world. MySpace has created a connected global community
by integrating web profiles, blogs, instant messaging, e-mail, music
streaming, music videos, photo galleries, classified listings, events, groups,
college communities, and member forums. MySpace's international network
includes more than 20 localized community sites in the United States, Brazil,
Canada, Latin America, Mexico, Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Australia, India, Japan, and New Zealand. Fox Interactive Media is a division
of News Corp. (NYSE: NWS - News, NWS.A - News; ASX: NWS - News, NWSLV - News).
About News Corporation
News Corporation (NYSE: NWS, NWS.A; ASX: NWS, NWSLV) had total assets as
of December 31, 2007 of approximately US$69 billion and total annual revenues
of approximately US$31 billion. News Corporation is a diversified
entertainment company with operations in eight industry segments: filmed
entertainment; television; cable network programming; direct broadcast
satellite television; magazines and inserts; newspapers and information
services; book publishing; and other. The activities of News Corporation are
conducted principally in the United States, Continental Europe, the United
Kingdom, Australia, Asia and the Pacific Basin. In May 2007, News Corporation
announced its company-wide commitment to helping solve the climate problem by
reducing its own emissions and engaging its employees, business partners, and
audiences on energy and climate change issues. More information is available
at www.newscorp.com/energy.
About Nestle Waters North America
Nestle Waters North America Inc. is the number one bottled water company
in the U.S. Its family of 15 well-known brands includes Poland Spring(R)
Brand Natural Spring Water, the leading spring water brand in America.
Consumers around the U.S. enjoy other popular regional brands such as
Arrowhead(R), Deer Park(R), Ice Mountain(R), Ozarka(R) and Zephyrhills(R).
Nestle Waters North America also imports globally recognized bottled water
brands such as Perrier(R) and S. Pellegrino(R). The company is related to
Nestle Waters, based in Paris, the bottled water division of the Swiss
company, Nestle, S.A. About Nestle Waters North America Sustainability
Commitment: Nestle Waters North America spring water brands come from
carefully selected spring sources that are honored for their great-tasting
water. These brands have a long history of sustainability. They are dedicated
to creating beverages that are good for consumers, and they are committed to
moving toward a lighter environmental footprint, from source to bottle.
About RecycleBank
RecycleBank is a rewards program that motivates people to recycle. It
does this by quickly and easily measuring the amount of material each home
recycles and then converting that activity into RecycleBank Reward Points that
can be used at hundreds of local and national rewards partners. RecycleBank
is simple to implement, market-driven and proven to work, saving
municipalities' money and rewarding citizens for their environmental
stewardship. Kleiner, Perkins, Caulfield and Byers, RRE Ventures, The Westly
Group and Sigma Partners are institutional shareholders and Ron Gonen, the
co-founder and CEO is the largest individual shareholder. RecycleBank is
headquartered in New York City and also maintains an office in Philadelphia.
Visit www.recyclebank.com for more information.
About smart USA
smart USA Distributor LLC, headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, is
the exclusive distributor of the smart fortwo in the United States and Puerto
Rico and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group, Inc. The
smart fortwo is a brand of and is manufactured by Daimler AG. This
technologically advanced vehicle achieves 41 mpg on the highway and is an
ultra-low emissions vehicle, as certified by the State of California Air
Resources Board. The vehicle is 8.8 feet long, 5.1 feet tall and 5.1 feet wide
and comes equipped with many functional and safety features found in many
luxury models. smart is currently sold in 36 other countries, and more than
900,000 smart fortwos have been sold since 1998. The 2008 smart fortwo is
available in three trim levels ranging in price from $11,590 to $16,590*. For
more information visit the smart USA website -- www.smartusa.com. smart is a
registered trademark of Daimler AG. *For 2008 models. Excludes tax, title,
registration, destination charge, options and other dealer fees.
About Target
Minneapolis-based Target serves guests at 1,613 stores in 47 states
nationwide by delivering today's best retail trends at affordable prices.
Target is committed to providing guests with great design through innovative
products, in-store experiences and community partnerships. Whether visiting a
Target store or shopping online at Target.com, guests enjoy a fun and
convenient shopping experience with access to thousands of unique and highly
differentiated items. Target (NYSE: TGT) gives more than $3 million a week to
its local communities through grants and special programs. Since opening its
first store in 1962, Target has partnered with nonprofit organizations, guests
and team members to help meet community needs. For more information, please
visit www.target.com.
About ThinkMTV
ThinkMTV is the umbrella for MTV's on-air, off-air and online pro-social
campaigns that engage, educate and encourage young people to take action on
some of the biggest challenges facing their generation. The backbone for MTV's
pro-social efforts is Think.MTV.com, an online community where young people,
their friends and some of the biggest names in pop culture come together to
effect positive social change. The Think Community is dynamic,
multimedia-driven and enables youth to easily learn more about the issues that
matter to them most, share their opinions -- via uploaded online videos,
podcasts and blogs -- and connect with others to make a difference. The site
is one of the only to reward members for positive actions taken online or off,
serving up chances to hang out with socially conscious celebs, access to
exclusive MTV events, exposure on MTV and other national media outlets, as
well as grants, scholarships and more. Think.MTV.com was founded in
partnership with the Case Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,
Goldhirsh Foundation and MCJ Amelior Foundation. For more information or to
build a profile and become involved, visit Think.MTV.com.
About Timberland
Timberland (NYSE: TBL) is a global leader in the design, engineering and
marketing of premium-quality footwear, apparel and accessories for consumers
who value the outdoors and their time in it. Timberland markets products under
the Timberland(R), Timberland PRO(R), SmartWool(R), Timberland Boot
Company(TM), Howies(R) and IPATH(R) brands, all of which offer quality
workmanship and detailing and are built to withstand the elements of nature.
The company's products can be found in leading department and specialty stores
as well as Timberland(R) retail stores throughout North America, Europe, Asia,
Latin America, South Africa and the Middle East. Timberland's dedication to
making quality products is matched by the company's commitment to "doing well
and doing good" -- forging powerful partnerships among employees, consumers
and service partners to transform the communities in which they live and work.
To learn more about Timberland, please visit www.timberland.com.
About Time Warner
Time Warner is a leading media and entertainment company whose businesses
include interactive services, cable systems, filmed entertainment, television
networks and publishing.
About ICLEI -- Local Governments for Sustainability
ICLEI -- Local Governments for Sustainability is a membership association
of local governments committed to advancing climate protection and sustainable
development. Since its inception in 1990, ICLEI has grown to include nearly
1,000 cities in the world, more than 400 of which are in the United States. At
ICLEI our mission is to build, serve, and drive a movement of local
governments to advance deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and achieve
tangible improvements in local sustainability. For more information, please
visit www.icleiusa.org.
About The American Red Cross in Greater New York
The American Red Cross in Greater New York is a key humanitarian partner
and a vital participant in New York's plans and programs to help the 9 million
people in New York City and Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Sullivan counties
prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The Chapter provides
immediate aid to more than 100,000 people affected by 3,000 emergencies a
year, including fires, floods, building collapses and power outages. Given the
uncertainties of today's world, the Chapter is accelerating its collaboration
with partner agencies to develop and implement readiness plans to respond to
major natural and human-caused disasters. The Chapter also helps New York
residents and businesses prepare for emergencies by offering hundreds of
courses in first aid, CPR and aquatics and free emergency preparedness
training programs and resources. For more information, call 1-877 REDCROSS
(1-877-733-2767), or visit www.nyredcross.org.
About The Center for a New American Dream
The Center for a New American Dream helps Americans consume responsibly to
protect the environment, enhance quality of life, and promote social justice.
We work with individuals, institutions, communities, and businesses to
conserve natural resources, counter the commercialization of our culture, and
promote positive changes in the way goods are produced and consumed. Visit us
at www.newdream.org.
About Climate Counts
Climate Counts is a non-profit campaign that scores companies annually on
the basis of their voluntary action to reverse climate change. The Climate
Counts Company Scorecard -- launched in June 2007 -- helps people vote with
their dollars by making climate-conscious purchasing and investing choices
that put pressure on the world's most well-known companies to take the issue
of climate change seriously. Launched by organics pioneer Stonyfield Farm,
Climate Counts believes everyday consumers can be the most important activists
in the fight against global warming. Updated Climate Counts company scores
were released on May 7, 2008. For more information, please visit
www.climatecounts.org.
About Global Footprint Network
Global Footprint Network is committed to fostering a world where all
people have the opportunity to live satisfying lives within the means of one
planet. Established in 2003, Global Footprint Network's mission is to advance
the use of the Ecological Footprint, a science-based sustainability tool that
measures how much of the Earth's resources we use, how much we have and who
uses what. The organization maintains National Ecological Footprint accounts
that work like bank statements, documenting whether we are living within our
ecological budget or consuming nature's resources faster than the planet can
renew them. Together with hundreds of individuals, 200 cities, 23 nations,
leading business, scientists, NGOs, academics, and 90 plus global Partners,
Global Footprint Network is advancing the science of Footprinting, applying it
to practical projects, sparking a global dialogue about a one-planet future,
and facilitating positive change.
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps works amid disasters, conflicts, chronic poverty and
instability to unleash the potential of people who can win against nearly
impossible odds. Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided more than $1.5 billion
in assistance to people in 106 nations. Supported by headquarters in North
America and Europe, the agency's global programs employ 3,500 staff worldwide
and reach more than 16.4 million people in more than 35 countries. Over the
past five years, more than 89 percent of the agency's resources have been
allocated directly to programs that help people in need. In the fall of 2008,
Mercy Corps will open the-first-of-its-kind Action Center to End World Hunger
in New York City. This represents Mercy Corps' commitment to radically alter
the way people think about the world and their role within it. For more
information, visit www.mercycorps.org.
About National Wildlife Federation
National Wildlife Federation(R) (NWF) is America's largest conservation
organization, inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children's
future. NWF unites individuals from diverse backgrounds through a grassroots
network of 4 million members and supporters, and is joined by 47 affiliated
state wildlife organizations. National Wildlife Federation's programs educate
and inspire people from all walks of life to protect wildlife and wildlife
habitat. NWF focuses its conservation work in three major areas to have the
biggest impact on the future of America's wildlife: confront global warming,
restore wildlife and wildlife habitat and connect people with nature. For more
information, please visit www.nwf.org.
EDITORS NOTE:
Additional comments from Together partners:
-- Dell Inc. chairman and CEO Michael Dell: "We are at a historic point in
time when the combined efforts of the ReGeneration -- people of all
ages around the world -- are coming together to protect our shared
Earth. In partnering with the Climate Group in launching Together,
we're helping the ReGeneration share meaningful actions that protect
our environment."
-- Lenovo Product Group SVP Fran O'Sullivan: "It is a new world, one in
which business, as arguably the most powerful institution on the
planet, must accept its responsibility to address the challenges we all
face. Lenovo is delighted to join Together and The Climate Group in
offering sustainable solutions to the climate change challenge."
-- MySpace CEO Chris DeWolfe: "MySpace is thrilled to be part of the
historic coalition that is the Together campaign. MySpace is about
connecting and empowering people -- and climate change is a problem
that will only be solved when individuals, organizations and
governments join forces. We are proud to help Together unite disparate
industries and empower individuals to drive society's progress towards
a more sustainable future."
-- Nestle Waters North America Inc. CEO Kim Jeffery: "As the beverage
company with the lightest environmental footprint in America, Nestle
Waters North America is happy to collaborate with The Climate Group and
members of the Together campaign to help us address climate change and
improve our sustainability. After mapping our carbon footprint, we
recognized that one of the most effective ways to reduce emissions was
using less plastic, and we designed our Eco-Shape bottle to use less
plastic than any other half-liter beverage bottle on store shelves.
That alone has reduced the company's carbon emissions by eight percent.
We look forward to announcing additional carbon mitigation initiatives
in the near future, as part of a dynamic partnership with The Climate
Group."
-- RecycleBank co-founder and CEO Ron Gonen: "RecycleBank is pleased to
partner with The Climate Group and Together. Every day, RecycleBank
gets closer to achieving its goal of motivating all households in the
United States and beyond to recycle. This partnership provides us the
opportunity to expand our impact on climate change at the individual
household level. That's a great message for us to share."
-- smart USA President Dave Schembri: "As a society, we need to reevaluate
our transportation decisions as we begin to realize that oil is a
limited resource and our decisions impact the environment and others
around us. smart USA is happy to partner with The Climate Group and
Together and showcase the smart fortwo as an innovative transportation
option today, offering outstanding fuel efficiency, industry-leading
safety advances and environmental responsibility. The smart fortwo is
simply the right car at the right time and is the perfect vehicle for
the Together campaign."
-- Timberland President and CEO Jeffrey Swartz: "We will realize real,
positive, sustainable environmental impact when and only when we make
the climate change conversation relevant and meaningful to consumers.
We believe Together's model for meeting this mission, by convening
like-minded organizations to promote simple, practical energy- and
earth-saving solutions, is absolutely dead on -- and we're proud to be
among those driving this critical campaign."
-- Time Warner Vice President, Corporate Citizenship Michele Sacconaghi:
"Time Warner is committed to conducting our businesses in an
environmentally responsible and proactive manner. Whether through our
long history of sustainable forestry initiatives, our leadership in
efforts to recycle magazines or being the first movie studio to put up
solar panels, we believe it's essential for everyone to find ways to
address climate change. The companies, non-profits and government
leaders behind Together have a tremendous opportunity to transform
individual action into global change. Time Warner is pleased to be able
to join this effort as a media partner."
-- Boston Mayor Thomas Menino: "The City of Boston is excited about the
partnership that the Together campaign is creating among cities,
non-profit organizations, and major corporations to bring to our
residents additional tools for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in
their daily activities and limiting the risks of climate change. The
City of Boston is already setting an example by reducing municipal
energy use, expanding single-stream recycling, initiating the Solar
Boston project, and purchasing alternative-fuel vehicles, among many
other measures. We look forward to working with The Climate Group,
ICLEI, Mayor Bloomberg and all the other partners on this valuable
effort."
-- Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley: "An important part of Chicago's efforts
to be the most environmentally friendly city in the world is to
understand the effects of climate change on our city. Programs like
Together remind us that we all share the responsibility for global
warming, and we all can be part of the solution."
-- Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman: "Las Vegas was named the American
City of the Year at the World Leadership Awards in London, largely due
to our efforts in sustainability. We have demonstrated leadership with
a number of programs aimed at protecting our environment today and into
the future. They range from having 90 percent of our vehicle fleet run
on alternative fuels, to how we build new city facilities, to the ways
we conserve water and power."
-- Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa: "In Los Angeles, we are
doing our part to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 35% below 1990
levels by 2030 because our future as a great global city depends on our
willingness to meet the challenges of global climate change. I am proud
to support Together and The Climate Group because it will take everyday
people, business and government to solve this problem."
-- Miami Mayor Manny Diaz: "Climate change is one of the most important
challenges facing the world today, yet there is so much each and every
one of us can do. The Climate Group's Together campaign is an
opportunity for all of us to effect real change in our lives and our
world."
-- Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels: "Fighting global warming starts with
individual decisions. That's why I'm proud to support the Together
partnership. Our experience in Seattle shows that people are eager to
respond to the climate crisis when provided the information and tools
to make a difference."
-- The American Red Cross in Greater New York CEO Theresa Bischoff:
"Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is also a
humanitarian issue. We applaud the Together campaign's efforts to meet
this challenge. A key part of our mission is disaster prevention,
including doing what we can to protect against climate risks like
floods, storms, droughts and new diseases. But we must also commit
ourselves to being truly prepare for when disaster does strike,
including increasing our efforts to help our most vulnerable
communities."
-- The Center for a New American Dream Executive Director Lisa Wise:
"Center for a New American Dream is thrilled to help launch Together.
We believe in the power of conscious consumers to change the world, and
see Together as an ideal vehicle to help real people feel connected to
real solutions to climate change. Together helps citizens rise up in
their communities, lifting voices and making personal decisions that
influence government and corporate policies and lower personal carbon
footprints."
-- Climate Counts Project Director Wood Turner: "At Climate Counts, we
believe strongly that the world's largest corporations should
demonstrate a clear commitment to addressing climate change.
Corporations have a tremendous opportunity to lead consumers and help
them understand why substantive action on global warming is critical.
The Climate Group's Together campaign reinforces the idea that
addressing climate change, energy efficiency, and waste reduction is
not only critical for our communities and our planet; it is also one of
the most important ways for forward-thinking businesses to save money."
-- Global Footprint Network Executive Director Mathis Wackernagel, Ph.D.,:
"Climate change is one of the most significant indicators of ecological
overshoot, and curbing climate change is essential to creating a world
where everyone can live well and live within the means of one planet.
The Together campaign recognizes that while the scale of this challenge
is enormous, all of us pulling together toward this common goal, making
low-carbon choices in our home and work lives, can turn the tide
towards a sustainable future. We are proud to be a part of this
effort."
-- Mercy Corps CEO Neal Keny-Guyer: "We see that climate change is a very
unjust, discriminatory mega-force challenge. While it impacts us all,
it impacts the poor and the vulnerable most, especially the bottom
billion. Those folks who live on less than a dollar a day! While it
impacts citizens least responsible -- the people of Africa -- the most.
When global warming triggers famine through flooding and drought or the
spread of infectious diseases such as malaria and dengue, the poor
suffer most."
-- National Wildlife Federation Vice President for Education Kevin J.
Coyle: "Americans must learn to see the climate crisis as real and that
it presents unprecedented opportunities to clean up the environment and
restore nature via the creation of better jobs, new technologies,
improved profits, and a higher quality of life. Adequately preparing
people to seize these opportunities is a key part of the solution. The
National Wildlife Federation looks forward to working with Together
participants at the national and local level to help millions of
students, administrators, teachers and parents reduce the carbon
emissions from their daily activities on university and school
campuses."
SOURCE The Climate Group
