Residents click, measure, pledge action to reduce environmental impact

Edmonton, July 17, 2008 – Whether it’s baby steps or giant leaps, the City is helping residents measure their progress in reducing their environmental impact through an online carbon footprint calculator.

The calculator, produced in partnership with Toronto-based Zerofootprint Inc., calculates Edmontonians’ specific carbon footprint in five main areas: energy, water, travel, yard and waste. The site also includes a green marketplace guide, environmental news and events, discussion groups and more.

“Everyone wants to do their part to help the environment,” says Mark Brostrom, Director, Policy and Strategic Planning, Office of Environment and Energy. “This tool will help people determine what their environmental footprint is and more importantly, it will help them determine the best way to reduce it. The City is committed to reducing its own footprint; we want to empower citizens do the same.”

“We applaud the City of Edmonton and their commitment to addressing climate change,” says Deborah Kaplan, Executive Director, Zerofootprint. “With this tool, citizens will be able to measure their carbon footprint, manage it and link around shared environmental goals to take real action on the ground.” Zerofootprint is a non-profit company that provides information, products and services to consumers and businesses who wish to reduce their environmental impact.

Residents are asked to register their commitment to take at least two new environmentally-friendly actions by June 2009. This date coincides with the arrival in Edmonton of the 2009 ICLEI World Congress on local environmental excellence. Registrants are eligible for monthly prizes such as programmable thermostats, push mowers, solar re-chargers, transit passes and the grand prize of a hybrid car lease for one year.

You can access the calculator via the City’s website.

The calculator supports EcoVision Edmonton’s vision of an environmentally sustainable city. Go Green! It’s Our Nature is the theme of a new campaign to encourage citizens to take more environmentally friendly actions by June 2009.

Zerofootprint educates, mobilizes and empowers large groups to reduce their collective carbon and ecological footprint. Zerofootpint targets cities, universities, and large organizations with its solutions and spearheads environmental educational initiatives for youth and children across the globe. This year, Zerofootprint came in first place and won “gold” at the prestigious Canadian Environmental Awards for the “Climate Change” category. To learn more, visit Zerofootprint.

About Edmonton:

This is a city alive with energy and boundless opportunity – a growing economic powerhouse where business thrives and more than a million lives enjoy the freedom to explore, experiment, experience, excel and expect the most out of every day. A place like no other, Edmonton is filled with surprises great and small and a calendar packed with artistic, sporting, theatrical and cultural celebration.

Edmonton, proud home of the University of Alberta for 100 years

For more information on Edmonton, visit: www.edmonton.ca.