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I've just returned from Salzburg, Austria - yes, the home of Mozart and The Sound of Music! But don't worry, the trip wasn't all just singing "Edelweiss" and dressing in curtains with the Von Trapps. (Ok, there was none of that.)
SmartPower was actually in Austria to take part in the prestigious Salzburg Global Seminar. The Salzburg Global Seminar's mission is to "challenge present and future leaders to solve issues of global concern."
I had the honor of joining together with about 70 environmental leaders from around the world to take part in the Seminar's special session: "Combating Climate Change at Local and Regional Levels".
The conversations on climate change were dynamic. The action steps coming out of the event are progressive and inspiring. There is an acute understanding among participants that solutions for sustainability are only going to be practical when there is local and regional organization and involvement.
Of course, one of the many highlights of working with the Salzburg Global Seminar is that the entire event takes place at the 18th century castle, Schloss Leopoldskron. For pop culture fans, "The Schloss" famously served as home of the previously mentioned Von Trapp Family in the film The Sound of Music. But rest assured, I will try to keep references to the film at a minimum.
Indeed, the hills were alive (sorry, I can't help myself) with the sound of climate change solutions, clean energy technology ideas and energy efficiency tactics. As the many activists, academics and opinion makers talked during the week, it became obvious that this 300-year old "Schloss" is, itself, a tremendous waster of energy. The vastness of The Schloss alone caused many of us to question: "I wonder how much it costs just to heat this place?"
And to be sure, it needs a fair amount of work to become energy efficient, including a new heating system, insulation, new windows, and other upgrades. Admittedly these are big-ticket efficiency measures. However, if done properly they can have a very satisfactory payback period."
And taking a page from SmartPower's Energy Smart Campaign, there are number of simple yet significant steps that The Schloss can take to help save energy, and be more efficient with the energy that's used. As I discussed in my presentation, it can be as easy as turning off your computer. The Seminar's staff, like most of us, simply assumed that their computer was "off", when it was really on. But by providing people the correct information, we are able to inspire them to begin doing the small, easy, but important steps that can help lead everyone - even those living in a 300-year old palace - on the path to sustainability.
It was a wonderful week in Salzburg. But to be sure, the differences in our cultures were on full display. Perhaps the most striking being that in the U.S., when we talk about energy efficiency or conservation, people often roll their eyes and think "Oh great, next thing you know, I'll have to wear hemp!" But at The Schloss they roll their eyes and think, "oh boy, now we're going to have to wear the curtains again!"
Enjoy the newsletter, and have a great rest of the summer.
Let's get energy smart!
Brian F. Keane
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Discovery Communications, the company behind Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and numerous other media entities has now launched a 24-hour cable channel dedicated to eco-conscious entertainment.
The new channel, Planet Green, is where 50 million homes can now find an impressive lineup of unique, interesting and appealing programming that addresses various aspects of the climate and energy crisis we face.
The channel’s chief executive, David M. Zaslav told the New York Times “To be able to rebrand an existing channel and launch with over 50 million homes in 2008 is a big statement to where the world is today,”
One program viewers will find when they tune into Planet Green is Greensburg, an 18-part series produced by Leonardo DiCaprio that documents the rebuilding of the tornado-destroyed town in Kansas with the ironic, but iconic, community name.
Wa$ted is a lighthearted but poignant series where two friends visit real homes throughout the country to show Americans how to save money and the environment by doing simple things around the house (an idea we are particularly entertained by at SmartPower).
One show that’s sure to have a chance at getting the attention of young people around the country is Battleground Earth, with Motley Crue rocker Tommy Lee and Hip Hop star Chris “Ludacris” Bridges. On the show, the two notoriously wild recording artists tour the country competing in green challenges with hopes of bringing some added attention from young people to climate change solutions.
And our good friend and new SmartPower Board of Advisors member, Ed Begley Jr. has his popular reality program “Living with Ed” on Planet Green as well (perfect fit).
It’s great to see that the interests of television viewers and the creative capabilities of producers have made for an entertainment vehicle like Planet Earth to become a reality.
It shows that there are more people every day who want to learn to be energy smart!
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to learn how to sign up in your state. |
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SmartPower
info@SmartPower.org
202-775-2040
1120 Connecticut Ave., NW
Suite 1040
Washington, DC 20036
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He is widely known as an actor, activist, author and even a reality show star. In fact, Ed Begley Jr. has a lot on his resume.
And now it gives us great pleasure to announce that Ed Begley Jr. has joined the SmartPower team as a member of our Board of Advisors!
At SmartPower, we know that for decades—long before it was cool to be “green” in Hollywood—Ed has dedicated himself to showing others how to be smarter about the way we use energy and be better stewards of the environment.
Ed’s approach to talking about energy and the environment is a perfect fit with SmartPower’s message and philosophy. And as an actor recognized for a wide variety of work in movies like This Is Spinal Tap and Recount, as well as television shows from St. Elsewhere to Arrested Development, his ability to use some “star power” to tell SmartPower’s story is something we are all excited about.
“Years ago, people would poke fun at Ed Begley Jr. for his avid environmental practices,” said SmartPower President, Brian F. Keane. “However, time has shown that he has simply been ahead of the curve on energy and the environment. And while most people aren’t going to ride a stationary bike to power their home electronics like our good friend Ed does, everyone can buy clean energy for their homes and make other energy smart decisions. Clearly Ed is as committed as anybody to help make that happen.”
While Begley has been known for years to go above and beyond what even the not-so-average person does on a day-to-day basis to save energy (see the reality show “Living with Ed” on Planet Green), his attitude is playful, smart and straightforward.
A New York Times writer who reviewed “Living with Ed” described Begley and his approach to environmentalism as “too eccentrically charming for sanctimony.”
And a quote on Ed’s website from Robert Kennedy Jr., head attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, reads: “Ed has a greater sense of social obligation than anyone I know. He’s like a West Coast cadet who gets up every morning and says "reporting for duty".
Begley also understands how to make the points about energy efficiency that people want to hear. He recently told a reporter: “I’ve saved a lot doing all this stuff . . . Everything good I’ve done for the environment has been good for my pocketbook.”
So, when he isn’t displaying his acting chops in a new role, competing with his neighbor, Bill Nye the Science Guy, or showcasing his new eco-friendly cleaning products, look for Ed Begley Jr. to be working with SmartPower in contests, media messages and other projects.
We’re glad to have him. When it comes to getting energy smart, Ed’s at the head of the class.
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The news/blog website The Huffington Post has truly become a phenomenon.
When you visit the site you always get the latest articles and videos from numerous other news media outlets. You find articles from Huffington Post staff reporters, and you have access to of the sites many talented bloggers.
The ultra-popular web site (now getting close to 4 million hits a month) recently expanded its news coverage substantially. It now has an entire “green” news section where readers can catch up on clean energy news and other environmental issues.
And on any given day one can find blog posts on the Huffington Post homepage from members of congress, academics, performers and opinion makers—and even from SmartPower.
At the invitation of the editors of The Huffington Post, SmartPower has been asked to submit a regular column that focuses on how all of us can be a part of the climate change solution. We’ll be explaining some of SmartPower’s best marketing practices in clean energy and energy efficiency. And we’ll be explaining how buying clean energy, conserving energy and being energy efficient are actually easy steps that each American can do to be part of the climate change solution.
We call it being “Energy Smart”. Through our Energy Smart Campaign, we explain how each of us can take simple yet significant steps to help conserve energy and save ourselves some money.
“The Huffington Post is clearly at the forefront of ‘new media’,” said SmartPower Chief Operating Officer, Jonathan Edwards. “The opportunity for us to partner with The Huffington Post, and to potentially reach close to 4 million people in a given month is incredibly exciting. As we’ve seen in our own research, successful use of the new media is a requirement for helping to bring clean energy and energy efficiency to the market place. We’re counting on the Huffington Post to help make millions of people Energy Smart!”
Look for Brian F. Keane’s by-line to appear on the Huffington Post web site every two or three weeks. And by all means, leave feedback on the site, email the piece around to others and help everyone we can to get energy smart.
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Something new is coming to the SmartPower web site that we think you’ll enjoy.
This August, SmartPower will launch “The SmartPower Minute”! “SPM” is our regular video web cast that will offer some quick, useful and entertaining information on clean energy, energy efficiency and other Energy Smart ideas!
The home for SPM will be our SmartPower Blog, which features always interesting and well-written posts from SmartPower blogger Willy Ritch. But we’ll also be posting the SPM to YouTube and sharing them among our Facebook friends, etc.
Our debut SPM has Brian F. Keane “at the beach” sharing a clever hint on how to save a little money and energy this summer. Check it out. It will be the first episode of what will become a regular feature on the SmartPower website.
And most importantly, please tell us if you have an idea you think would make for a cool SmartPower Minute? Share it at Info@SmartPower.org.
Who knows, you could become an SPM Star!
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We want to take some space here to salute our friend and former Communications Director, Mike Garofalo, who has recently left SmartPower to pursue career goals in Numismatics. Mike has long held an interest in the science of coin collecting and appraisal and we wish him well in his endeavors.
Mike will be pursuing his new professional goals in the great state of Oklahoma, where his daughter will also be attending college.
During his time at SmartPower as communications director, Mike was at the center of our media strategy—networking to the press, crafting news releases, editing this newsletter and tending multiple other crucial tasks that are too numerous to list.
Mike also served as the manager of the Renewable Energy Marketers Association (REMA). As REMA manager, Mike saw through every step of the association’s development. He helped position it to be the organization it is today--poised to make a real impact on legislation that affects the voluntary market for clean energy.
Mike’s great sense of humor and professionalism, along with his intelligence and organizational skills will be greatly missed.
SmartPower would not be where it is today with out him.
Take care, Mike! And watch out for the cacti!
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This summer, our SmartPower office in Washington has had the pleasure and luxury of great work provided by two gifted interns. (Can we slow the summer down!?!)
Taylor Hornung and Amy Barber came to the capital fresh from Southern Illinois University Carbondale—a place that’s becoming a training ground for SmartPower talent. Amy just finished her bachelor’s degree in marketing, and Taylor is finishing her degree in radio/television broadcasting.
They have put much time and energy toward setting up some very cool SmartPower media projects that will be launched soon. And their energetic attitudes and friendly presence in the office have made for a productive summer in DC.
So thanks Taylor and Amy. We hope you return to Southern Illinois with a newfound dedication to helping others get Energy Smart.
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