Climate Matters Video Contest

Via an unsolicited email, I have learned of a video contest I thought I would share with Science Blogs readers. The contest "gives Americans an opportunity to inspire our next president to take bold climate action." I will quote the press release below, you can participate by producing a video or just by watching and sharing your favorites. The 10 most watched will win.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact
Leah Borkin
Fenton Communications
212 584 5000
Lborkin@fenton.com
Climate Matters Video Contest Launched
Brighter Planet and 1Sky Joined By Maggie Gyllenhaal and Others to Bring Americans' Hopes for Global Climate Action to the Next President

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 31 - Will you be the one who inspires our next President to take action on climate change? Brighter Planet and 1Sky are introducing the Climate Matters Video Contest to give Americans everywhere the opportunity to inspire our next president to take bold climate action.

"It's time we had a President who stood up to the climate challenge. Unfortunately, too many of our leaders continue to offer up half-measures when bold steps are required," said Gillian Caldwell, Campaign Director for 1Sky. "This contest is about inspiring our next President and Congress to take urgent action to tackle the climate challenge and create a healthy, clean energy economy."

The Climate Matters Video Contest provides all Americans with the chance to have their global climate change message seen by our next president and other political leaders. This October, the top 10 videos will be featured during a Washington, D.C.-based event for the media, Congress and both presidential campaigns. These top videos will also be broadcast to millions via Link TV, FSTV, and online at venues including: www.think.mtv.com, www.joost.com, www.huffingtonpost.com and www.quarterlife.com.

"We know Americans are inspired to take climate action; they're already taking steps everyday," said actress and Climate Matters juror Maggie Gyllenhaal. "I'm excited to see what people create."

The 10 most viewed videos will be judged by a panel that includes: actress Maggie Gyllenhaal; Rory Kennedy, Emmy award-winning documentary producer; Tia Lessin, the supervising producer of Fahrenheit 9/11 and Bowling for Columbine; Leila and Nadia Conners, the producers/directors of 11th Hour; author Anya Kamenetz; David Jenkins, Government Affairs Director of Republicans for Environmental Protection; Bill Stetson, Producer and Environmental Consultant; Gillian Caldwell, Campaign Director of 1Sky; and Patti Prairie, CEO of Brighter Planet. The winner of the Climate Matters Video Contest will receive a $3,000 Brighter Planet⢠Visa® Gift Card; the second and third place winners will receive $1,000 and $500 Brighter Planet Visa Gift Cards respectively.

"We named this contest 'Climate Matters' because it does--it matters to each of us and to our children," says Patti Prairie, CEO of Brighter Planet. "This contest offers Americans everywhere the opportunity to inspire political action on this pressing issue. Participate by making a video or voting with your views at our channel http://vimeo.com/climatematters."

To enter the Climate Matters Video Contest, contestants can upload a 30- or 60- second video encouraging bold climate change action to the Climate Matters channel on vimeo.com/climatematters. Videos must relate to the topic of climate change and be uploaded between now and September 22, 2008. The winners will be announced on September 29, 2008.

Contestants are encouraged to promote their videos to improve their chances of counting among the final top 10. Viewers can log in to Vimeo to pick their favorite video, as well as enter a drawing on the channel to win a Cannon VIXIA HDV Camcorder.

About Brighter Planet
Brighter Planet is a Vermont start-up committed to fighting climate change and building a clean energy future. Born out of a Middlebury College classroom, we are dedicated to demonstrating how small actions can lead to meaningful change. Our roots are social media. Our allies are innovative leaders who share our zeal to solve the climate crisis. Through our products, services, and expertise, we help you to reduce greenhouse gas-emitting activities, expand your use of green technologies, and build renewable energy projects. For more information on Brighter Planet or Brighter Planetä Visaâ credit cards or other services, visit brighterplanet.com.

About 1Sky
1Sky is a highly collaborative new national campaign in the United States catalyzing a society-wide movement in support of bold federal action to tackle global warming. The 1Sky policy platform represents the scientific bottom line - the solutions we must implement immediately to avert catastrophic climate change and transition to a green economy. The 1Sky strategy combines more than 100 allied organizations and tens of thousands of individuals nationwide in a campaign driven by powerful field and organizing, voter education, and Internet and communications strategies to communicate a highly visible public demand for Congress and the President to implement the 1Sky platform as quickly as possible. To find out more about 1Sky and the 1Sky Solutions, visit www.1sky.org.