Climate Matters Video Contest Launched

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Brighter Planet Contact
Robbie Adler
Outreach and Partnership Manager
(802) 458-0441 x306
robbie@brighterplanet.com

1Sky Contact
Sam Boykin
Fenton Communications
(212) 584-5000
sboykin@fenton.com

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 on Vimeo.com 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 Planet Visa credit cards or other services, visit www.brighterplanet.com.

About 1Sky