Editorial Contacts:
Colleen Kredell, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, 703-516-4146
Malika Harrison, Alcoa Foundation, 212-836-2610
Alcoa Foundation Helps U.S. Schools Identify More Than 20 Million Pounds of CO2 Savings
9,000 Participants Help Schools in Connecticut, Michigan, Texas and Washington State Win Grants Worth $9,000
New York – Alcoa Foundation and the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) announced today that six out of eight competing schools across Alcoa communities in Connecticut, Michigan, Texas, and Washington have won a total of $9,000 in grants after competing in a month-long educational energy conservation competition, ‘Make an Impact: Change Our 2morrow (CO2)’. Collectively, more than 9,000 participants committed to take actions in their daily lives that would save more than 20 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.
The Gilbert School in Winsted, Connecticut was named the grand prize winner and will receive a $5,000 grant for engaging the most students, teachers, families, and community members. Regional runner-up schools, Howell Middle School in Victoria, Texas; Kulshan Middle School in Bellingham, Washington; and the Nellie B. Chisholm Middle School in Montague, Michigan, will each receive $1,000 grants. Honorable mention and $500 grants were awarded to Northwestern Regional Middle School in Winsted, Connecticut and Whitehall Middle School in Whitehall, Michigan.
“All of the students and teachers who participated in this year’s schools challenge were impressive in their enthusiasm, determination and outreach,” said Paula Davis, President, Alcoa Foundation. “We are proud to recognize the winning schools with grants and congratulate all of the students on their terrific efforts.”
The Make an Impact: Change Our 2morrow (CO2) challenge is part of Alcoa Foundation’s commitment to address regional environmental challenges, improve energy efficiency and enhance global reforestation projects. The investment is aligned with Alcoa Foundation’s sustainability focus to reduce, recycle and replenish.
“The enthusiasm shown by these students was really awe-inspiring,” said Katie Mandes, C2ES Vice President of Community Engagement and Director of the Make an Impact program. “Solving our climate and energy dilemma will require a collective effort and there is clearly a role for individuals. We expect that these students will continue to make smart energy choices in their daily lives.”
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ABOUT ALCOA FOUNDATION
Alcoa Foundation is one of the largest corporate foundations in the U.S., with assets of approximately US$446 million. Founded more than 50 years ago, Alcoa Foundation has invested more than US$550 million since 1952. In 2011, Alcoa Foundation contributed more than US$20 million to nonprofit organizations throughout the world, building innovative partnerships, engaging its people to improve the environment and educating tomorrow’s leaders. The work of Alcoa Foundation is further enhanced by Alcoa’s thousands of employee volunteers who share their energy, passion and purpose to make a difference in the communities where Alcoa operates. Through the company’s signature Month of Service program, in 2011, a record 56 percent of Alcoa employees took part in more than 1,200 events across 24 countries, reaching 81,000 children, serving 9,000 meals, planting 34,000 trees and supporting 1,800 nonprofit organizations. More information can be found at www.alcoafoundation.com
ABOUT C2ES
The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) is an independent non-profit, non-partisan organization promoting policy and action to address the twin challenges of energy and climate change. Launched in November 2011, C2ES is the successor to the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, long recognized in the United States and abroad as an influential and pragmatic voice on climate issues.
ABOUT MAKE AN IMPACT
The Make an Impact program helps individuals learn how to live more sustainably through the use of educational tools and hands on experience. To date, Make an Impact has directly engaged more than 100,000 individuals and collectively identified more than 80 million pounds of greenhouse gas savings. The program features:
- A custom-built carbon calculator with individual carbon footprint analysis.
- A dynamic website with tips, tools and resources on how to reduce energy bills and live more sustainably.
- A comprehensive outreach program of educational workshops and hands-on activities to support local action.
The Make an Impact: Change Our 2morrow (CO2) program promotes energy efficiency through a fun and engaging online competition, which features educational resources about energy conservation and an interactive carbon calculator.
To find out more about Make an Impact, how your company or organization can sign on or to measure your own carbon footprint, visit www.alcoa.com/makeanimpact.