Change a Light, Change the World Day (14. April 2007, 00:41 by Derek Young) ~ Will You Do It?

Mayor Baarsma has proclaimed that April 22nd is Tacoma’s Change a Light, Change the World Day. What does it mean to you? It’s simple. On this day, replace at least one incandescent bulb with a compact fluorescent, or some other Energy Star labeled, light bulb. According to the proclamation, a pledge to replace a bulb works, but I expect more from you… If each of us do our part, maybe we can make a difference.

Tacoma, Washington is Changing the World, One Light at a Time with ENERGY STAR®

(Tacoma, Washington – April 12, 2007) The City of Tacoma today announced a “first of its kind” crusade to protect the environment through the ENERGY STAR® Change a Light, Change the World campaign. Through the combined efforts of the Mayor, the Boys and Girls Club of South Puget Sound, JC Penney, Tacoma Power, Tacoma Rainiers, and New Energy Technology, citizens of Tacoma will pledge to replace at least one incandescent bulb or fixture at home with one that has earned the government’s ENERGY STAR label, thus reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Never before has such a diverse group of public and private entities come together with a single focus of protecting the environment by utilizing the ENERGY STAR campaign.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound are leading the community by setting a goal of 1,000 kids making a pledge. “Like many organizations, we want to do our part to create a better environment,” said Gary Yazwa of the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound. “Participating in this national campaign is both easy and effective. We are proud to spread the word about the simple steps individuals in our community can take to make a difference.” Every member of the Boys & Girls Club who takes the pledge will receive a free compact fluorescent light bulb provided by Tacoma Public Utilities. In addition, New Energy Technology will donate $1 to the South Puget Sound Boys and Girls Clubs for every pledge made by a Club member.

JC Penney, one of the largest corporate contributors to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and ENERGY STAR® 2007 Partner of the Year – Energy Management, is supporting this effort by taking pledges and distributing educational material at its store in Tacoma Mall. “At JC Penney we believe Every Day Matters, and with lighting accounting for about 20 percent of the typical home’s electricity use, switching to energy-efficient options is a significant way to reduce greenhouse gases, save energy and protect the environment for future generations.” said Keith Burke, JC Penney Store Manager.

In conjunction with this effort, Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma has proclaimed April 22, 2007 as Tacoma’s Change a Light, Change the World Day. “This program is a perfect fit for the City of Tacoma’s efforts to meet the emission standards of the Kyoto accords, conserve energy and address global warming. As Mayor, I applaud the effort and see it as an effective educational opportunity for our young people,” said Mayor Baarsma.

The campaign will begin on April 13 and end on Earth Day, April 22, 2007. The goal is to obtain 10,000 to 20,000 pledges; saving at least 2,820,000 kWh of electricity and preventing 4,460,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Tacoma Change A Light, Change the World partners will take an active role in encouraging individuals to make a simple, yet meaningful commitment by taking the online ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge. To be part of Tacoma Change A Light, Change the World efforts, take the pledge online at www.change-a-light.org.

“Committing to change the world takes less time and energy than you might think. In fact, it can start with simply changing a light,” said Wendy Reed of the Environmental Protection Agency. “Organizations like the The Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound are an important part of the ENERGY STAR Change a Light community who have committed their time to help us spread the word about the ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge and we are proud to work with them, and with the thousands of Americans who’ve already taken the pledge to make a difference for this generation and those to come.”

The ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge is already having a dramatic impact. To date, 485,188 individuals have pledged to change 970,033 bulbs to ENERGY STAR qualified ones, which will avoid using 273,549,306 kWh of energy, prevent 431,664,685 lbs of GHG emissions, and save $27,354,931 in energy costs.

The ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World campaign is a national challenge sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, to encourage Americans to consider the energy they use and to switch to light bulbs and fixtures that have earned the government’s ENERGY STAR for energy efficiency.

*About ENERGY STAR® *
ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce air pollution through increased energy efficiency. Today, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy, the ENERGY STAR program offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy and money, and help protect our environment for future generations. More than 8,000 organizations have become ENERGY STAR partners and are committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).