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
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.?
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. http://www.c2es.org
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.
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
Colleen Kredell,
703-516-4146
or
Alcoa Foundation
Malika Harrison,
212-836-2610
