Families across Alberta came out today to participate in Project Porchlight, a community-based environmental campaign. With funding from sponsors such as EnCana Corporation, Project Porchlight is working to deliver 500,000 free compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs to households across Alberta with support from its sponsors.
In a massive bulb blitz in more than 15 communities, volunteers from the Alberta Junior Forest Warden Association (AJFWA) mobilized to help with the campaign. In each community, volunteers and staff from One Change, the organization that runs Project Porchlight, headed out to spread the message that saving money, conserving natural resources, and helping the environment can start with a simple action of changing a light bulb. More than five hundred volunteers delivered close to 20,000 over the course of the day.
CFL bulbs last eight times longer and are 75% more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs. Switching just one old-fashioned incandescent bulb to an energy-efficient 13-watt CFL bulb will also save $50 in electricity costs over five years.
“We all know that we have to make environmentally sustainable choices, and the light bulb is a great place to start,” said Stuart Hickox, executive director of One Change. “Once people change a bulb, they become part of the solution and want to do more.”
The main launch celebrations took place in Airdrie and Stony Plain. Enthusiastic volunteers helped to deliver bulbs, and a message about energy efficiency, to their friends and neighbours. In Airdrie, participants gathered at Towerlane Mall with Paul Story, Chairperson for the Calgary Region AJFWA Clubs; Airdrie Mayor Linda Bruce; and Lois Wozney, Advisor, Energy Efficiency Programs, EnCana Corporation. In Stony Plain, Mayor Ken Lemke, and Councillors Judy Bennett, Robert Twerdoclib and Darren Badry, were at the Town Hall Council Chambers for speeches and family activities. A similar launch event also took place in Bonnyville, where AJFWA volunteers handed out bulbs at the local Centennial Centre.
Immediately following the main launch events Project Porchlight and AJFWA volunteers visited town residents to deliver free CFL bulbs. Al Wardale, President of the AJFWA, expressed his excitement about taking part in the campaign: “Project Porchlight is an excellent opportunity for Alberta Junior Forest Warden Association members to help spread the message of energy conservation and how one change by each of us can make such a positive difference,” said Mr. Wardale. “Junior Forest Wardens are good stewards, with a great appreciation of the environment and natural resources and we are proud to help carry the message of Project Porchlight to Alberta residents.”
The campaign will continue through early 2008. Project Porchlight’s partners are Climate Change Central, Shaw Cablesystems, and the Alberta Junior Forest Warden Association. Albertans interested in volunteering or learning more about the campaign can visit the web site www.projectporchlight.com [1] or call 1-866-585-6359.
Participating AJFWA Communities:
Airdrie
Beaverlodge
Bonnyville
Clymont
Cold Lake
Delburne
Duffield-Evergreen
Edson
Hinton
Manning
Red Deer
Rocky Mountain House
Sherwood Park
Slave Lake
Smoky Lane
Stettler
Stony Plain
Tofield
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About Project Porchlight
One Change is a not-for-profit organization that runs Project Porchlight, a campaign to promote energy conservation. Project Porchlight’s goal is to get every household in Canada adopt energy-smart behaviours, starting with replacing one inefficient incandescent light bulb with an energy-efficient CFL bulb.
For more details or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Manon Crôteau, Manager of communications and outreach
One Change, 1-866-585-6359
manon@onechange.org [2]