New Site Makes Carbon Footprints Fun (No, Seriously)

Non-profit Bonneville Environmental Foundation’s ShrinkYourFoot.org inspires individuals to reduce their environmental impact and support clean, renewable energy

PORTLAND, April 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Like fingerprints, every footprint is unique, and that’s equally true for carbon footprints. No two people produce the same amount of harmful carbon output each day, so to significantly reduce our collective emissions it’s important for each of us to understand our own impact on the environment.

Quantifying your personal impact is easy, but then what? When it comes to taking action, it can be hard to know what you can do to make a difference, or to understand exactly what constitutes clean, renewable energy and how your support for it can make a difference.

That’s why Portland-based non-profit Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) created ShrinkYourFoot.org, a new way to creatively, substantively, and humorously address these challenges. Designed as a one-stop resource to make environmental action more accessible and understandable, the site empowers visitors with the knowledge and resources they need to make a positive impact on the world - no matter their individual shade of green.

At ShrinkYourFoot.org, Web users can calculate their personal carbon footprint in realistic terms, and learn answers to questions we all ask:

    --  How do I make sense of my carbon footprint?
    --  Can I easily reduce my carbon footprint? Does it cost a lot of money?
    --  What’s a carbon offset? Are they for real?

"Let’s face it, carbon calculators and carbon offsets aren’t usually sexy or fun," says Margie Gardner, CEO of the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. "But they’re essential to make any inroads against greenhouse gas pollution. We created an original Web site to make things more understandable, and make corrective action easier. Everyone can easily see how choices we all make every day impact the environment, whether it’s reading gossip blogs, taking a shower, or watching Lost."

What’s more, the calculator lets visitors make adjustments over time to track how footprints change as routines change. At ShrinkYourFoot.org, visitors will find more than just a carbon calculator. Animated shorts, games, and plenty of easy-to-understand information about how to be more energy-efficient all add to the fun. Most importantly, ShrinkYourFoot.org also offers a way to proactively negate carbon emissions by purchasing carbon offsets (tax-deductible, of course!).

All carbon offsets purchased at ShrinkYourFoot.org are reinvested into the development of new sources of renewable energy, watershed restoration and energy education. For more information about BEF and its environmental programs, please visit www.ShrinkYourFoot.org or www.b-e-f.org.

The site was created pro bono by TEQUILA\, a TBWA Worldwide company. "It’s rare that an agency has the opportunity to work with a company whose ambition is nothing short of changing the world," noted Kristi VandenBosch, president of TEQUILA\, the creative agency known for its digital marketing on behalf of brands like Gatorade, Visa, Shutterfly, Nissan and Infiniti. "There’s a beautiful marriage of creativity and technology on www.ShrinkYourFoot.org; the innovative user experience lets you have fun while taking action."

About BEF

An entrepreneurial nonprofit, Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) is creating a more sustainable future by investing now in clean energy and fresh water. When customers purchase BEF’s independently certified carbon offsets, they support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the development of new renewable energy facilities. Additionally, their purchase supports long-term watershed restoration and renewable energy education for students and communities nationwide because BEF reinvests its net revenue to fund its 10-year Model Watershed and Solar 4R Schools programs. Since its founding in Portland, Ore. in 1998, BEF has been a pioneer in helping people and companies become better stewards of the environment. Learn more at www.b-e-f.org.

SOURCE Bonneville Environmental Foundation