EPA Teams Up With DoSomething.org and LG Electronics to Engage Youth in Helping Their Families Save Energy at Home

Initiative Uses Dr. Seuss' the Lorax to Get Youth Excited in Energy Saving Efforts

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Jun 12, 2012, 11:08 ET

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced the launch of Team ENERGY STAR^®,a new, exciting initiative from EPA's ENERGY STAR program developed to engage and educate American youth and their families about saving energy in the home.

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Team ENERGY STAR empowers kids to help protect the climate through easy-to-implement, money-saving actions and provides them an outlet for sharing their passion for preserving our environment. And, with Dr. Seuss' the Lorax as the engaging theme for Team ENERGY STAR, kids can learn and have fun at the same time.

DoSomething.org, one of the largest organizations in the U.S. for teens and social change, and LG Electronics USA, have joined EPA in this effort by running their own Team ENERGY STAR Challenge. Kids are encouraged to share their energy-savings stories and are recognized by EPA and provided additional rewards from DoSomething.org and LG.

"Team ENERGY STAR is a great way to involve young people in two critical issues of our time – saving energy and protecting the climate," said Sarah Dunham, Director of EPA's Office of Atmospheric Programs. "Engaging our country's youth in making a difference today will make a big difference in securing a cleaner, more sustainable future."

"Besides rocking a sweet moustache, the Lorax is an outstanding protector of the environment – just like our young people," said DoSomething.org's Campaigns Manager, April Wright. We've seen over and over again that our teens really care about the environment, which is why we were more than excited to help support Team ENERGY STAR."

James Fishler, Senior Vice President, Marketing, LG Electronics USA, said, "Team ENERGY STAR is an innovative initiative that will help families find creative ways to save energy and money while helping to save the planet. LG is proud to join forces with DoSomething.org on this fun challenge in which kids can earn the chance to win cool LG products like smartphones, TVs and computer monitors."

Kids can join Team ENERGY STAR by visiting energystar.gov/team where they will get easy-to-download educational and interactive materials, such as a comprehensive Action Kit, the ENERGY STAR Home Check-Up, a Lorax activity booklet, and a Lorax moustache-making kit. Kids are also encouraged to come back and share their stories about protecting the environment by saving energy where they will be showcased on energystar.gov/changetheworld and throughout social media.

Team ENERGY STAR is part of the multi-year, EPA campaign, Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR, developed to engage Americans of all ages in saving energy, money and protecting the environment with ENERGY STAR. If every American household took part in the Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR Pledge, we would: Save more than 126 billion kWh/yr of electricity, save $18 billion in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from 20 million cars.

About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR is a program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency helping us save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, ENERGY STAR has nearly 20,000 partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses and the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 65 product categories. In 2011 alone, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 41 million cars — all while saving $23 billion on their utility bills.

About DoSomething.org
We love teens. They are creative, active, wired...and frustrated that our world is so messed up. DoSomething.org harnesses that awesome energy and unleashes it on causes teens care about. Almost every week, we launch a new national campaign. The call to action is always something that has a real impact and doesn't require money, an adult, or a car. With a goal of 5 million active members by 2015, DoSomething.org is one of the largest organizations in the US for teens and social change. Join us at www.DoSomething.org.

About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $49 billion global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. LG Electronics, a 2012 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year, sells a range of stylish and innovative home entertainment products, mobile phones, home appliances, commercial displays, air conditioning systems and solar energy solutions in the United States, all under LG's "Life's Good" marketing theme. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.

SOURCE LG Electronics USA