Press Release - Brighter Planet

Learn about our Company

Fresh green solutions.

Brighter Planet makes it easier for anyone to get involved in the fight against climate change. Simply put, we help people manage their environmental footprint.

Our free social web application (brighterplanet.com) serves everyone, no matter their "greenness" or scientific interest. People measure their climate impact, discover tailored conservation tips to save energy and money, create emission-reducing strategies, and share their ideas and experiences. Visitors answer questions powered by a sophisticated emissions model and watch their carbon footprint-as individual as a fingerprint-emerge. Each footprint, unlike a fingerprint, changes over time as people learn to live more carbon free.

We believe in the power of community. Our web-based campaigns, such as the 350 Challenge, Climate Matters video contest, and #earthtweet tweet-a-thon, are fun ways for people to share and engage. We partner with a diverse range of organizations-large and small, for profit and non-profit-all united to support solutions to the climate crisis.

We offer products that people use in their daily lives, allowing them to become CO2 fighters. Our no-fee Brighter Planet Visa credit and debit cards earn innovative rewards that help build renewable energy projects. O ffsets by Brighte r Planet counteract unavoidable emissions from things like home energy or traveling to work or play.

Our members invest in the most reputable climate solutions. We search for wind turbines, cow power installations, and other clean energy projects that demonstrate community and social value while reducing greenhouse gases being pumped into the atmosphere. We pit project candidates against our stringent carbon offset policy and accept only those unanimously approved by the luminaries on our Project Selection Committee.

Our roots trace back to a Middlebury College environmental economics class project. Class ended, but Professor Jon Isham and students Andy Rossmeissl and Jake Whitcomb continued shaping the concept. Summer of 2006, Brighter Planet was founded. Fall of 2006, veteran executive Patti Prairie joined the cause as CEO. Since launching in November 2007, more than 100,000 people in all 50 states have used our products and services.

At Brighter Planet, we're proud to be pioneers of a new environmentalism: one that is accessible to everyone, fits easily with one's lifestyle, and is fun to share. We invite you to sign up and join our growing community!

For more information, please visit us at brighterplanet.com.

Mastering the Art of Sustainable Cooking Contest Launches

Sep 30, 2009 9:21 AM CDT

(Justmeans.com / CSR News) - MIDDLEBURY, VT – Will you be the one to inspire others to create great food that’s also good for the planet? The Mastering the Art of Sustainable Cooking contest introduced by Brighter Planet this week gives Americans everywhere the opportunity to share their stories of conservation methods and help them take charge against climate change in a place where it may be the least expected: the kitchen.

The judging panel includes celebrated local food pioneer Alice Waters of Chez Panisse and Slow Food International; visionary environmental writer Bill McKibben of 350.org; sustainable entrepreneur Gary Hirshberg of Stonyfield Farms; food activist and anthropologist Amy Trubek; director and producer Ana Sofia Joanes of FRESH; Eating Well Magazine’s editorial director Lisa Gosselin; CEO Patti Prairie of Brighter Planet; and food television writer and producer Zachary Cohen of Farm to Table. Judges rate top-ranked entries based on eco-effectiveness and ability to inspire conservation in others.

The average American’s carbon footprint from food is as big as that of their car or their home. Contestants share their experiences of how they reduced their “foodprint” by using less energy and reducing waste—without sacrificing nutrition, flavor, or the joy of sharing a delicious meal. Contest categories include menu planning, ingredients, food sources, techniques, and gadgets.

“Our goal is to deepen the conversation about ways we can reduce the climate impact of our diets,” said Patti Prairie, Brighter Planet CEO. “Real-life stories can explode the myth that eating an earth-friendly diet means sacrificing money, flavor, or camaraderie.”

The contest, hosted by Brighter Planet’s unique social media web platform at www.brighterplanet.com, runs through December 31, 2009 with winners announced in January. Top prizes are Amazon Kindle DXs, whose adoption is predicted by the New York Times to slash the publishing industry’s environmental impact.

About Brighter Planet

Brighter Planet (www.brighterplanet.com) helps people manage their environmental footprint. The clean-energy start-up is pioneering a new environmentalism — one that is accessible to everyone, fits one's lifestyle, and is fun to share. Its engaging campaigns tap the power of social media to help people learn about emissions, conserve what they can, and offset the rest. To date, more than 100,000 customers have used the company’s climate change solutions, the Brighter Planet Visa credit and debit cards and Offsets by Brighter Planet, to invest in reputable American renewable energy projects.

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SOURCE Brighter Planet