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College Students Gather to Put Congress in the Hot Seat on Global Warming

College Students Gather to Put Congress in the Hot Seat on Global Warming

Published 07-26-07

Submitted by Seventh Generation

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http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5457093.

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 26, 2007--Two hundred student leaders from 33 states and Canada converged on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol to put Congress in the 'hot seat' on global warming through peaceful protest. The students, standing in fourteen rows with 200 red chairs formed a mass covering 784 square feet and unfurled large banners reading "Congress, You Are on the Hot Seat," and "Act Now: Stop Global Warming."

The visually-compelling event was the culmination of a seven-day grassroots activist training program, called Change It, designed to empower students to become the next generation of leaders for change in the environmental and social justice movement.

Now in its second year, the Change It program is led by the international environmental group Greenpeace and sponsored by Seventh Generation, one of the country's first self-declared "socially responsible" companies, best known for its leading brand of environmentally-friendly household products.

"Last year, we received an overwhelming response from students interested in learning how to be more effective change agents in the world, so we decided to double the number of participants in 2007," said Jeffrey Hollender, president and chief inspired protagonist of Seventh Generation. "I know that when this year's participants return home, they will continue to ignite change in their community, and the world!"

This intensive, all-expenses-paid, week-long training program was facilitated by some of the nation's top environmental leaders and featured speakers on global and social issues, such as Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Representative Henry Waxman, D-Calif. Participants worked one-on-one with Greenpeace leaders who provided personalized training sessions focused on campaign strategy, lobbying, media relations and peaceful demonstrations.

The program helps to transform students from passionate participants in the environmental debate into leaders of the movement for change. Graduates of last year's Change It program have gone on to organize on-campus global warming pledge drives, Earth Day events and congressional outreach initiatives. Some are also working with university administrators to develop ethical purchasing and green building policies.

Now, after completing the program, these students are equipped for effective campaigning on college campuses and take leadership in a powerful Greenpeace student network designed to win bolder victories to protect the planet.

To watch videos of the program, visit http://www.youtube.com/ChangeItVideos. For more information, visit http://www.changeit07.org.

About Seventh Generation

For 18 years, the closely held Burlington, Vermont company has been at the forefront of a cultural change in consumer behavior and business ethics. One of the country's first self-declared "socially responsible" companies, Seventh Generation is committed to becoming the world's most trusted brand of authentic, safe, and environmentally responsible products for a healthy home. Seventh Generation markets and distributes through natural food stores, supermarkets, on-line stores like Amazon.com and mail-order catalogs in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit www.seventhgeneration.com.

About Greenpeace

Greenpeace is the leading independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful direct action and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and to promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. For more information, visit www.greenpeace.org.

MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE:
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5457093.


Copyright Business Wire 2007

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Seventh Generation

Seventh Generation

Seventh Generation is committed to becoming the world's most trusted brand of authentic, safe, and environmentally-responsible products for a healthy home. For 20 years, the Burlington, Vermont-based company has been at the forefront of a cultural change in consumer behavior and business ethics.

The company derives its name from the Great Law of the Iroquois that states, "In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." Every time you use a Seventh Generation product you are making a difference by saving natural resources, reducing pollution, keeping toxic chemicals out of the environment and making the world a safer place for this and the next seven generations.

Seventh Generation products can be found by visiting: www.seventhgeneration.com.

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