Today, on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Chicago residents explored Chicago Transit Authority's new Ecobus and other clean city vehicles and visited Chicago Climate Action Plan partner booths to learn about simple actions that can reduce their carbon footprint and lessen their paper use, as part of a city-wide event to celebrate Chicago's leadership in sustainable innovation.

The 2010 Chicago Earth Day Celebration, hosted by the Chicago Department of Environment (CDOE), in partnership with the Chicago Climate Action Plan (CCAP) team, brought together hundreds of students, businesses, policymakers and a theatre group on Daley Plaza to celebrate the city's commitment to tackling climate change. Chicago students were awarded prizes for developing the most creative, 90 second videos that illustrate how they are taking part in one or more of the Plan's 35 mitigation or adaptation strategies.

"I am so proud of our students," said Suzanne Malec-McKenna, commissioner, Chicago Department of Environment. "Their participation in this important initiative helps to raise awareness about climate change and what they can do to protect our city and our planet."

Student submissions were reviewed by an elite panel of judges including Ginger Zee, meteorologist, NBC Chicago; Terri Hemmert, host, WXRT Radio; Andres L. Hernandez, assistant professor, director of master of arts in art education program (MAAE), The School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Debbie Hammond, director of environmental health and safety, Abbott; and Pete Leki, teacher, Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Conservation Club leader.

Mayor Richard M. Daley presented the following first place winners with $2000 to be used for education:

• 9th-12th grades: Maureen Schulman and team from various high schools for "The Happiness Club"


• College undergrads: Katie Bates and Nick Ray Harris from Loyola University for "Sustainable Living 101"

Second and third place winners received $1000 and $500 respectively. All of the videos can be viewed at www.chicagoclimateaction.org.

Following the contest, from April 23-May 18, 2010, visitors can take part in the Viewer's Choice Award by voting on their favorite of the five winning videos. On May 22, 2010, the winner will be announced and receive an additional $500 award. The entire contest was made possible through a partnership with the Abbott Fund, the philanthropic foundation of the global health care company Abbott.

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