Today, Chicago residents, celebrities and government officials will gather in Millennium Park for a free festival to learn about simple actions that can reduce their carbon footprint and create a positive environmental impact.

The Carbon Nation Celebration, convened by the Chicago Climate Action Plan Team, Broadway in Chicago and "Carbon Nation" producers and staff, will feature notables including acclaimed documentary host and producer Bill Kurtis, the star of Shrek the Musical comedian Hal Sparks and The Happiness Club, and culminated with the Chicago premiere and screening of Peter Byck's "Carbon Nation" film.

"I'm proud that Carbon Nation is bringing together Chicagoans on Millennium Park--one of the world's largest green rooftops--to celebrate climate change solutions," said Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago. "Environmental stewardship has always been a high priority for Chicago. We are truly a city of action, and tonight is about what residents, businesses and government can do together to create a better standard of living for all residents."

The Carbon Nation Celebration underscores the city's commitment to tackling climate change. In 2008, a multi-organizational partnership launched the Chicago Climate Action Plan which focuses on five major strategies--from energy efficient buildings and renewable energy to transportation, waste and adaptation. The goal is to reduce Chicago's greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2020. The plan identifies 35 individual actions that the government, businesses, civic institutions and residents can undertake to reduce emissions. For more information on the Chicago Climate Action Plan, visit http://www.chicagoclimateaction.org.

"The Chicago Action Plan Team is proud to partner with many organizations across the city to show that reducing our environmental footprint can be easy, fun and good for our economy," said Suzanne Malec-McKenna, commissioner, Chicago Department of Environment. "With so many 90-degree days this summer, it's great to remember we can all take action in easy, everyday things--like unplugging appliances and turning off lights when leaving a room--that save energy, cut carbon outputs and increase the money in our pocketbooks."

The featured entertainment, the movie "Carbon Nation", is an optimistic, solutions-based, non-preachy, non-partisan film that shows fighting climate change boosts the economy, increases national and energy security and promotes health and a clean environment. Conceptualized as a climate change solutions movie that doesn't even care if you believe in climate change, the film features a cross-section of dynamic players including local agriculture advocate Jim Slama, Van Jones, founder of Green for All, Richard Branson, entrepreneur and founder of The Virgin Group, James Woolsey, former CIA director, Lester Brown, founder of Earth Policy Institute, and Thomas Friedman, author and New York Times Columnist.

The goal is to illustrate how solutions to climate change are intricately connected to other social, economic and national security issues. For more information about "Carbon Nation", visit www.carbonnation.tv.

"We are thrilled to have so many of the stars and local heroes from the film in Chicago to share in this exciting premiere," said Peter Byck, director and producer of "Carbon Nation". "Like these heroes, we have always felt Chicago and its mayor have led the way for cities to act and be a part of the solution for climate change. That's why we feature Chicago in 'Carbon Nation'--this city, like our film, is all about addressing the issues."

For more information about the Carbon Nation Celebration, visit www.chicagoclimateaction.org and click on Carbon Nation Celebration.

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