The Ocean Project today announced its goal of reaching a wind power goal of 10,000,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) by World Oceans Day on June 8^th, 2014.  Running from March 29^th through June 8^th, the campaign will officially begin at 8:30 PM local time when millions of people around the world switch off their lights for Earth Hour. Equivalent to the electricity consumption of 1,056 average households, the 10,000 kWh goal represents the approximate electricity consumption of an average U.S. zoo or aquarium. 

The campaign will be promoted online at www.ocean.supportgreenpower.com and through social media by The Ocean Project and its partner network of over 2,000 zoos, aquariums and other education and conservation organizations.  Under the program, individuals anywhere can join the campaign for as little as $5.00, directly supporting wind energy and the World Oceans Day 2014 wind power goal.

The Ocean Project will work with New York-based green power supplier Greenlight Energy Group to source renewable energy certificates (RECs) from wind farms located in the U.S.  The Ocean Project will receive a matching donation of wind RECs from Greenlight Energy Group for every purchase made by individuals participating in the campaign.

One REC represents the generation of one megawatt-hour (MWh) of renewable electricity and transfers with it all of the positive benefits arising from renewable energy production, namely the avoidance of carbon dioxide, a key greenhouse gas. RECs are the “currency” of renewable energy markets and provide an additional revenue stream to wind power projects that compete directly with lower cost fossil fuels.

“This year, we’re asking people to take action in honor of World Oceans Day,” said Bill Mott, Director of The Ocean Project. “Earth Hour is the perfect time to launch our World Oceans Day wind power program because it’s a mass movement worldwide in support of confronting climate change. Together, we can create a healthier climate, a cleaner, more abundant ocean, and a more sustainable society. Reaching our goal by World Oceans Day will help demonstrate the power of our collective actions in protecting our oceans.”

“People concerned about climate change have a great opportunity this year to help promote World Oceans Day by helping The Ocean Project reach its goal,” said Kelly Bennett, CEO of Greenlight Energy Group. “We’re proud to partner with The Ocean Project and provide conscious consumers across the country with a simple way to take meaningful action just by supporting renewable energy.”

For more information or to join the World Oceans Day wind power program, please see the online web portal at www.ocean.supportgreenpower.com

The Ocean Project inspires action to protect our ocean. We help aquariums and other visitor-serving organizations effectively engage with their millions of visitors to create a more sustainable society. The Ocean Project’s network of approximately 2,000 partner zoos, aquariums, museums (ZAMs) and other conservation organizations is the largest ever developed. We empower our partners with cutting-edge communications research, tools and resources that help ZAMs capture people’s imaginations, create more engaged citizens and communities, and result in a significant impact. The Ocean Project is the lead coordinator of World Oceans Day. More about The Ocean Project can be found at: www.TheOceanProject.org.

World Oceans Day is an opportunity to honor the world's oceans. No matter where we live, each of us is dependent on a healthy ocean for our survival. Recognized by the United Nations, World Oceans Day is held June 8^th of every year. World Oceans Day serves as a global rallying point for raising awareness and promoting personal and community action in fun and positive ways, leading to a more aware, engaged, and sustainable society, and a healthier ocean and climate. Thanks to people like you, approximately 600 events were held to celebrate World Oceans Day last year and we plan to double that number in 2014! Let’s make this year even better by holding great events, sharing, and spreading the word. Learn more at: www.WorldOceansDay.org

Greenlight Energy Group, LLC provides access to renewable energy projects to organizations and individuals. Founded in 2010 as the first woman-owned renewable energy marketing firm in the U.S. and industry pioneers for over a decade, our founders have transacted over 7 billion kWh of RECs over their careers with some of the world's most recognizable brands. Helping clients support renewables, reduce emissions and drive sustainability throughout their operations is core to Greenlight Energy's mission. For more information, call (518) 499-3557 or visit www.gltenergy.com.

Greenlight Energy

Greenlight Energy

Greenlight Energy is the first and only woman-owned renewable energy marketing company in the U.S. Industry pioneers since 2003, our founders have transacted over 5 billion kWh of RECs over their careers with some of the world's most recognizable brands. Helping clients support renewables, reduce GHG emissions and drive sustainability throughout their operations is core to Greenlight Energy’s mission. Rethink. Go green.

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