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Environment Agency launches world first online pledge campaign with Mediasurface
With only two weeks to go, World Environment Day on 5 June promises to be a landmark for both the environment and the technology that supports its ground-breaking online pledge campaigns.
Believed to be a world first, the online campaign launched by the Environment Agency encourages people to sign-up to one (or more) of 10 simple pledges which collectively, will make a dramatic difference to our environment.
Backed by some of the nation’s favourite celebrities, these pledges range from turning the heating down by one degree and turning the tap off while cleaning your teeth - through to planting a tree and re-using plastic bags. Once visitors have chosen a pledge, they can invite friends to take part via email, creating a community of linked pledges from around the world.
As more and more people pledge, the campaign site provides up-to-the-minute totals of how much water and energy is being saved, and how much carbon dioxide emissions are being reduced, clearly demonstrating how collectively small actions can make a big difference.
The website www.environment-agency.gov.uk/wed is the main focus for the campaign and is built on a highly advanced content management system from Mediasurface, the UK’s leading provider. Simon Ashley, Internet Manager at the Environment Agency said: “We wanted to establish a link between the pledges, offering participant’s information on the success of the campaigns and inviting them to take a more active role in this project. By using Mediasurface each returning visitor will access their own personalised view of the site, giving them instant updates on the progress of the pledge and how it is having a real impact on the environment.”
Already supporters of the campaign have saved over 7,644,681 litres of water, 42,558g of plastic bags and prevented 21,303 kg of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere.
Nick Bolton, Product Marketing Director at Mediasurface said: “Many people donate to charity but never get to see the difference their contribution has made. It is rare to have a campaign such as this, enabling you to keep tabs on exactly how much of a difference you have made through your own pledges and recommendations to friends and family. It produces a feel-good factor that encourages more and more people to get involved. It is this type of community activity that the Internet is really for."
“By keeping it really quick and simple we are encouraging as many people as possible to get involved. Already we are delighted to see so many well-known personalities lead the way by signing-up to at least one of the pledges” said Ashley.
Some of those celebrities already signed up to the campaign include TV personality Chris Tarrant who has pledged to plant a tree in his garden or community forest. Chris said, “I think it is essential that we reduce the pollution in the air that we breathe, and by planting trees, we can make the world a more beautiful place at the same time.”
BBC’s Animal Camera presenter Steve Leonard has signed up to ALL the pledges saying; "It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and insignificant when faced with the threats to our environment but here are some very simple and effective actions that WILL make a difference"
Channel 4 broadcaster Jon Snow has pledged to put a water saving device in his cistern and plant a tree. Jon said: “A water saving device in the cistern is so obvious that I can’t think why companies aren’t forced to supply one with every unit. I'll plant my tree because I've been campaigning for years to try to force companies who dig up the streets to plant one every five metres they dig up. After all they have the plant, the manpower, and the tree is cheap. So if I want them to do it, I'd better plant one myself...it will be an apple to the keep the doctor away."
Nick Knowles from BBC DIY SOS has pledged to switch his television off rather than leave it on stand-by. Nick said, “As I am away from home for most of the month, the thought of the amount of energy I'm burning for absolutely no benefit is a bit startling. And bearing in mind I stay in hotels a lot where TVs are constantly on standby I think I shall be switching them off and advising all travellers to do the same.”
Other well-known personalities backing the campaign include comedian Alistair McGowan, broadcaster Peter Sissons and GMTV’s John Stapleton.
To sign-up and pledge your support visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/wedpledge
For further information on the Environment Agency’s campaign for World Environment Day and the Action Earth campaign visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/wed. 24.05.2004, Mediasurface
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