September 23, 2009 – New York, NY The climate crisis is upon us with a new sense of urgency, as WE ADD UP launches the ‘World’s Biggest Green Sweepstakes,’ geared to create awareness and action for climate change. With the recent passing of the American Clean Energy and Security Act by the House of Representatives and international climate talks in Copenhagen this December, many see an opportunity for the U.S. to act as a global leader in clean energy and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In the midst of this crucial time, WE ADD UP kicks off the Climate Action Giveaway, a virtual Web campaign to harvest awareness and action around global warming throughout the nation, and drive home that America could in fact be a world leader in forging these vital agreements.

The sweepstakes begins September 23, 2009, during the first ever “Climate Week” happening in New York City, and continues until prizes are awarded by random drawing on December 7, 2009, when the United Nations gathers in Copenhagen for the COP15 Climate Change Conference.

Starting September 23, Americans can visit WE ADD UP’s www.climategiveaway.com to join the sweepstakes. Once they sign up, they will automatically be entered for a chance to win exciting green prizes. WE ADD UP’s goal is to get 1 million people learning about climate solutions and participating in simple actions in order to help create a tipping point in public engagement necessary to forge real solutions in the coming months. Each week, participants will be sent an email with a suggestion of such an action they can take, whether it be e-faxing their Senator to support strong US climate legislation or participating in 350.org viral photo activism about COP15 in Copenhagen, one action and a few minutes is all it takes. Non-profit partners 1Sky and 350.org are helping direct the actions participants are invited to take.

WE ADD UP’s Facebook page and Twitter feed will educate fans with climate facts, trivia, news, and the various actions they can take to be a part of the campaign. Its message is simple: Take action, Make history, Win prizes.

The Climate Action Giveaway is the biggest green sweepstakes in the history of environmental causes, with over 230 winners to be chosen. Prizes include a 4 day backpacking trip at Glacier National Park in Montana (Glacier Guides), a year’s supply of Organic Valley milk, $2,500 worth of Natural Yards custom raised bed gardens shipped to your door, LED Christmas lights (Environmental Lights), up to $4,300 in IceStone coutertops, a durable surface made from 100% recycled glass and cement, a year’s supply of gDiapers, $400 diamond simulant earrings by Diamond Nexus Labs, and much more!

This program targets everyday consumers and Facebook and Twitter users to drive the program’s message virally, online, and within their own communities. “Most people are unaware that we are currently being offered an unprecedented opportunity to make progress on climate change both in the US and internationally,” says Jill Palermo, co-founder of WE ADD UP. “We have invited hundreds of green businesses to offer eco-friendly prizes and join with us in this sweepstakes, offering what they do best to help make sure we don’t waste the next few precious months.”

With an expectation to gain strong influencers, WE ADD UP is confident that this initiative will increase the momentum needed to make a real difference in wide-ranging middle-American communities. “We hope Americans use this project as an entry point to be active in our government and show our elected leaders support, so they can make the tough decisions,” says Jill Palermo. “If we elect people who promise change into office, we also must deliver them support along the way.”

The launch of this campaign comes at an extremely timely moment as the Senate continues to deal with such high-impact issues as healthcare, national security, education, and the current economic crisis. WE ADD UP strives to bring the issue of climate change to the forefront of the public’s attention—so as many people as possible are educated and active in helping influence the direction our country and world takes.

For more information, press materials or to join the WE ADD UP Climate Action Giveaway visit: http://climategiveaway.com/

To become a fan of WE ADD UP visit: http://www.facebook.com/weaddup

To follow on Twitter visit: http://www.twitter.com/weaddup

For all press inquiries contact Kimberly Ingrassia at kim@weaddup.com or 646.339.1030.

About WE ADD UP
WE ADD UP is a for-benefit green business, global campaign and marketing tool using organic cotton t-shirts that literally “counts you in” for your contribution to help solve the climate crisis. Every shirt is custom printed by hand with a unique number that represents the individual’s place in the sequential global count of people adding up to make change. As the count grows, it demonstrates to the world that “WE ADD UP.” On the back of each shirt is a word or phrase that describes an action almost anyone can take to reduce their carbon footprint - the contribution their lifestyle makes to greenhouse gases - such as Unplug, Lights Off, Carpool, Hybrid, Bike, Buy Local, and 27 others. No one can do everything. Everyone can do something. And, WE ADD UP. www.weaddup.com

A Sea Change premiers on US TV Sept. 26 on Planet Green, 8 pm. It’s the first film about the EVIL TWIN of CLIMATE CHANGE, ocean acidification.

Will you help make a HUGE SPLASH and let Americans know about the threat excess carbon dioxide poses to ocean life?

If you have cable or satellite TV, please INVITE FRIENDS or FAMILY over to watch with you, discuss, and take action!

Just go to the Sea Change page on Brave New Theaters to host your own viewing party: http://aseachange.bravenewtheaters.com/

**BONUS** If you’re hosting a house party on Sept. 26 to watch Planet Green, we’ll send you a FREE DVD to say THANKS for helping get out the word out about climate change and the ocean! **BONUS**

“This film is both a love letter to the planet and an urgent plea to its citizens.”—Justin Berton, San Francisco Chronicle

“Ocean acidification is the flip side of global warming and if you have children, grandchildren or any investment in life as we know it continuing on this planet, this is a must-see film.”—Marin Maven

Imagine a world without fish. It’s a frightening possibility, and it could come true. A Sea Change follows the journey of retired history teacher Sven Huseby on his quest to discover what is happening to the world’s oceans. After reading Elizabeth Kolbert’s “The Darkening Sea,” Sven becomes obsessed with the rising acidity of the oceans and what this “sea change” bodes for mankind. His quest takes him to Alaska, California, Washington, and Norway as he uncovers a worldwide crisis that most people are unaware of. Speaking with oceanographers, marine biologists, climatologists, and artists, Sven discovers that global warming is only half the story of the environmental catastrophe that awaits us. Excess carbon dioxide is dissolving in our oceans, changing sea water chemistry. The more acidic water makes it difficult for tiny creatures at the bottom of the food web to form their shells. The effects could work their way up to the fish 1 billion people depend upon for their source of protein.

A Sea Change is also a touching portrait of Sven’s relationship with his grandchild Elias. As Sven keeps a correspondence with the little boy, he mulls over the world that he is leaving for future generations. A disturbing and essential companion piece to An Inconvenient Truth, A Sea Change brings home the indisputable fact that our lifestyle is changing the earth, despite our rhetoric or wishful thinking.

A Sea Change is the first documentary about ocean acidification, directed by Barbara Ettinger and co-produced by Sven Huseby of Niijii Films. Chock full of scientific information, the feature-length film is also a beautiful paen to the ocean world and an intimate story of a Norwegian-American family whose heritage is bound up with the sea.

My Mom, and fellow We Add Up co-founder, is coming to visit me today in NYC!  I’m so excited, as this is her first trip here since I moved here in January.  As I’m putting together our itinerary, I’m a little flummoxed.  So few days together, so many restaurants, what to choose?  We’re both vegetarian, so it does limit our options.  Well, a few weeks ago, when I attended a screening of the documentary Food, Inc. (which EVERY ONE should see), I ran into Jared Koch and his book, “Clean Plates NYC.” So glad I did, because this guide to the “healthiest tastiest restuarants in Manhattan for vegetarians and carnivores” is sure to steer us the right way.  And impress Mom.  Plan for this evening?  Head down to the Union Square farmer’s market, then dinner at either Tabla (contemporary Indian) or Pure Food & Wine (gourmet raw vegan), and then to a rooftop fundraising party for City Council candidate Brent O’Leary.  A perfect mix of Local, Organic, and Politics.  Should make Mom happy!  I’ll let you know if either of the restaurants live up to their reviews as one of the 75 best resaurants in NYC for the mindful eater.