"Unplug Your Stuff" Teen Campaign Goes Viral

Answers the question: What can teens do to help the environment?

TORONTO, April 22 /CNW/ - EARTH DAY

What

A new social media campaign has been launched on Facebook to encourage teens to unplug their electronic devices when not in use. Unplug Your Stuff (www.unplugyourstuff.ca) is designed to appeal to Ontario teens 14 and over. The two-month campaign focuses on reducing "phantom power" - the electricity consumed by home electronics even when they are off.

Why

The average Ontario household has 20-30 separate devices drawing phantom power that can drain up to 15% of a household's electricity. Teens are major consumers of this unnecessary power. The campaign uses a number of fun and engaging activities to encourage teens to use "smart" power bars - with auto-shutoff capacity - to reduce phantom power in their homes.

How

Teens earn points by completing on-line activities which they can use for a chance to win a wide range of age-appropriate prizes. Activities include:

    
    -  Videos: a series of vignettes featuring humorous conversations between
       two wall outlets.
    -  Games: phantom power-themed video games including "Plug Flyer" and
       "Socket Saver"
    -  Quizzes: explaining the causes and costs of phantom power
    -  Pledges: commitments to share information with parents, teachers and
       friends
    

Who

Unplug Your Stuff was developed by the Ontario Power Authority in response to research that revealed that teens want to help the environment. WWF-Canada has joined the campaign as a major sponsor to encourage this hard-to-reach age group to take planet-friendly actions every day. Unplug Your Stuff is part of the five month Power Pledge campaign that encourages all Ontarians to commit to a few simple, meaningful conservation actions to save money and help protect the environment. The Power Pledge can be found at www.powerpledge.ca.

Where

www.unplugyourstuff.ca

For further information: Media Contacts: Ontario Power Authority, Media Line, [phone], Toll Free: 1-800-797-9604; Environics Communications, Amy Davidson, [phone]