The winners have been chosen in the "Do Your Part" poster contest.Click here to see the winning submissions!
Unplug your unused electronics!Many appliances still consume energy even when turned off. Items left plugged in, such as a cell phone charger or laptop adapter, can leak more than 20 watts of power per hour.
Shut off your computer monitor!
Set your computer and monitor to shut off automatically through your operating system--'stand-by' mode uses 70% less power and 'shut down' mode turns the computer completely off.
Don't play then walk away!
When you leave a game console like xBox or PS3 on and then walk away without turning it off, it's like leaving as many as three 60-watt light bulbs on.
Unplug your phone charger!
Battery chargers can waste up to 20 times more energy than they actually use to charge something. Even when they're not charging anything at all!
Install CFLs to save energy, money!
Lights account for 15% of a home's energy use. Replacing the standard incandescent bulbs in your house with Compact Florescent Lights (CFLs) could reduce the energy used by your lights by 50%-70%!
Learn more tips!
Do you have questions about mercury in CFLs and the proper ways of disposal and clean-up.Learn how to recycle CFLs!
Take the ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge!
Show your commitment to saving energy and helping reduce the risk of global climate change.Check current results for programs in:
Connecticut | Illinois
Loads of links to energy efficiency games for kids, lesson plans for teachers, and resources for schools. Read the monthly
"Watt's Going Down" newsletter. Check it all out !1st Prize
Medical CrisisThis is a medical crisis
I saw the Earth sitting in the emergency room
It had a high fever
It was complaining about something called ‘global warming’
I glanced at him one more time
He was sweating
I hoped the nurse would come to him soon
Before he got seriously ill
Whoever caused this Medical Crisis is in big trouble
The nurse gave him pills
This is what it said:
Recycle
Reuse
Conserve
Reduce
I hope the Earth gets better soon
Because I want it to live
Emily Scorzo - Clinton Rosette MS, DeKalb
2nd Prize - tied
Dark! I shut off the lightsNo humming or buzzing, it’s peaceful at night
This one small act, so little, so small
Could make a huge difference, if we’d answer the call
Clear blue skies, crystal clear water
Would save our Earth, so it’s their for our daughters
Our planet’s residents would stay so diverse
And our smart changes would reverse the global warming curse
A small first step is perfectly fine
It doesn’t have to be stopping the drilling of a coal mine
Every single act will make one problem solved
Even if it’s just switching a light bulb
If everyone pitched in, our future would be greener
No more overflowing landfills, but improving demeanors
So I’m asking you all, to do your very best
Each act is appreciated and you’ll pass the Earth Day test
Maureen Hagerty - St. John the Baptist, Winfield
You go outside and what do you see
A beautiful place held down by gravity
This place is only a one of a kind
So love her now and keep an open mind
When someone throws a wrapper on the ground
They think ‘hey, well, they’re all around’
But just one wrapper can cause the fall of one magnificent waterfall
We must stop the madness, there’s no time to wait
Mother Earth’s been here a trillion years
and never once has she ever complained
Now she’s crying out in a desperate plea
Oh please Oh please help me
It’s our job as people to answer this call
So take my hand
Just you and me
One will lead to two or three
Then we’ll stand together and break down this wall
The possibilities are endless while we’re hand in hand
So come together and let’s make our stand
Sean McElligott - St. Michael School, Orland Park
* Click on picture above to get a printable and better image.
CONTEST RULES
If you are a minor, you must obtain the prior permission of your parent and/or legal guardian and your parent and/or legal guardian must also agree to these Rules on their and your own behalf before you can enter this Contest.
The Contest is open to current students of elementary and secondary schools (K–12 grades, including home schools of these grades), with the participating student(s) residing in, and the school located in, the state of Illinois. Identification must be produced upon request.
Employees of the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA), its Contest sponsors, program implementers, vendors, and their respective affiliates and associates and such employees' immediate family members and persons with whom such employees are domiciled are excluded from this Contest.
By claiming the prize, the winner authorizes the use, without additional compensation of his or her name and/or likeness and/or voice/photograph and municipality of residence for promotional purposes in any manner and in any medium (including without limitation, radio broadcasts, newspapers and other publications and in television or film releases, slides, videotape, distribution over the internet and picture data storage) which MEEA may deem appropriate.
In accepting the prize, the winner, acknowledges that MEEA may not be held liable for any loss, damages or injury associated with accepting or using this prize(s). MEEA is not responsible for the policies, actions, or inactions of others, including your School, that might prevent you from entering, participating, and/or claiming a prize in this Contest. This Contest is governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, United States. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.
By participating in this Contest, you agree to be bound by the terms of these Official Rules and by MEEA’s decisions, which are final and binding on all matters pertaining to this Contest. Return of any prize/prize notification may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. Any potential winner who cannot be contacted within fifteen (15) days of attempted first notification will forfeit his or her prize.