THUNDER BAY – EarthWise Thunder Bay has launched a unique project today called Climate Idols, recruiting four local families to participate in a variety of quarterly challenges in the areas of Energy, Transportation, Food, and Lifestyle during 2011.
The project is a partnership between EarthWise Thunder Bay and Duluth Sister Cities International as part of Thunder Bay’s Sister Cities program. Each community will choose four families to participate in a series of challenges.
“Climate Idols will encourage community members to learn more about sustainable lifestyle options available in Thunder Bay, and the website that follows them will be a tool for other community members to shadow their learnings and try things out on their own,” said Mayor Keith Hobbs.
“I am happy to see this partnership between our Sister Cities, and encourage our community to follow the ‘Idols’ through 2011.”
Each challenge area will begin with an educational face to face meeting where the local Idols will learn about the issue and some potential solutions, as well as be directed to resources available in the community. The Idols will use a website to blog about their experiences and to share resources with their counterparts in Duluth.
Guidance with a Scandinavian flair will also be provided by community members living in Växjö Sweden, one of Duluth’s Sister Cities. Växjö is a community very similar in size and climate to Thunder Bay and Duluth, but with a significantly lower carbon footprint.
“This is a great opportunity to raise awareness about what it takes to lead a lower impact lifestyle in Thunder Bay. Applicants should be interested in learning more about reducing their environmental impact in their daily lives and making connections with our international counterparts,” said Sarah Kerton, EarthWise Thunder Bay Community Environmental Action Plan Coordinator.
For more information visit: www.earthwisethunderbay.com and www.climateidols.org. The deadline for applications is Jan. 21.