Johnson Controls marks 10 years of Igniting Creative Energy (ICE) student competition
MILWAUKEE – (January 4,
2011) – Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader in delivering
products, services and solutions that increase efficiency in buildings,
announced the launch of its 10th annual Igniting Creative Energy (ICE)
Challenge, a national competition for kindergarten through twelfth
grade students to share ideas about wise energy choices and
environmental stewardship. To mark this milestone, Johnson Controls
also announced the addition of ICE Water, a new category for the
competition that adds a water education component to the traditional
energy and environmental educational objectives. More information
about the ICE Challenge and the official contest rules can be found at
http://www.ignitingcreativeenergy.org.
Water efficiency is a growing
concern with nearly 36 states expecting to face water shortages within
the next five years according to a 2008 study by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency. ICE Water integrates the close connection of water
and energy conservation into this educational competition and prompts
teachers and students to integrate water into their classroom
discussions about energy and natural resources.
“When we conserve water, we conserve
the energy needed to pump and treat it,” said Bruno Biasiotta, vice
president and general manager, Energy Solutions Americas, Johnson
Controls. “For the last decade, the ICE Challenge has actively engaged
youth to think about energy efficiency. Adding water conservation to
this thought process enhances the learning experience for today’s
students – our future environmental leaders.”
Johnson Controls is teaming up with
Kohler Co., a global leader in kitchen and bath design, technology and
water efficiency, on the addition of ICE Water. The companies are
joining efforts to encourage youth to think about water conservation as
they consider what an individual, family or group can do to make a
difference in their homes and communities. Kohler Co. will provide
technical and promotional support for the ICE Water category. Kohler
Co. executives will also serve on the panel of judges for the
competition.
“The future of natural resources in
the world depends on the actions we take now, and the choices we make
in our own lives. It is our responsibility to teach our children to
make wise choices when it comes to natural resources,” said Rob
Zimmerman, manager of engineering, water conservation and
sustainability for Kohler Co. “The ICE Challenge is a great way to
teach children about their choices and get them excited about making
changes and taking action in their own communities.”
A total of five Grand Prize winners,
four student winners and one teacher will travel to the 2011 United
States Energy Efficiency Forum (EEF) where they will share their
winning projects with national leaders and energy policymakers.
Co-sponsored by Johnson Controls and the United States Energy
Association, EEF aims to advance energy efficiency issues as part of a
broader campaign to raise energy awareness. The event is scheduled to
take place on June 15-16, 2011 in Washington, D.C.
In addition to the national winners,
the highest scoring student in each qualifying state or province will
receive recognition as the State or Province winner. Through the
Johnson Controls Blue Sky Involve program, ICE winners and their
schools are encouraged to team up with a Johnson Controls employee to
work on a volunteer project that protects the environment in their
community. Employees can then submit the project to be considered for a
$1,000 grant donated to the school. In 2006, Johnson Controls developed
Blue Sky Involve, its global employee volunteer program, which focuses
on environmental stewardship and leadership development among employees.
The
ICE Challenge is administered by the National Energy Foundation (NEF)
on behalf of Johnson Controls. NEF has served as the ICE education
partner over the life of the competition and continues to help create
awareness about the competition among teachers and students throughout
the nation.
All ICE Challenge entries must be
postmarked by March 4, 2011; submissions postmarked by February 18,
2011 will qualify for additional early bird prizes. ICE Challenge
winners will be announced in late March 2011.
About Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls is a global
diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in over
150 countries. Our 137,000 employees create quality products, services
and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of
buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for
hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Our
commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the
invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth
strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to
delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful.
About Johnson Controls Building
Efficiency Johnson Controls delivers products, services and solutions
that increase energy efficiency and lower operating costs in buildings
for more than one million customers. Operating from 500 branch offices
in 148 countries, we are a leading provider of equipment, controls and
services for heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, refrigeration and
security systems. We have been involved in more than 500 renewable
energy projects including solar, wind and geothermal technologies. Our
solutions have reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 13.6 million metric
tons and generated savings of $7.5 billion since 2000. Many of the
world’s largest companies rely on us to manage 1.5 billion square feet
of their commercial real estate. For more infomation visit
http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/
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