One Million Acts of Green Congratulates Canadians on Reaching Half-Way Mark of 500,000 Acts Registered

TORONTO - December 10, 2008 - CBC and Cisco proudly announce that One Million Acts of Green (OMAoG) has reached a significant and impressive milestone. We have just surpassed 500,000 acts of green registered online at http://www.onemillionactsofgreen.com/. This represents a reduction of near 25,000,000 kg of greenhouse gas. This campaign milestone has been achieved far more quickly than we anticipated - in less than two months - thanks to the eager participation of Canadians, and, at last check, we have reached 520,000 acts in our goal to get to one million. It has been the dedicated work of communities, schools, businesses and green-minded individuals who have actively and creatively participated in the OMAoG challenge to get us to this point.

For example:

Trent University is proving that it is taking the lead as green schools go - they have 443 members on the OMAOG site with 13,651 added acts and a green house gas reduction of 679,122.65 kg.

Manitoba-based MTS Allstream has been super active as a company group, committing over 6,000 acts.

Look out for some healthy competition in Alberta over the month of December as the town of Okotoks issues a formal challenge to the town of Airdrie on December 15. It will be the first city/town challenge issued on behalf of OMAoG and clearly "The Greenest Town" title is on the line.

Mike Holmes, Canada's favourite handyman has been actively involved with sustainable community builds near Okotoks, and he has discussed his own acts of green when he's been interviewed on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos. We've had various, international celebrities pitching in along side Canadians to get the word out - Tim Robbins, Jason Priestley, Alanis Morissette, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and David Foster are among the list of celebrities who have shared their green tips and pledges for the campaign while on set of The Hour.
It's easy to get involved, and it's not about overhauling your life; it's about one act from each individual amassing to a million. In the past month alone, we have launched our French language companion site - Un Million De Gestes Verts (UMGV) - www.unmilliondegestesverts.com, and introduced a new Facebook application so all acts of green can be shared in users Facebook status updates and encourage other Facebook friends to act. Based on helpful user feedback to the OMAoG site, we have added new acts and soon, we'll launch seasonal acts some of which include:

* Recycle Your Christmas Tree
* Reuse or Make Your Own Wrapping Paper
* Send an e-Card Instead of a Paper Card
* Avoid Using Disposable Plates, Glasses, and Cutlery
* Avoid Excess Packaging, by Giving Gift Alternatives
* Buy Carbon Offsets

There will be continued updates and new material added to the OMAoG site as the campaign continues.
Surpassing 500,000 acts is massive. Congratulations and appreciation goes all Canadians who have taken the time and interest to commit one act of "green" (or more), then register those acts. Here's to the next 500,000! www.onemillionactsofgreen.com & www.unmilliondegestesverts.com.
Cisco is changing the way people work, live, play and learn in new and more sustainable ways. Through our technology, we enable people to make powerful connections whether in business, education, philanthropy or creativity. Our technology forms the foundation of the Internet and the Internet isn't a network of computers, it's a network of people. We call this "The Human Network" - a network of people with the power to change the world we live and work in. We believe change is a good thing, and that technology can and should improve life. Because of Cisco's solutions, people can come together in ways never before imagined. It doesn't matter whether walls, borders, mountains, or oceans stand in the way, over the network, people can come together and transform business, communities, governments, schools, and lives. Together, we are more powerful than we ever could be apart. When the human network sets out to solve a problem, the result is a Human Network Effect. www.cisco.com/ca
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. With 28 services offered on Radio, Television, the Internet, satellite radio, digital audio, as well as through its record and music distribution service and wireless WAP and SMS messaging services, CBC/Radio-Canada is available how, where, and when Canadians want it. www.cbc.ca/thehour