HGTV and the Natural Resources Defense Council Announce Partnership to Educate Consumers about Living Green

HGTV and the Natural Resources Defense Council Announce Partnership to Educate Consumers about Living Green

Web site, PSAs and Programming Offer Simple Steps to Reduce Environmental Impact

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., March 24 /PRNewswire/ -- HGTV, in partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), has launched the environmental phase of the HGTV 'Change the World. Start at Home'(SM) campaign. While the initial phase of the campaign focused on community revitalization, the green pillar of the initiative will focus on educating individuals about smart, actionable ways they can live eco-conscious and sustainable lifestyles.

Individuals will be able to explore NRDC's simple suggestions to improve their home, community and lifestyle by visiting http://hgtv.com/changetheworld.

Green topics include everything from home modifications for greater energy efficiency to using non-toxic paints for a safer home environment. Visitors to the site can sign up to receive the helpful green "tip of the day" and access an online glossary with green terminology. The Web site will also feature a simple steps news ticker, which displays how individual efforts are adding up to collectively make a significant positive impact on the environment.

"We've found through our own research and regular interactions with our viewers that consumers need help navigating the abundant and confusing information about green living," said Jim Samples, President, HGTV. "The second phase of the 'Change the World. Start at Home' campaign will provide the tips and ideas viewers need to make more informed choices about activities that impact the environment."

After conducting a study in January titled "Moving Consumers from Green Interest to Green Action," HGTV and NRDC wanted to help consumers identify green activities that can contribute to environmental preservation. The findings showed that Americans would be willing to do more if they understood how a particular green action could help the environment as well as benefit them personally. In fact, 78 percent said they were "willing to make a lifestyle change for the good of the environment."

"People are coming to realize that the environment isn't just a place you go visit. It's in our homes, under the sink and on the dinner plate. It's in the choices we all make every day," said Alex Kennaugh, Director of Marketing, NRDC.

In addition to the content found on http://hgtv.com/changetheworld, HGTV will air a series of public service announcements (PSAs) featuring Carter Oosterhouse, the popular host of 'Carter Can,' a weekly series airing on Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. ET/PT and 'Red Hot and Green,' a new series premiering on Monday, June 9 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The PSAs offer easy tips for viewers, such as unplugging electronics to save money on energy bills and switching from regular paper napkins to 100% recycled paper napkins.

Oosterhouse also will appear in the first 'HGTV Green Home Giveaway 2008,' a special premiering on Sunday, March 23 at 9 p.m. ET/PT that highlights HGTV's first custom-built, fully-furnished, eco-friendly home. During the HGTV Green Home Giveaway 2008(SM), viewers can enter for a chance to win the home at http://hgtv.com/greenhome beginning Friday, March 21, 2008 through Friday, May 9, 2008. In addition, they can tune in as it is presented to one lucky viewer during a live broadcast on Sunday, June 8 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

"Simple changes can make a big difference to our environment," said Oosterhouse. "Through our own actions, each of us can spread the word that helping to change the world really can start at home."

For tips and information on the campaign, please visit http://hgtv.com/changetheworld.

About HGTV

HGTV, America's leader in home and lifestyle programming, is distributed to more than 95 million U.S. households and is one of cable's top-rated networks. HGTV's website, HGTV.com is the nation's leading online home and garden destination that attracts an average of 5.4 million unique visitors per month. HGTV owns 33 percent of HGTV Canada and provides much of the Canadian network's daily programming. The network's branded programming also can be seen in 124 territories across all seven continents and its selected programming is available to service men and women on board Navy ships and through American Forces Radio & Television Service (AFRTS) which services more than 1,000 outlets in over 175 countries. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Nashville and New York, HGTV is wholly owned by The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE:SSP), which also operates Food Network, DIY Network, Fine Living and Great American Country.

About The Natural Resources Defense Council

The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has 1.2 million members and online activists, served from offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Beijing.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: HGTV

CONTACT: Vicki Hwang of Porter Novelli, +1-212-601-8237,
vicki.hwang@porternovelli.com, for HGTV; or Lynne Davis of HGTV,
+1-212-549-8612, ldavis@hgtv.com

Web site:

http://hgtv.com/changetheworld
http://www.hgtv.com/
http://hgtv.com/greenhome

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