Shell Canada and Canadian Geographic launch Energy Diet Challenge

As part of the Challenge, six households from across Canada are competing to earn points for creativity, participation, overall energy reduction and accumulation of audience votes. One household could win a grand prize consisting of either a Toyota Prius v or a high performance bike package. Additional prizes can also be won throughout the Challenge.

“By following the various families, we hope other Canadians will be inspired to improve their own energy efficiency. As a major energy supplier, Shell wants to be part of the solution by helping people use the energy resources we produce more wisely,” said Lorraine Mitchelmore, Shell Canada President and Country Chair.

Canadians can view the families’ progress and track their own energy use at energydiet.canadiangeographic.ca. The website will be updated on a regular basis with helpful tips, celebrity guest blogs and other content. People can vote up to once per day for their favourite household.   

“At Canadian Geographic, we are dedicated to helping Canadians learn more about the country and its resources. Energy resources are a vital part of our country's natural heritage and the Energy Diet Challenge will help all Canadians increase their energy literacy and make a hands-on environmental difference every day,” said John Geiger, President of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.

The Energy Diet Challenge runs from September to December and will also see the families compete in an urban race in Calgary on October 1, 2011 to test their energy saving skills and knowledge, as well as a challenge to see which household can travel farthest on a litre of fuel in the Toronto area on October 29.

Enquiries:

Shell: For journalists and media inquiries only: Reporters and editors may contact Shell Media Relations at media-desk@shell.com or 1-877-850-5023. Please provide both your email and phone number as some queries will only be answered via email.

Canadian Geographic: Please contact Jessica Harding at harding@canadiangeographic.ca or 1-613-745-4629 ext 130.

Notes to Editors

• The participating households are from Marsh Lake (Yukon Territory), Nanaimo (British Columbia) Calgary (Alberta), Osgoode (Ontario), St. Bruno (Quebec) and Varennes (Quebec).
• Backgrounders and stock photography are available for each household