2007 Climate Champion Awards
Honor Leaders in Climate Action

Every year, Clean Air-Cool Planet honors individuals, corporations, communities, and campuses that have demonstrated true leadership, innovation, and creativity in the fight against global warming. These "Climate Champions" are taking the lead on climate action through their exemplary dedication to principles of sustainability.

2007 Awards

Clean Air - Cool Planet Board Chair Susan Tierney presented the 2007 Climate Champion Awards. Janice Crawford, executive director of the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, won the award for individual leadership on climate action.

Community leaders earning the biannual award were Maplewood, NJ, whose mayor, Fred Profeta was on hand to accept the award, and Cambridge, MA, the award for which was accepted by City Manager Robert Healy.

Mt. Wachusett State College won the campus leadership award. The members of ReEnergize NH also won an award for their organizing work resulting in Step It Up climate action events across New Hampshire in the spring of 2007. More than a dozen members of the youth group were on hand to receive the award from writer/activist Bill McKibben, one of the keynote speakers at the 2007 Global Warming & Energy Solutions conference in Manchester, NH.

Oakhurst Dairy and Staples, Inc. were honored for corporate commitment to climate change solutions. Oakhurst Dairy, based in Portland, Maine, installed solar panels to heat water for its dairy operation, committed to using biofuel in its delivery vehicles, and instituted a number of energy efficiency measures. The award was presented by Sue Tierney, chair of the board for CA-CP. “It is unusual to see this level of commitment from a small privately-held, family-run firm," said Tierney. "Oakhurst Dairy has shown that it’s possible for even small businesses to make hugely significant leaps in combating global warming. Clearly, Oakhurst Dairy is leading by example.” The award was accepted by John Bennett, Vice President of Sales for the family-owned dairy.

Staples, Inc., the office-supply giant, received a climate champion award for its energy efficiency, recycling, and carbon reduction efforts. Staples has also installed solar panels and is working to enhance fuel economy of its fleet. Staples sells green products made of recycled materials, and offers recycling services to customers for toner cartrdges, electronic components, and other products. “It is clear from these steps that Staples has shown that it possible for businesses to make hugely significant leaps in combating global warming, and the value of leading by example,” Tierney said, as she presented the award to Mark Buckley, Staples Vice President for Environmental Affairs.