Viddler

I was only introduced to SunChips® at the beginning of this year. Boy, are they delicious! And healthier than most other chips. As usual, the law of attraction kept SunChips® in my field of view even when I was least expecting it; at a friend’s place, at a gas station, at the cinema (in the candy bar and on the big screen). Now they’ve appeared where I spend most of my time — my computer.

It’s all good though, because around 145,000 bags of SunChips® are made every day using solar power at their California manufacturing plant. Giddy up! (By the way, I’m a sucker for those who are nice to Mother Nature.) This small step they’ve taken to being more environmentally conscious has spawned a contest in partner with National Geographic where anyone in the United States of America can submit ideas for a green initiative in their community. Don’t live in the U.S.A.? No doubt you know someone via the world wide web that lives in one of the 50 states. Share your idea with them and share in the prize of $20,000. Remember, it doesn’t matter where in the world you are, you can make a difference in another country via the Internet very easily.

The contest is called Green Effect. Here’s a promotional video that Flavio Vieira (subscribe – a lawyer with postgraduate studies in law and environmental management) posted of the contest.

You can find more awesome environmental stories on Flavio’s blog (it’s in Portuguese – here’s the blog translated to English).

Here’s the facts for the contest:

• You need to be a U.S. resident (as I said: tell a friend you know in the USA an the world can benefit)
• You need to be over 18 (a parent can enter for you if you’re under 18)
• You need to write an essay between 100-250 words describing your Green Idea and how it would create a positive change to your local environment and community. Optional: You may also submit up to 4 photographs and/or one 3-minute (or shorter) video to better describe your Green Idea.
• 10 finalists will be awarded a Flip Video camera and be required to record themselves answering questions from the sponsors about their Green Idea.
• 5 winners will be chosen to each receive $20,000, be profiled in National Geographic Magazine, and a trip to National Geographic Headquarters in Washington D.C. to present their ideas to environmental leaders.

Nifty, hey!

Get brainstorming on those Green Ideas quickly though! You only have until June 8th to submit your idea.

And, yes, I did happen to eat a packet of SunChips® today. #nom!