IN RUN UP TO COPENHAGEN CLIMATE SUMMIT, GLOBAL GREEN HONORS LEADERS IN COMBATTING CLIMATE CHANGE

Innovation in Energy Efficiency and Renewables Among Reasons for Recognizing PG&E; Greenest Academic Building in NYC Inspires Cooper Union Students to Lead Into Future; Others Driving Change Via Education, Policy and Finance Across US

Awards Ceremony Hosted by Emmy award-winning actor Brian Cox

November 9, 2009—New York, NY—Global Green USA, an innovative environmental organization focused primarily on stemming global climate change by creating green buildings and cities, today celebrated the recipients of its 10th annual Sustainable Design Awards.  As the U.S. Congress deliberates on climate legislation and the world prepares for the upcoming Copenhagen Climate Conference, Global Green selected five honorees who are demonstrating effective climate solutions today by designing green business, schools, governments, and utilities, as well as establishing new networks of businesses and investors to address climate change, that set the example for others to follow.  These innovators and leaders are working to protect New York and other coastal cities from global warming, while creating a sustainable economy. 

Hosted by Emmy award-winning actor, Brian Cox of Deadwood and The Bourne Supremacy, the Awards took place at Pier Sixty in Chelsea Piers in Manhattan.  Featured presenters included Miles O’Brien, host of PBS’ Blueprint America, and David Brancaccio host of PBS’ Now.

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The honorees for this year’s Sustainable Design Awards include:

• Ceres -- Mindy Lubber, President -- Organizational Design Award
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art – Dr. George Campbell Jr., President -- Green Building Design Award
• PG&E Corporation -- Peter A. Darbee, President, CEO, and Chairman -- Corporate Design Award
• Sebastian Copeland -- Explorer, Photographer, Advocate -- Founders Award
• Terry Tamminen and Bonnie Reiss -- Pegasus Sustainable Century Merchant Bank -- Policy Design Award

The Sustainable Design Awards raise critically needed funds to support all of Global Green’s initiatives, including the green rebuilding of New Orleans homes, schools, and the Holy Cross Project.  In addition, it supports Global Green’s National Green Schools Initiative, creating healthier learning environments in Los Angeles and around the country, as well as Global Green’s general efforts to combat global warming and improve the lives of those in need.

“The individuals and organizations receiving this award have done a tremendous amount to help the environment and to move business forward in a green way,” said Matt Petersen, President and CEO of Global Green USA.  “I created this award ceremony ten years ago and each year it gets harder and harder to choose whom to honor because there is so much great work in this area.”

Global Green USA attracts many high-profile individuals who support its mission, including the following co-chairs: Leonardo DiCaprio, Josh Lucas, Anne and Jerry Moss, Jeremy Wiesen, Pat Mitchell and Scott Seydel. 

Among the notable guests who attended this year’s Awards was the star of Damages, The O.C., and Ally McBeal, Tate Donovan; Ugly Betty’s Tony Plana; Deputy Director/General Counsel at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Gary Guzy; Manhattan Borough President, Scott Stringer; Good Housekeeping Editor-in-Chief, Rosemary Ellis; and architect, Pritzker Architecture Prize Winner, and Founder of Morphosis, Thom Mayne. 

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