DEP Announces New Social Media Campaign to Promote Environmental Awareness

TALLAHASSEE ? In preparation for the 40th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22nd, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today launched an interactive blog, www.dep.state.fl.us/EasyAsOne and a Twitter account, www.twitter.com/EasyAsOne corresponding with its new environmental awareness campaign Easy As One ? Ordinary actions. Extraordinary results. The blog will serve as a hub of information for the campaign, which officially kicks off on Earth Day while the twitter account will share interactive tips, facts and events.

?Using innovative ways to get the message of environmental protection to the people of Florida is important,? said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. ?The blog and Twitter account provide easy access to fast facts and green tips, as well as an inside look at environmental efforts happening throughout the state.?

In celebration of Earth Day and the launch of Easy As One, there will be a Twitter contest from April 19-23. The contest will feature a prize pack of information and conservation items. To be eligible for the contest people must follow @EasyAsOne on Twitter, www.twitter.com/EasyAsOne. There will be at least one prize pack given away each day of the contest.

The first blog post, contributed by Secretary Sole, provides an explanation of DEP?s new campaign and upcoming events. The blog?s conversational tone tells the story of DEP and easy ways people can make small changes in their daily lives that have big results. Throughout the campaign events and images will be posted, showing the hard work of DEP?s district offices, other government agencies and private business and industry.

The EasyAsOne Twitter account will share quick tips for saving money and resources, including facts such as, if all the households in Florida changed just one incandescent light bulb to an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, the combined effort would save up to 351 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year -- enough energy to light all the households in Tallahassee for more than 2.5 years. The account will also focus on sharing information from other agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Florida?s water management districts.

Easy As One - Ordinary actions. Extraordinary results. is an environmental awareness campaign by DEP that highlights easy actions each one of us can take to make sustainable practices part of our daily lives at home, at school, at work and at play. As the lead agency in state government for environmental management and stewardship, DEP encourages citizens to adopt green habits that protect Florida?s air and water quality, conserve water and reduce waste. A sustainable Florida depends on the collective efforts of citizens, groups, businesses, industry and government. It happens with you.

To view the blog visit www.dep.state.fl.us/EasyAsOne. To follow on Twitter visit www.twitter.com/EasyAsOne.