Alexandra Cousteau Leads the Launch of Newsroom Spearheading Awareness of Global Water Issues
Presented by Alexandra Cousteau – global water advocate and granddaughter of legendary storyteller and explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau – The Blue Legacy Newsroom aims to be the go-to source for identifying and understanding important water events.
WASHINGTON, D.C., September 9, 2015 /3BL Media/ — Creating greater awareness of water events and sustainable water stewardship, the Blue Legacy Newsroom, a partnership between Blue Legacy International (Blue Legacy) and The Global Environment & Technology Foundation (GETF), with support from Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. (Keurig) (NASDAQ: GMCR), has unveiled its first pilot video news stories exploring the nutrient pollution challenges and toxic blue algae on Lake Champlain, Vermont.
The innovative public-private partnerships and policy reform in Vermont coupled with the Lake’s long history of research provide a rich background for launching the Newsroom’s first news videos in its effort to shape a public dialogue around water stewardship and a sustainable water future.
Lake Champlain is one of the largest bodies of water in the U.S. outside the Great Lakes and is home to more than 80 species of fish and other marine life. It’s also the primary drinking water source for more than 200,000 residents. High levels of nutrient pollution in the water system can result in cyanobacteria, often called blue-green algae, which can sometimes produce neurotoxins that can be deadly to wildlife and animals, not to mention paralyzing our drinking water supply.
The Blue Legacy Newsroom brings together global water advocate and Blue Legacy Founder Alexandra Cousteau with the production of original multi-media content to provide comprehensive coverage on water events across the US and countries around the world. The Newsroom, with expeditions led by Alexandra Cousteau, creates and distributes accessible water news for real people through compelling storytelling that raises awareness of the important water related events we experience with increased frequency and intensity in everyday life.
“Water is the defining issue of the 21st century. As we work to better understand how it connects us all, I believe we must be connected in working together for solutions,” said Alexandra Cousteau, Founder and President of Blue Legacy International. “For too long, the environmental movement has asked people to protect things they’ve never had the opportunity to experience. The Newsroom provides the resources needed to bring the water stories and events happening in our backyards and around the world to the front page of everyone’s lives. I am excited to launch the Newsroom by telling the story of nutrient pollution in Lake Champlain with the support of water experts, Vermont residents, GETF, and Keurig Green Mountain,” added Cousteau.
The first video news story captures the nutrient pollution challenges affecting Vermont's Lake Champlain – Tackling Toxic Troubles: Part 1. The first video news story gives an introduction to Lake Champlain, exploring the causes of nutrient pollution and features interviews with an organic dairy farmer, local residents, water quality scientists, and Vermont-based Keurig Green Mountain, among others who share insights and views on nutrient pollution and the harm it has on Lake Champlain and the surrounding natural resources.
“While availability of clean water is a global issue, we also see increasing instances of water challenges in the United States where water is a resource that has often been taken for granted,” says Monique Oxender, Chief Sustainability Officer at Keurig. “In our home state of Vermont, we are investing up to $5 million over the next five years in water quality improvements, a catalytic action which will be matched by other funders. Vermont will be a testing ground – and hopefully serve as a replicable model for other watersheds – for innovative public-private partnerships.”
The Newsroom’s second video news story – Tackling Toxic Troubles: Part 2 – explores solutions for reducing nutrient pollution and highlights leadership in tackling this issue in Vermont. The video news story will feature interviews with Vermont’s Governor Peter Shumlin and The Nature Conservancy.
The Blue Legacy Newsroom has access to the water information resources, data and expertise that no other news gathering organization has, to uncover and investigate water issues that impact every human. With the goal of sharing compelling relatable stories through its exclusive expertise, network of water experts, and Alexandra Cousteau’s authentic global brand - the launch of the Newsroom utilizes subject matter experts, extensive in-house footage and image libraries, and a proven track record of insightful storytelling. Since 2009, Blue Legacy has been exploring water issues around the globe and sharing its findings through short films, mainstream media and social media.
Blue Legacy International
Blue Legacy International (www.bluelegacy.net) is a 501(c)(3) water-focused non-profit, founded by global water advocate, National Geographic explorer, and filmmaker Alexandra Cousteau–granddaughter of legendary storyteller and explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Blue Legacy International’s mission is to empower people to reclaim and restore the world’s water, one community at a time. Through strategic collaborations, our work infuses environmental science, technology, and exploration into digital media and storytelling assets to build public awareness and inspire more sustainable water management actions.
Global Environment & Technology Foundation
The Global Environment & Technology Foundation (GETF), established in 1988, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to promote sustainable development through partnerships and targeted action. GETF works with public and private partners to shape a brighter future for communities and the environment by creating and managing high-impact partnerships, introducing new technologies and directing programs that have a lasting and positive impact on the world. GETF is the program manager for the Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN), which is the signature community initiative of The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation. RAIN will transform the lives of at least 6 million people in Africa by 2020 through sustainable safe water access. GETF also manages the Water and Development Alliance and the Project Last Mile Partnership between The Coca-Cola Company and USAID. GETF is also home to Global Water Challenge and the US Water Partnership.
Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
As a leader in specialty coffee, coffee makers, teas and other beverages, Keurig Green Mountain (NASDAQ: GMCR), is recognized for its award-winning beverages, innovative brewing technology, and socially responsible business practices. The Company has inspired consumer passion for its products by revolutionizing beverage preparation at home and in the workplace. Keurig supports local and global communities by investing in sustainably-grown coffee and by its active involvement in a variety of social and environmental projects. By helping consumers drink for themselves, we believe we can brew a better world. For more information visit: www.KeurigGreenMountain.com. To purchase Keurig® products visit: www.Keurig.com or www.Keurig.ca. For more information about the new Keurig® KOLD™ system, coming soon: www.Keurig.com/kold
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Media Contact
Jennifer Bennett
Gramercy PR for Blue Legacy
415.596.6770
Jennifer.bennett@gramercypr.com
Amanda Pope
Blue Legacy
703.939.8237
