Mid America Events & Expos

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Arctic Explorer Will Steger Issues a Global Warming "Assignment" for Fellow Minnesotans
His simple, positive steps - to be outlined at the Body Mind Life Expo™ -- can have a huge impact on our local economy and our health

From his wilderness home in Ely, Minnesota to his many educational excursions into the Twin Cities, famous arctic explorer Will Steger is hoping to spread the word among Minnesotans that by making some simple changes to their lives, they can improve the environment and our local economy.

Steger, who is currently launching a global warming educational initiative within Minnesota schools, says residents here are poised to take action. "Minnesotans are a fairly enlightened people, but we’ve been on the fence with this issue. My goal is to help people understand how even subtle, viable changes can add billions of dollars to our state’s economy.

Steger will tell Minnesotans how they can help during his live presentation at the 6^th annual Body Mind Life Expo™, to be held March 4-5, 2006 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

"Until a year or two ago, there was pretty much massive confusion as to whether global warming was real or not. Now that the science is in, the debate is over. With the recent hurricanes and high gas prices, the consequences of global warming are falling into our laps," says Steger. "Global warming means inflation and human misery. Now that it is hitting our pocketbooks, people are starting to listen."

Steger explains that global warming is a serious challenge affecting everything in our lives, from the economy to the environment. "It’s caused by the rise of CO₂ in our atmosphere – which comes mainly for our cars and energy use. The more CO₂, the warmer it becomes. So there’s a direct connection between our way of life and how we are changing our atmosphere This isn’t about cyclical weather changes. What we’re experiencing now is not remotely related to anything that’s happened in the past."

The good news is that there are easy solutions that don’t mean huge sacrifices. "The up side is that currently, a large percentage of our money goes outside the country for fuel, and into just a few pockets. As we get into new energy-efficient technologies, the majority of benefit goes into local economies. And the by-product is a clean environment."

Steger is issuing the following ‘assignment’ to Minnesotans so that they may do their part in improving global warming while also improving our local economy.

If paying $3 a gallon for gas is motivating you to look for a more fuel-efficient car, consider the new hybrid technology. The initial investment might be more, but you’ll save triple that over the lifetime of the car. If you are not in the market for a hybrid, save yourself some time by buying a car that gets at least 30 miles per gallon.
Look for ways to save on utilities. Turn off unnecessary lights and switch to the newer, more efficient light bulbs. If you’re building a new home, add more insulation. Install a more energy-efficient heating and air conditioning system. You’ll get your investment back in just a few years.
Support the efforts to bring the wind industry to Minnesota by buying wind power from your local utility. This is available to all Minnesotans. We have enough wind for all of our energy needs. We’ll supply our own labor and help out the rural farmers who are having financial troubles. So the money stays in our state, and the by-product is energy that is pollution-free.
Try to combine your errands. It will save money, plus wear and tear on your car.
Get active! Our natural tendency is to rely on someone else to do the dirty work. Educate yourself and become engaged with others in your community. This is an important issue for us, our children, our future, and everything that we cherish.
Exercise more. An active, vibrant community is fun to be around.
Take care of your health by eating more whole foods and fewer processed foods. Not everyone can afford organics, but if you can buy them you are supporting local agriculture.
Try to do a better job of recycling, especially plastics and other petroleum products. On recycle day in Richfield, I look at the garbage cans and see a lot of things that shouldn’t be going into our landfills. That’s very expensive to our environment.
Urge your elected leaders to pass strong renewable electricity standards at either state/federal levels.

"Minnesota is in a great position to benefit from new energy-efficient technologies," Steger concludes. "They mean economic security for our region. They also mean cleaner air. Most of the air pollution that we are all breathing now is energy inefficiency – old technology. And it’s causing asthma and shortening our lives. There’s no need to do that anymore! New technology means we can make a difference without tremendous sacrifices."

As Steger’s global warming initiative moves forward, he will begin posting additional tips and information on www.willsteger.com.

The Body Mind Life Expo™ is the Midwest’s largest health, wellness and natural products expo. In addition to hundreds of exhibitors representing cutting edge products and services, there will be two stages of nonstop informative speakers and great entertainment. The public also is invited to Ask the Pro Before You Go by visiting the official expo Web site at www.101expos.com.

Show hours are March 4th from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and March 5^th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3 with the half price coupon available on the Web site (www.101expos.com), and free to kids 17 and under when accompanied by an adult. Further information is available on the expo hotline: 612-798-7256.

Benefiting Other Area Women

One dollar of every paid admission will be donated to WomenVenture, anonprofit economic development agency for women. WomenVenture’s mission is to assist women in securing their own economic success and prosperity. WomenVenture helps women start and grow their own businesses, change or develop careers, and train for well-paying jobs in non-traditional industries.

This year’s Body Mind Life Expo™ is sponsored by KSTP Channel 5 TV, KSTC Channel 45 TV, and Icelandair.

Media Note: For additional information, or to schedule an advance interview with Will Steger, contact Media Relations, Inc. at 612-798-7220.

Biography – Will Steger

Internationally recognized for his expeditions to the arctic regions, Will is an adventurer, educator, photographer, author, lecturer and environmentalist. He will share from his experience how what we do to the environment here in Minnesota affects the entire global community, especially the arctic. Steger has logged thousands of miles of travel by dog sled in the arctic regions and become the voice calling for understanding and the preservation of the arctic. He was awarded National Geographic Society’s John Oliver La Gorce Medal for accomplishments in geographic exploration, in the sciences, and for public service to advance international understanding. He joins Amelia Earhart, Robert Peary and Jacques Cousteau in receiving this prestigious award.