Save Some Money on Energy and Beautify the Planet for Earth Day

Hmmm, I really want to do this, but your link doesn't work and when I Google GEProjectPlantABulb.com, nothing comes up. Any suggestions?

Jeez, what a dud program! How does General Electric get an idea as clever as this one so terribly wrong. The websight that didn't work until today is so well hidden and unexciting that it makes me wonder what the ulterior motive is for having this program. I bet if you dug deep, some environmental group got on their case for tearing down trees or dumping mercury into a river and, as part of an agreement not to prosecute or pursue negative press, they agreed to plant 100,000 tulips (dependent on the traffic to a websight. Then, to minimize their financial exposure, they launched this lame-ass program that will draw like 25 people. I guarantee there is a story like this somewhere if you look for it. There's no other explanation for this dud. Another example of a corporate giant patronizing the green movement! Likely!

Also, who is auditing the so-called 'unique visitors'? I bet that is an internal audit. how convenient. And where are they planting these bulbs? Very fishy.

Camron, I couldn't agree more. Finding this program on their website is like finding a needle in a haystack.

I found the sight mentioned in a twitter tweet. Funny, the tweet mentioned Chicago (which is where I am) but the article above mentions Ohio (I found that GE lighting is in ohio, so that must be the connect - or disconnect as the case may be. What a sham!

Thanks for your comments Elizah and Camron. Asking questions and challenging what you read and hear creates necessary dialogue – especially when the issue at hand may seem confusing. We also regret you had troubles finding the actual Web site when you searched. You can just go directly to it from this link: www.projectplantabulb.com.

Project Plant-a-Bulb is really an educational initiative. The campaign does not seek to deceive or take advantage of its supporters and volunteers – it is quite the opposite.

We have the opportunity to use the tools at our disposal to tell a story to many people about the benefits of beautifying our earth and helping people become more energy efficient. We will also be planting up to 100,000 actual flower bulbs in support of Earth Day.

In regards to the reference to Chicago and seeing Ohio listed, that’s easily addressed. During April and early May, we will be visiting cities across the Midwest, going to schools and urban areas, among others, to plant and help beautify those areas.

Recently, we were presented with a great opportunity to visit Chicago and kick-off the initiative at two Chicago elementary schools (Carpenter and St. Procopius Elementary Schools).

A group of us visited to teach students about the benefits of planting and how to save energy. It was an amazing experience for our team and for the students. We got dirty, planted flowers, played with worms and really engaged the students.

This was one of many places we will visit throughout the Midwest, including areas in Ohio to do our part. We encourage you to visit our Facebook page to see the following we are already building just in the last few days, and are constantly updating this information and our progress.

The link is: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/252417/45390590?m=c4bb4f3c&ref=nf

Again, thanks for your comments and hopefully you find this response helpful and informative. Please let us know if we can provide you with any further information.

Thanks!

Ralph
Member of Project Plant-a-Bulb Team

Hmmm.. Lots of words, nothing actually said. Who is auditing this program? Where are you planting the bulbs? Why is GE spending money on this - who put them up to it? Are you with GE, or with a GE spin machine? What is the REAL STORY?

I'm from Ohio, and I actually saw a commercial about this project on the television the other day. I believe they're doing this because they're trying to capitalize on the green movement. Think about it--the economy is not doing so hot right now, so they have to figure out how to sell more lightbulbs to people who already have them or get them at a cheaper price from some other company. The best was for them to do that is to put out a bunch of advertisements saying 'look at our project', 'for evey time a different person visits our site we'll plant a flower', and the hope is that a bunch of people who want to save money and go green will go perusing on the site and say 'hey this is a good company doing a good thing that just might save me money and help the environment--I think I'll buy their lightbulb." Now, whether or not they're actually doing what they say they're going to do is a whole different story. I guess I'll just have to wait and see if there are more flowers popping up around here in the next couple weeks.

I may be in the minority here, but don't we want them to give them the benefit of the doubt? At least they are trying to do something. Look I am not a big fan of companies that say one thing and do another. Look at GM. However on this one, shouldn't we encourage them to do better? What suggestions can we give them to make the program a success? Ralph, can you post your results with us? How about getting a couple of Greenwala's (is that the right way to describe who we are by joining this site?) to see first hand what you are doing? Anyway, it is a tough economy out there and I hope you are successful with this campaign.