Go dark to go green.

I think the picture pretty much says it all. Tonight is Earth Hour. From 8:30 to 9:30 we give our planet a break by turning off the lights. And hopefully everything else we own that draws power. It's an opportunity to take a break from all the technology in our lives, light some candles and maybe just enjoy each others' company. Or look at the stars. Sure, turning off your lights for an hour isn't going to end global warming all on it's own. It's a small gesture. But when you put all those small gestures together, they can have a huge impact. There is something very beautiful about the communal; enjoy it. And maybe while your lights are out and your computer is off and you aren't watching TV, you can spend 60 minutes thinking about what you can do for our planet all the other hours of the year. After all, we only have one.

Update: Toronto's power consumption dropped 15% during Earth Hour. Imagine if we did this more than once a year?

A little slow on the uptake...

It is Buy Local Week in Toronto. The week is almost over, I realize, but I just found out about it. I read the paper daily, in fact, multiple papers, and I just found out about it...Publicity problem, I think. But there are still a few days left. And, really, do you need a special week to buy local? No. Here is a link to Green Enterprise Toronto. Their website lists local businesses in all sorts of markets. They also explain who they are and why it is important to buy local. Support your community, check it out!

The Great Green Way!

In the quest to be more environmentally responsible in the production of entertainment, the Broadway theatre community announced today the launch of BROADWAY GOES GREEN, an industry-wide initiative to reduce Broadway's carbon footprint, adopt environmentally sustainable practices and promote environmental awareness in the creation and presentation of Broadway shows.
* The Broadway League press release, November 25, 2008

The Great White Way has gone green!

The initiative is meant to be long term, but here is a sampling of some of the first year goals:
1) Find green alternatives for new shows, meaning greener designs from the beginning and greener cleanups in the end.
2) Inform running shows about proven ways to reduce carbon emissions, waste, and other non-green things, including "more efficient use of energy, water & paper."
3) Energy efficient bulbs for marquees! Just one step towards a smaller carbon footprint.

But it isn't just about Broadway. The Broadway League wants to lead the way to making productions greener everywhere. One of their goals is also to use the information they gather to help theatres across the country go greener.

And it isn't just about the theatres. It's everyone.

Here is some of what has already happened:

PLAYBILL, in addition to being more green themselves, is going to report on the initiative, give updates, etc. and print "theatre related eco-tips" in their magazines.

Of 39 Broadway theatres, 10 have already switched their marquee lights to the more energy efficient bulbs. At least 14 more are in the process of following suite.

Scene production shops are coming up with ways to recycle and reuse scenery as well as offering more environmentally friendly materials in their original constructions.

Cold water washing for costumes! (This makes it harder to shrink things, too!!)

Sound equipment has switched to re-chargeable batteries.

Several touring shows are investing in renewal energy and "have purchased nearly 1,900 tons of offsets through the Touring Green program." This allows them to still transport everything a production requires while making more of a positive impact on the environment.

This might be the greatest thing to hit Broadway since wireless mics and tkts!

It certainly makes you think as an artist, if the most corporate of theatrical production can make a real effort to go green, certainly we can do our part. So next time you are in a show or a theatre or producing any kind of art, think about what you can do to follow the trend...Sometimes it's as simple as turning off the lights, at least long enough to switch to that more energy efficient bulb!