Hollywood's Going Green

Always a trend setter, some Hollywood productions are setting high standards when it comes to the environment. The leader is Warner Bros, who designed a sustainable sound stage, and has just completed the first LEED certified sound stage in the industry. What is LEED? It stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and get used to seeing that acronym because that is what buildings are now striving for.

Warner Bros has completed a 21,600 square foot stage that has received LEED certification. It incorporates numerous sustainable elements including use of sustainable, reused, and recycled construction materials and a solar electrical system now being installed. Other features that led to LEED certification included using fly ash in its concrete foundaton, energy efficient fluorescent house lighting, recycled steel and metals, and non-toxic paint and adhesives. There is a reflective roof, and solar panels are being installed. The panels will form a 100-kilowatt solar electrical system for generating clean energy. Kudos to Warner Bros for making this project a reality and and leading the way for others in the industry to do the same.

One of the other industry leaders in greening their productions is Fox's hit show "24". A year ago they boldly announced that they were going to reduce their carbon footprint-and wanted viewers to do the same. Now 365 days later, the show's producers say they've far exceeded their goals and will be the first show ever to achieve carbon neutrality.

So what exactly have they done? The long list includes replacing lighting with compact fluorescent lighting, introducing biodiesel-blended fuels to power generators and production vehicles, using hybrid vehicles, using all energy from renewable energy sources (mix of wind, hydro and solar), all scripts, schedules and other paperwork are now delivered electronically. They hope their efforts will inspire their viewers to do the same.

Keep your eyes and ears open to new buzz words like LEED certification and carbon neutrality. If the entertainment industry is doing it, the rest of us won't be far behind.