Robert McKnight
1-30-09
10:21
The NFL is taking steps to reduce the environmental impact of the Super Bowl. Where their environmental program used to only include simple recycling, they are now donating food, buying renewable energy, and planting trees to compensate for their massive carbon footprint. Solar power from panels in the Tampa Bay area as well as biomass energy from South Florida is to keep more than 313,000 pounds of CO2 emissions out of the atmosphere this Super Bowl. Additionally, 2,700 trees are being planted in the area and the ticket provider, "StubHub," began planting a tree for every ticket sold under its "Tickets for Trees" program. The uneaten food generated by the big game will be given to local charities and churches for prompt distribution. Even the building materials, decorations, office equipment, and so forth (needed for pre-game activities) are headed for nonprofit organizations to either sell or use for themselves. Last year's Super Bowl was also "green."
There you have it. Even the biggest, manliest, advertising-est organization is acknowledging their responsibility to take care of the planet. And it's not as if they'd lose a ton of ratings if they didn't power the game with solar power or plant trees or donate food. It'd be cool if that many Super Bowl fans cared about the environment, but the environment will probably be the last thing on most of their minds come Sunday. So... It seems as though the NFL is simply recognizing the fact that they're a massive energy and resource draw and if they want to have a planet to host the Super Bowl much longer they'd better do something to settle the "score." Hopefully some myths are being dispelled about the kinds of people (wussies and drama queens) think the environment ought to be cared about. Hopefully...
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