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Teams Go Green...

April 22, 2008 2:49 PM

BRISTOL, Connecticut

Whenever the word “green” was mentioned in the realm of professional sports…. it used to revolve around the substantial number of dollar bills being doled out to athletes.

Now, it’s a two pronged term. Yes, teams still overpay players, but at least they’re saving the planet at the same time.

Today, the Seattle Mariners will celebrate Earth Day before they even take to the field, by sponsoring Major League Baseball’s first carbon-neutral game. In addition to implementing a recycling program for paper, plastic, and food scraps, the team is purchasing “green” power credits to off-set their sizable carbon footprint. This money will fund renewable energy facilities – like wind farms - throughout the northwest. Based on calculations, one ballgame will apparently produce more than 230 tons of carbon dioxide. Contributing factors include flight travel for both teams and umpires, ground transportation for fans, electricity and natural gas used at the stadium, disposal or recycling of waste generated during the game. Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln stated, in a news release, “We know that just buying carbon offsets isn’t enough. This is not a one-time event for us.” Also today, the 2007 World Champion Boston Red Sox with be recognized during a pre-game ceremony for their environmental initiatives, which include the installation of solar powered trash compactors around Fenway Park, and solar panels that will soon help heat hot water.

Not to be outdone, the Washington Nationals have taken things one step forward, and opened their season at home last month in the nation’s first entirely green-built ballpark. Among the environmentally-friendly elements are low-flow plumbing, high-efficiency lighting, recycled building materials, and a 6300 square foot green roof covered with plants, that absorb rainwater, thus reducing runoff to a nearby river. Next up to bat is Citi Field, the NY Mets new stadium, set to open next year. It will feature, among other things, recycled steel beams, concrete made from coal combustion ash, energy and water conservation.

And in the state of New Jersey, home to some of the country’s worst air pollution, the NBA’s Nets did their part by holding a series of “Green Nights,” during which environmental organizations set up booths in the concourse area to educate fans – many of whom were in line for hot-dogs - on how to live a green life.  Like the Mariners, they held a carbon-neutral game earlier in the season. And what better way to grab people's attention than hand out "free stuff?" Five-thousand fans walked away from a recent game with free compact fluorescent light-bulbs.

Of course, all of this is old news to the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, who were first out of the starting gate with their “go green” initiative, back in 2003. By purchasing renewable energy, tree planting programs, installing solar panels on their stadium, and recycling efforts, the team estimates that it has eliminated the greenhouse gas emissions of almost 1,800 automobiles, and saved 2,300 trees. Even team employees are getting in on the action – anyone who signs up for wind energy over conventional energy will be reimbursed for the cost difference.

Even some race cars now benefit from environmentally-friendly bio-fuel. When Indy car drivers push their pedal to the medal, it is ethanol, which is a byproduct of corn, and not gasoline, that make their cars reach speeds over 200 mph….which is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field in one second. 

All of this is a hop, skip, and a jump in the right direction, but remember, it is only the tip of the [melting] iceberg, and there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. Happy Earthday everyone.

April 22, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (0)

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