Broadway venues make commitment to reduce N.Y.C. carbon footprint

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and members of the Broadway community have made a commitment to "go green" so that Broadway becomes more environmentally responsible as they reduce their carbon footprint. In cooperation with the Mayor's Office of Long Term Planning and Sustainability and the Natural Resources Defense Council, producers, theatre owners, actors, organized labor, and companies supporting productions will now consider environmental impacts when putting on Broadway shows. Broadway Goes Green is the next in a series of challenges the administration has made to institutions-starting with universities-to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adopt more sustainable practices to help achieve the PlaNYC goal of reducing the city's carbon footprint 30% by 2030. The mayor unveiled the effort at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre. "Nearly a quarter of Broadway theaters have already switched the theaters' marquee lights to more energy-efficient bulbs-and the remaining theaters have pledged to do so within the next 12 months," said mayor Bloomberg. "By this time next year, the lights on Broadway will burn just as bright, but the energy bills and our city's carbon output will be lower. This commitment will raise the level of awareness for everyone involved in these shows-including the audiences-and that's going to have an impact that reverberates far beyond the big apple." Ten Broadway theatres have replaced over 10,000 exterior and interior bulbs and an additional 14 conversions are underway. The rest of the theaters have pledged to do the same within the next 12 months. Steps like these will help to reduce the load on the taxed electrical grid in the city. "Broadway reaches a huge audience, so in addition to Broadway doing our part to help the Earth, we hope to encourage theatergoers to take personal action to make meaningful changes in their daily lives," said The Broadway League chair Nina Lannan. As part of Broadway Goes Green, production shops are offering environmentally preferable materials and are developing plans to recycle or reuse scenery, costumes are being washed in cold water whenever feasible, and re-chargeable batteries are used in sound equipment whenever possible. Further, touring shows are offsetting the carbon emissions from transporting their equipment through investments in new wind and renewable power projects. Broadway theaters will also hand out tip cards to tell their audiences the things they can do to reduce their carbon footprint at home. "As Broadway shifts its theatre productions toward environmentally preferable operations its influence and leadership will reverberate throughout the entertainment world," said Dr. Allen Hershkowitz, senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). "Broadway's unique global visibility and unparalleled cultural influence offers a rare opportunity to move the marketplace towards environmentally intelligent products and, at the same time, help theaters save money and inspire their patrons. Bravo to Broadway for its leadership on this critical issue."