Jack Bauer's Next Mission: Fighting Global Warming

[DeepModem Mom]

WP: Eco Wise
Jack Bauer's Next Mission: Fighting Global Warming
Sunday, August 5, 2007; Page M03

From "An Inconvenient Truth" to popularizing the Prius, Hollywood has helped lead the way on some environmental issues. One of the latest initiatives: Cool Change, Fox's company-wide program to reduce the network's impact on global warming. As part of that effort, the seventh season of "24" will take steps to reduce and offset the carbon emissions from the show's production, with the goal of having the season finale be entirely carbon-neutral.

It may sound like a publicity stunt, but Fox spokesman Chris Anderson says the network isn't after bigger ratings. "We are publicizing '24's' commitment to climate change for two reasons and two reasons only: to inspire the public to take global warming seriously and hopefully to motivate other studios to make changes to their production practices as well," he says.

After all, shooting on soundstages requires energy-hungry lighting and gear, and going on location means using portable generators and driving trucks, vans and cars loaded with equipment, costumes and people. When production on Season 7 begins this month, the show's 26 diesel vehicles and five generators will run on a more planet-friendly biodiesel blend, which will start at 5 percent biodiesel and gradually increase, barring any problems, according to executive producer Howard Gordon.

The show's electricity bills will go toward renewable-energy credits that will bring a share of wind, solar and water power to Los Angeles's grid. A diesel-powered soundstage will be converted to electricity, thus lessening the show's contribution to the local air pollution problem, and the show's five location scouts will be given Priuses to drive. Scripts, schedules and memos -- which used to be hand-delivered by car -- will be sent via e-mail.

The "24" page at Fox.com now features energy conservation tips and a public service announcement about global warming featuring Kiefer Sutherland; more information will be posted when the show airs in January. Plus, climate change will be incorporated into the series' plot (which just might scare some viewers into taking action)....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/02/AR2007080202057.html?nav=hcmodule

(NOTE: DeepModem Mom knows an employee of Fox Entertainment Network -- home of "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy" -- and, despite the conservative views of its ownership, the greening of that entire company is serious, happening and being generously financed.)

[babylonsister]

1. DAMMIT! I was done with Jack and his shenanigans because he was

really boring this past year. Now your insight might make me watch it again, but my DH is a diehard fan, so he might learn something!
Thanks. I think. :7

[environmentalist]

2. But will they talk about the "denial machine" they've been part of?

While I think it's great whenever any media outlet reaches out on climate change, and agree that there are many employees at FOX Entertainment who are environmentally conscious, it would be great if they incorporate the truth about the global warming denial machine into their plot line as described in this Newsweek article: A Truth About Denial.

Here's a snip:

Since the late 1980s, this well-coordinated, well-funded campaign by contrarian scientists, free-market think tanks and industry has created a paralyzing fog of doubt around climate change. Through advertisements, op-eds, lobbying and media attention, greenhouse doubters (they hate being called deniers) argued first that the world is not warming; measurements indicating otherwise are flawed, they said. Then they claimed that any warming is natural, not caused by human activities. Now they contend that the looming warming will be minuscule and harmless. "They patterned what they did after the tobacco industry," says former senator Tim Wirth, who spearheaded environmental issues as an under secretary of State in the Clinton administration. "Both figured, sow enough doubt, call the science uncertain and in dispute. That's had a huge impact on both the public and Congress."

As FOX has been a major part of that well-coordinated, well funded campaign, I would hope, if they're going to now present climate change as part of their storylines and PSAs, they would also show how the truth has been manipulated by the media to get us to this point.

Posted by The Environmentalist

[DeepModem Mom]

3. Welcome to DU, environmentalist!

Denial is a big part of the story, and it would, indeed, be great if it were told.

[environmentalist]

4. Thanks!

Thanks for the nice welcome and for the informative post. Both are most appreciated!


Posted by The Environmentalist