The Great White Way went green last week. Wicked’s witch and NYC’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg took the stage together to announce a dramatic partnership between the energy-sucking theater district and the city’s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability. However, the Broadway League was already working with NRDC’s Allen Hershkowitz to lower its carbon footprint. Initiatives include energy-efficient CFL and LED bulbs, costumes cleaned in eco-suds and cold water, and aches soothed with bags of frozen peas instead of chemical ice packs. At the St. James theatre alone, 600 marquee lights went from 25 watts each to five watts per light. Bravo!

The White House aims to be more eco-efficient, too, once President-elect Barack Obama moves in. He told Barbara Walters in an interview last week that he plans to turn off the lights and unplug electronics at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, just like his family does in their Chicago digs. Too bad Reagan removed Jimmy Carter’s solar panels. Meanwhile, Pope Benedict had 2,400 solar panels installed at the Vatican last week.

Posted by Roberta Cruger on Dec 1, 2008 at 3:42 PM
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When Sarah Palin conducted an interview with an Alaskan TV station inside a turkey slaughterhouse, fowl imagery behind her showed the unpardoned birds fated for dinner plates. This Thanksgiving, let’s express gratitude about the election results before our Tofurkey or free-range meals.

President-elect Obama opened Gov. Schwarzenegger’s International Climate Change Summit last week in LA in a taped message stating his commitment to “a new era of global cooperation on climate change.” After reading Michael Pollan’s article about factory food’s contribution to greenhouse gasses, Obama may consider Willie Nelson’s Farm Aid appeal. Meanwhile, Dubya scrambles to lift environmental protections before his not-soon-enough exit.

Posted by Roberta Cruger on Nov 25, 2008 at 11:30 AM
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It’s “Green Week” again at NBC and cable-affiliated networks like CNBC and Bravo. Even The Weather Channel is airing special Forecast Earth reports. Starting with Sunday’s football game, the network will devote 150 hours of eco-themed programming in conjunction with its “Green is Universal” policy. Despite the greenwashing criticism of last year’s effort, it’s good to see this idea wasn’t a one-off and the reprise may not include scripts quite as corny as those in 2007 -- though the Lipstick Jungle gals are headed to a green resort.

“Green Your Routine” tips by celebs run during breaks, featuring cast members like Jane Krakoswki and Jack Brayer of 30 Rock, John Krasinski of The Office, Masi Oka and Zachary Quinto of Heroes, newscasters Ann Curry and Meredith Viera as well as Tori Spelling, Tiki Barber, and Debra Messing. The campaign reminds viewers of the usual tips—walk to work, pay bills online, and shop with reusable bags—and also offers practical ways to “make a difference and save the planet.”

Posted by Roberta Cruger on Nov 19, 2008 at 11:09 AM
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Appropriately named comedian Tom Green debuted a new quiz show, Go For the Green, on Discovery’s Planet Green Channel last Saturday night. The oddball hosts 50 contestants in front of a live audience in three frenetic rounds on this green-oriented Q&A session. Test your own eco-mettle with an online version, and study the facts and figures with the informative “Green Your Brain” website.

Talk about odd: With dozens of channels on the satellite Dish network, it seems wrong that it’s necessary to purchase the top-flight package of basic programming to view the 24/7 green channel. It should be in the Top 100. With Robert Redford’s Sundance more accessible, catch its block of environmental shows, such as Big Ideas for a Small Planet and the fourth season of Iconoclasts featuring green-tinted folks like Sir Richard Branson, Cameron Diaz and eco-fashion designer Stella McCartney.

Posted by Roberta Cruger on Nov 12, 2008 at 5:27 PM
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What will we do with all our time and energy now that this historic election ends this week? Maybe take Michael Moore’s suggestion from his new book, Mikes’ Election Guide 2008, and campaign to make 11/4 a national holiday? In an effort to attain a record turnout on Election Day, Moore offered his movie, Slacker Uprising, as a free download. A recognized selection at the Toronto Film Festival, this documentary focuses on those who didn’t bother voting in 2004.

The effort to get folks to vote is supported by an entire constellation of stars, A new batch of spots joined the “Declare Yourself” PSA campaign, with Tom Cruise, Will Smith, Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg, Colin Farrell, Ben Stiller, Scarlett Johansson, Shia LeBeouf, Tobey Maguire, and green activists like Cameron Diaz, Harrison Ford and Julia Roberts making appearances in the web-based ads. Sacha Baron Cohen as Borat said: “What you do inside a voting booth is a secret!” Produced and directed by Leonardo DiCaprio, the effort helped get hundreds of thousands of people to register to vote.

Posted by Roberta Cruger on Nov 3, 2008 at 1:59 PM
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