Focus Earth Episode: That's (Green) Entertainment!

First, Focus Earth looks at Hollywood studios going green. Sure, the folks in Hollywood talk the talk—and, yes, even drive the hybrid—but do they truly walk the walk? In 2006, UCLA released a study that concluded that special effects explosions, idling vehicles and diesel generators made the entertainment industry a major California polluter, producing roughly 8.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents annually—just under the nine million tons produced by both the hotel and apparel industries. While all the studios have adopted eco-friendly pratices, Warner Brothers has long lead the charge: the first green building in the industry, the first to install a solar power system, the first to have a carbon neutral film in 2006, Syriana. Bob Woodruff tours the Warner Brothers lot with Shelley Billik, who was hired to run a recycling campaign 17 years ago; today, she is the company's Vice President of Environmental Initiatives and her office impacts almost every facet of production on this 114 acre campus—from converting their enormous set-building facility entirely to solar energy to constructing a soundstage from entirely recycled materials. Bob also talks with Diana Pokorny, Executive Producer for "Valentine's Day," a film starring Ashton Kutcher and Julia Roberts that is powering its base camp with solar power generators.

Then, Bob Woodruff looks at the television industry: he interviews the executive producer of "24," which in March became the first carbon neutral television production. This move was spurred by Rupert Murdoch's announcement that all of NewsCorps' entities would be carbon neutral by 2010. Bob talks with Executive Producer Howard Gordon about the commitment of staff and stars, and Kevin Tanger, President of Clear Carbon Consulting explains how his firm assessed the carbon footprint (2,179 tons of CO2 equivalents) of one season of "24." Focus Earth then goes on a tour of changes on set that led to a 43 percent reduction in emissions: biodiesel generators, low-emission hybrid vehicles, renewable energy, the recycling of sets, and schedules and scripts going online. To compensate for the emissions they didn't eliminate, Fox purchased "high quality" carbon offsets from a portfolio of wind projects in India—but is this sort of purchase a mere band-aid? Does writing a check allow companies to assuage their guilt and continue with business as usual? Bob Woodruff puts these questions to NewsCorp's Vijay Sudan who was responsible for purchasing wind in India.

Then, Bob Woodruff looks at how more and more stars are going green, but actor Ed Norton was basically raised green by a father committed to environmental causes long before they were fashionable. Norton's latest eco-effort: running with three members of the Maasai—an African tribe famous for its runners—in the New York City Marathon, November 1st. The run is a benefit for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, an organization working to promote sustainable development while protecting the East African grasslands that the Maasai—and some of the world's greatest wild animals—call home. Both the environment and the tribe's traditional way of life have been threatened by rapid industrial development. Bob talks with Norton, who has been a supporter of the trust for almost ten years, about training in the African bush with these extraordinary athletes, who wear shoes made from tires. He talks about his own difficulties in training, and his first time on twitter, filling in fans on his progress and raising money.

Finally, Focus Earth looks at the greening of the music industry: from the power it takes to run a recording studio to the energy needed to make millions of CDs to gas guzzling tour buses and hi-wattage concerts. The music industry can be a very dirty business for the environment, but some are trying to change that. Jack Johnson's recording studio is powered with renewable energies like wind and solar, Radiohead released one of their recent albums exclusively online to try eliminate the power intensive CD manufacturing process, bands like Linkin Park are touring with the environment in mind with biodiesel buses and local organic catering. Adam Gardner, the guitarist and singer for the band Guster, and his wife created "Reverb," a company to help his fellow performers do their job more responsibly. A sort of green music consulting firm, they have helped bands tour more responsibly since 2004: they have "greened" 1,120 events on 70 tours and reduced CO2 emissons by an estimated 62,608 tons. All these efforts add up to one thing—the music industry is (slowly) finding a way to entertain millions without damaging the Earth.

Watch Focus Earth: Greening the Music Industry on Planet Green.

Related Posts:
Ed Norton Runs With Team Maasai For the NYC Marathon
"24" Pledged to Go Green More Than A Year Ago; Is It Carbon Neutral Yet?
Is Hollywood Really Going Green?