RTV goes a-treehuggin'
Not even two years ago, at the worldwide IBC conference in Amsterdam, the prospects for ecofriendly broadcasting looked bleak. Amidst thousands of professionals from all over the globe only some thirty attended a panel session on “the cost of being green”.
But under the surface the pace was gathering even then. Representatives from both the BBC and the French TF 1 talked on the first careful steps their respective channels were taking. But surprisingly the big push comes from NewsCorp’s Rupert Murdoch, whose Fox Channel in the U.S. is a notorious bashing forum for climate change adepts.
Nonetheless, already in 2007 Murdoch announced his intentions of getting all branches of his media imperium ‘climate neutral’ by 2011. A cascade of green actions has swarmed Murdoch’s companies since.
Apparently the old diehard was convinced to do so by his son and present NewsCorp chief exec. James, whose wife again is working for the Clinton Climate Initiative. Another green link within the Murdoch business is the Hollywood movie giant Twentieth Century Fox. In Hollywood environmental strategies have taken a firm hold in the past fifteen years.
Nuisance
Broadcasting cannot escape the green tide, experts say, as both suppliers and clients are asking for green guarantees and other corporate social responsibility action. Especially studio equipment, lighting and datacenters computer servers consume truck loads of energy. Discarded set pieces and other waste are an unnecessary nuisance.
In the Netherlands public as well as commercial channels have begun cutting or offsetting their ‘carbon footprints’ and reducing their waste production through tailor made disposal or recycling services. Organic food is slowly conquering the lunch canteens.
Interestingly, it is usually not the management but the technicians, editors or other on-the-ground folks that take the lead. After making ever so many documentaries on green issues, they now want to contribute something tangible themselves. Full story (in Dutch).
Photo: © Michel Robles
Martial Art
Once they were bullets, pistols or grenades. Now under the deft hands of Mozambique’s possibly most famous sculptor Goncalo Mabunda they have been transformed into Art.
Recycling AK-47's and other arms from the one-time civil war has become the trade mark of Mabunda and a couple of his fellow artists. I saw some of the results in a small B&B in Antwerp. But even the British Museum and the Bill Clinton Foundation acquired pieces from the 'Arms into Art' programme. Read more…
Photo: © Michel Robles
High on FSC
Ten years ago the Netherlands were an admired environmental pioneer nation. Nowadays, due to a shortsighted neoliberal policy we are almost tail-end Charley within the European Union. Belgium, on the other hand, is a real runner-up. Last December (2010) the Flemish Leukenheide distillery presented Dennenknopje (Pine Bud). Dennenknopje is the world’s very first jenever (traditionally a truly Dutch strong drink), made from a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) labeled wood product. The gin-like softbooze is distilled from pine cones from the Pinus silvestris. The pines grow in Flanders’ vastest, FSC certified forest region Bosland. A local high from an okay forest. Innovation can be anywhere.…
Questioning Plastiki pride
The newly designed cradle-to-cradle catamaran Plastiki has recently arrived is Sidney after a publicity voyage from California across the Pacific Ocean. The designers claim extreme recyclability. But, contrary to earlier announcements, the ship will not be up-cycled now that it has reached its destination. The builders say they've become too attached to their newborn baby. Of course, the vessel can be a showcase for years to come. But, hey, isn't this kind of attachment of people to their achievements precisely the reason why our earth is becoming such a cluttered place? www.theplastiki.com
Sweet C2C
Cradle-to-cradle handmade beauty: go haunt the town's antique and recycle shops and flea markets for a bunch of elegant (or maybe you prefer funny or modern design) plates, saucers and wine glasses. Wash them well, sand the glasses' brims lightly and glue things together with strong porcelain glue. Any shape, size and design you fancy, will do.
Lo and behold: you have now created your own home grown bonbonnière! For sweets, cookies, fruit - or sandwiches if you like. Ladies love'em! Dozens were sold in a fashion shop in my home town. Enjoy more...
Photos: © Michel Robles
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