Going Green: Fox's '24' going eco-friendly, reducing carbon emissions

"24" is a hot show cooling down to become environmentally friendly. Fox network executives have announced that the show will be the first television series to go green.

These same executives have pledged to reduce the show's carbon usage, but some say this is impossible because the show shoots many of its scenes on location versus using a single location.

The special effects, the constructing, followed by dismantling of buildings and other equipment, as well as the transportation from one scene to another, all adds to the carbon scale. However, according to the production manager of Twentieth Century Fox Television Mike Posey, lowering the carbon footprint (how many metric tons of carbon produced) would be a great achievement because "24" is their most expensive show.

Executives have begun an overhaul for environmental applications including solar panels for their warehouses, environmentally friendly bamboo flooring and a fleet of new low emission Priuses for drivers of the crews. Also, new generators are being run on biodiesel and fluorescent lights have been installed.

Because of the steps already taken to reduce carbon emissions, Posey stated they have "reduced its emissions by 125 metric tones". This is equivalent to taking almost thirty cars off the highway. Can anyone else in the television business say that?

Although many efforts have been made to become more carbon neutral, Posey and other associates have had to make some hard decisions including letting more than 50 people go. The switching from traditional appliances to eco-friendly appliances such as halogen lamps fitted with eco-friendly bulbs and smaller more conservative office space also takes some time and a lot of work.

One thing that "24" cannot deny is the fact that all the action the show puts on is not so carbon neutral and the impact is hard to change without major consequences.

All in all the television business is changing; and you could even say the money-making, or saving in this case, is and will continue to make changes that are environmentally friendly. "24" has taken the first steps and is bringing a bright future for the earth because of the measures taken and other people in the movie business should take these measurements into consideration.

Face it, it's not how much money you make, its how you spend it and how much you spend. Why not spend your fortune for the future of mankind? Do you want to be remembered? The future looks dim without the help of eco-friendly measures and what better way than seeing your favorite show like "24" and how those people make a difference.