I shot this sign in Miami and now the image seems particularly appropriate for post-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas table-grazing events, gift exchanges and yard decor. Feel free to use it for your holiday greetings! All it needs is some artificial snow or mysterious flair.
Thank you Trikers for bringing vision to life.
Thank you clients for taking a risk.
Thank you designers for trying Tryk.
Thank you editors for sharing our story.
Thank you friends for giving selflessly.
Thank you families for your patience and support.
Happy Thanksgiving to all…
I was first introduced to the “Green is Universal” initiative while watching a Sunday Night Football game with my husband. Looking back, I couldn’t tell you the final score of the game but I’ll never forget SNF’s contribution to going green. At the end of “Football Night in America”, the studio went dark and was to remain that way through the end of the game. I could hear my husband mutter something along the lines of “I wonder how much electricity they use in the stadium” and “I’m sure all of the lights aren’t really off in the studio”. Then he went back to vocalizing his strong dislike for the Dallas Cowboys. The rest of the show went on as usual but with witty banter about going green and Bob, Cris and Keith looking a bit uncomfortable behind lit pillar candles.
I have to admit that I was skeptical about the actual impact turning off a few studio lights would have. The amount of electricity that NBC Universal uses every year in production of their programming would be a staggering figure. For the “Green is Universal” week of programming, NBC also flew Matt Lauer, Ann Curry and Al Roker to Greenland, Antarctica and Ecuador, respectively, to report on climate change and its effects. I won’t bore you with the carbon footprint of those trips, because the purpose was to raise awareness and educate. NBC has announced that they will offset the carbon footprint in mileage and fuel, which is over 500,000 miles. Beyond their week of green programming, NBC is taking other steps to reduce their impact on the environment through their commitment to green their operations worldwide, including LEED certification for new construction and “eco audits” to identify areas for environmental improvements.
Personally, the best outcome from NBC’s efforts is that of awareness. NBC isn’t going to convince me to buy a hybrid or live a carbon neutral life. As a concerned, yet non-superhero consumer, I’m making small changes on a daily basis. My husband convinced me to start recycling, but I had never considered not buying something because of the ridiculous amount of packaging it was in until recently. Who needs 12 individually-wrapped rolls of paper towels enclosed in another large piece of plastic? My current project is replacing my cleaning products with vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda. (Not together…I don’t want a lemon scented volcano.) And I use reusable shopping bags when I can remember to bring them into the store…
My hope is that NBC was able to reach others with a message that our small changes can add up to make a much larger impact and that viewers weren’t blinded by their own cynicism regarding NBC’s efforts. I know that the “Green is Universal” blog alone has provided me with invaluable information that my husband is already tired of hearing.
Jordan O'Malley is Marketing Coordinator at Tricycle.
How do you "one up" Al Gore? Today's introductory plenary from former President Bill Clinton at Greenbuild in Chicago was both inspiring and sobering. His candid demeanor and challenging comments were an embodiment of the social attribute of sustainable design. Additionally he emphasized the economic opportunity in our present environmental challenges and encouraged attendees to create green building models that can be replicated in emerging economies. Regardless of your politics, his message was sound: the green collar economy is key to sustaining and replenishing our future.
