According to the New Orleans Host Committee (NOHC), Super Bowl XLVII will be the “greenest” game in Super Bowl history. The NOHC has partnered with the NFL, corporate sponsors, local agencies, and non-profits on a wide variety of environmental programs intended to “green” the game, the fans, and the community.
Geaux Green (Go Green) is an NOHC initiative developed in conjunction with The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions and the Entergy Corporation.
Greening the Game
Mercedes-Benz Superdome LED Lighting
Since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome has undergone extensive renovation and upgrading. In 2011, the Superdome completed installation of a new exterior LED lighting system which only uses about as much energy as a small home. The LED “bulbs” can change color and will last for about 45 years.
Carbon Offsets for Travel and Energy Use
Corporate sponsor, Entergy Corporation, is purchasing carbon offsets for travel to and from the Super Bowl by players, coaches, and support staff, as well as the 4,500 megawatts of power that will be used to operate Super Bowl venues and team hotels.
Free Bike Valet and Bike Share Pilot Program
Bike Easy, whose tagline is “Getting New Orleans Streets in Gear”, will work with other organizations to provide free bike valet parking services and pilot a bike sharing program during Super Bowl events.
Food Waste Reduction
Excess prepared foods from nearly 50 Super Bowl events will be delivered to Second Harvest Food Bank member agencies to provide food for soup kitchens and shelters.
Greening the Fans
Geaux Green Game
Fans can play the Geaux Green Game on the NOHC website by selecting a team and pledging to take 1 or more of the 10 green actions listed below (reduction of pounds of CO2 emissions is noted in parentheses):
- Replace Incandescent Bulbs with CFLs (376)
- Flip the Switch on Power Strips for Electronics When Not in Use (439)
- Shower Time (323)
- Warm Up Smart (1,823)
- Hydrate Sustainably (34)
- Maintain Your Home Turf Efficiently (435)
- Plant a Tree (446)
- Carpool (240)
- Wash Your Jersey on Cold (237)
- Go Carbon Neutral This Year (19,350)
NFL fans have pledged to save over 22,517,499 pounds of CO2 emissions (2,556 pounds for my choices). Lucky NFL fan, Mark Karolkiewicz, played the Geaux Green Game and won a free trip to Super Bowl XLVII.
Carbon Offsets for Super Bowl Travel
By clicking the “Offset Your Travel” tab, fans can buy carbon offsets for their Super Bowl travel. Fans determine their travel carbon footprint, select an offset package, and choose 1 of 3 projects to fund with their offset purchase. Entergy Corporation will match fan carbon offset purchases dollar-for-dollar.
Greening the Community
Hike for KaTREEna
In 2006, Monique Pilié hiked 2,175 miles along the Appalachian Trail to raise awareness of Hurricane Katrina’s devastating impact on the trees of New Orleans and to raise money to replant trees. The non-profit she later founded, Hike for KaTREEna, has teamed up with the NFL and NOHC to plant 7,000 trees before the Super Bowl.
REpurposingNOLA
REpurposingNOLA Piece by Peace is a New Orleans-based company that uses reclaimed materials to create designer products. For the Super Bowl, they have created several products including an eco-sport bag and will be re-purposing banners and other materials after the game.
The Green Project
The Green Project started as a program to safely dispose of unwanted paint and has grown into an organization that sells donated salvaged construction materials at low prices. The Green Project will divert materials used during the Super Bowl, especially carpet, from going to a landfill by warehousing them and then reselling them.
Green Light New Orleans
Green Light New Orleans works with residents to improve their household efficiency. Super Bowl volunteers will help install 80,000 free energy efficient CFL light bulbs as part of Green Light New Orleans “Tip the Block” program.
Super Saturday of Service
Super Saturday of Service is a collaborative effort of the NOHC, NFL, Habit for Humanity, and other groups to improve 5 playgrounds in New Orleans neighborhoods. Local and visiting volunteers have an opportunity to take a break from the Super Bowl hype and contribute to a good cause.
Related Posts
Resources
- Eco News Network – 3 Ways Super Bowl 2013 is Going Green
- Mercedes-Benz Superdome – Press Kit
- NFL – Official 2013 NFL Super Bowl Program
- Super Bowl XLVII New Orleans Host Committee – Environmental Program (link to document not available as of 12/23/14)
- Super Bowl XLVII New Orleans Host Committee – Greening Super Bowl Fact Sheet (link to document not available as of 12/23/14)
What an impressive list of “tie- ins” to the Super Bowl. The LED lighting system alone is amazing. Good for Mercedes-Benz. Hope that got a lot of attention in the media when it was installed. The devastation of Katrina has been a catalyst for a myriad of “green” thinking.
Good to know that even the Superbowl can go green. Thanks for making us feel good about watching. Go Niners!!