Jack Bauer’s gone green, and it’s not from some terrorist choking him.
Fox’s 24, the Emmy-winning hit featuring Kiefer Sutherland as rogue agent Jack Bauer, has made history this season as the first-ever carbon neutral show. Clearly the network would have had an easier time going neutral with one of its comedies or animated shows, but it decided to start with its worst offender.
“We are so proud as a studio of [show runner] Howard [Gordan], Kiefer and everyone at 24,” commented Fox Television co-Chairs Dana Walden and Gary Newman in a statement. “They brought their trademark intensity and enthusiasm to the task of figuring out how to make the show more efficient and with less impact on the environment, and they succeeded beyond anyone’s expectations.”
To achieve this goal, the show examined every aspect of production to determine the extent of its carbon footprint and how to offset it. Among the adjustments, the cast and crew drove in hybrids, switched to compact fluorescent lighting, delivered scripts and memos electronically, installed motion monitors in the bathrooms, paid higher utilities fees to buy wind and solar power, and used biodiesel to power generators and production vehicles.
The producers took an exhaustive approach to meeting this goal, but when it came to the carbon-spewing action scenes, they knew the viewers wouldn’t settle for anything less than the show’s signature chases, crashes and explosions. To balance them out, the producers bought enough carbon credits from wind-power plants in India to offset nearly 1,291 tons of carbon dioxide. These credits met the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) requirements and were retired through the Bank of New York Mellon.
The fact that 24 accomplished this feat, which they initially pledged to do nearly two years ago, surprised many of its skeptics. Fox TV shares the same parent company as conservative Fox News, and 24 is a well-known favorite among the neocon crowd who suggest its terrorist-themed storylines helped justify the Bush administration’s anti-terror policies. These groups aren’t exactly known for their fuel-efficient cars and Greenpeace shirts. Then again, maybe that’s the point.
“This is a passion project for us at 24 and we’re amazed by how much we were able to achieve this past season in terms of conserving energy and reducing carbon emissions,” noted Howard Gordon. “But now the really important work begins, which is to inspire our audience to make changes in their own lives.”
During last Monday’s broadcast, Sutherland drove the point home with a PSA that touted the show’s carbon-neutral accomplishment and encouraged viewers to do their part to help the environment. Future PSAs will feature cast members Cherry Jones (President Taylor), Carlos Bernard (Tony Almeida) and Mary Lynn Rajskub (Chloe O’Brian).
Just like Bauer defusing a ticking timebomb, Sutherland and company are helping turn back the clock on Mother Earth.
