1st and Green

The biggest Sunday of the year, it’s time for the Big Game, a fierce rivalry between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots.

This year, the experience of the Big Game is going to be bigger than any other year: 30-second advertisements averaged $3.5 million, Madonna will be the halftime artist, and the game is becoming more ‘green’ than ever.

One of the newest endeavors of the Big Game is 1st and Green, a web-based program encouraging everyone to offset their carbon emissions and save water sponsored by the event’s host committee.  On the 1st and Green website, there are numerous tips, videos, and resources on conserving energy.

1st and Green even has a contest where taking steps to become more energy efficient increases your ranks of the 1st and Green Leader Board.  The teams that have the most points will be honored at the Super Bowl Village Stage.

And if you’re at the game, take notice of how green the stadium is:

• Composting stations
• Recycling stations
• Leftover food being donated to the local food bank
• Signs for the 15,000 MWh of Renewable Energy Certificates purchased on behalf of the game

If you’re like me, watching the game with a bunch of pals, you can still do your part to conserve energy:

• Make your appetizers instead of going for take-out.
• Fill up your growlers at the local pub and use reusable mugs
• Watch the game at your buddy’s place, the one who has the LED TVs
• And carpool to save gas

Have a great time this Sunday.  Be safe.