A Home Run for the Planet

The MLB All-Star Game is one of my favorite sporting events of the year.  I think it's because the outcome of the game actually matters to the players, the winning league gets home-field advantage in the World Series, so the players seem genuinely invested in the game.  

I'm especially excited this year because the National League will begin with a scene I'm fairly used to; Matt Cain pitching to Buster Posey.  I can't wait to see Posey at home plate tomorrow night!  Considering the fact that he set the NL balloting record with 7,621,370 votes, I'm not alone in my excitement to see him take the field for his first All-Star Game appearance.  

San Francisco Giant, Buster Posey

While I'm definitely routing for a National League win, I'm thrilled that the 83rd Major League Baseball All-Star Game is taking place in a certain American League Stadium. The Kansas City Royals home, Kauffman Stadium, recently became one of the greener stadiums in the MLB.  

Kauffman Stadium

The Royals partnered with KCP&L and installed the largest in-stadium solar array in the MLB! According to a press release from the Royals and KCP&L, the company installed a 28.8 kilowatt solar array that will produce approximately 36,000 kWh of renewable energy each year.  The 120 solar panels on the roof of Kauffman Stadium's Outfield Experience exemplify there commitment to maximizing renewable energy resources at the ballpark.  

Solar Panels at Kauffman Stadium

To educate fans about the solar energy system, KCP&L installed an educational kiosk in the Outfield Experience to show how the system benefits the Stadium and the greater Kansas City region.  I'm so happy that this all took place before the All-Star Game so even more sports fans see and hopefully learn about the benefits of solar.

In addition to the efforts of the Kansas City Royals, the MLB is also playing it's part and making the league's commitment to the environment a priority this All-Star Game.  Some of the league's efforts include:

• Addressing energy and water usage through efficiency measures and by investing in renewable energy offsets and water restoration credits
• Prioritizing recycling at events throughout MLB All-Star Week, including an All-Star Green Team of volunteers circulating Kauffman Stadium during the All-Star Game to collect recyclables from fans
• Raising awareness about the importance of "going green" via public service announcements in-stadium and environmental education materials online
• Incorporating eco-friendly materials including low volatile organic compound materials such as paint and sealants, low flow plumbing fixtures, FSC certified wood and locally produced materials into community refurbishment projects
• Collecting and donating unused food after several All-Star events including the All-Star Game Gala and the Pre-Game Celebration

So, even though I'm hoping Cain & the NL walk away with the win, I'll be happy regardless because the event is a home run for the planet!

A Truly Perfect Game

It was an exciting week in baseball, especially for San Francisco Giants fans! On Wednesday, June 13, 2012, Matt Cain pitched a perfect game - the first by any Giants pitcher since the team was established in 1883. That's 130 years for those of you who aren't great at math.

Cain led the Giants to a 10-0 victory over the Houston Astros in the 22nd perfect game in MLB history. While reaching one of the most elite clubs in Major League Baseball, Cain threw 125 pitches, the most ever thrown in a perfect game, and struck out 14 batters, matching Sandy Koufax's total for the most K's in a perfect game.

Needless to say, AT&T Park felt like it was right back in the 2010 World Series. The energy was electric. As both a sports enthusiast and environmentalist, I can't help but feel the game was even more perfect because the historical moment took place in one of the greenest ballparks in the world.

Besides having some of the most talented athletes in the world, the San Francisco Giants have some of the most impressive environmental policies and practices in all of sports.

Here are just some of the home runs the San Francisco Giants have hit for the planet:

-In 2010, AT&T Park became the first major league ballpark to receive LEED Silver Certification for Existing Buildings, Operations and Maintenance.

-In 2007, in a partnership with PG&E, AT&T Park became the first MLB ballpark to install a solar power system.
     ~PG&E installed 590 Sharp solar panels
     ~The system generates green energy for PG&E customers in SF.

-In 2007, the Giants installed a new HD scoreboard that uses 78% less energy than the ballpark's original

-In 2009, the Giants established the "Green Team," a group who go into the stands at the end of the 7th inning to collect recyclables and remind fans to recycle.

-Through aggressive recycling and composting programs, the Giants currently lead the MLB in waste management with more than 85% of the Park's waste diverted from landfill.

-In April 2012, the Giants partnered with Hanwha Solar and launched a green initiative campaign called "I SUN SF," which amongst other things included the installation of a solar PV system at the ballpark.

As I said above, this is just a preview of some of the efforts the SF Giants have taken to make their ballpark and team the "greenest" in the country.  For more comprehensive information, click here.

Congratulations to Matt Cain and the San Francisco Giants on a truly perfect game!

The Eagles Soar for the Planet!

Before I start, I have to say I'm really sorry for disappearing. I've been completely overwhelmed with school, internships and my job and completely neglected my blog, my baby! This blog is so important to me and I never wanted to rush just for the sake of posting something. So, instead of half-assing it, I took a short break....

Needless to say, I'm back and feeling more motivated than ever! I've made a pact with myself to make time for this blog every week no matter what. Now that I've cleared my conscious, I think it's time to get back to the green sports!

For those of you who don't know me, I'm a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan. I know, I know, I'm from New York but it's true. The only real explanation I can offer is my childhood friend Jeremy. If you met him, you'd understand why. His enthusiasm is literally contagious! Not to mention he has some pretty awesome halftime dance moves!

Anyway, I'm beyond excited to see the Eagles play the 49ers on Sunday. I know I'm going to be one of the only people rooting for them at Candlestick Park, BUT in my opinion, the Eagles are a team that all sports fans should root for. Not because they are awesome (which they are!) but because they are one of the greenest teams on the planet -- and I don't mean their jerseys!

In 2003, the owners, Christina and Jeffrey Lurie launched the Eagles "Go Green" campaign. The campaign's mission is to, "create and sustain championship performance on the field and in the community through practices that promote the quality of life, green the environment, and improve one's impact on the planet."

So what resulted from this ground-breaking campaign? MAJOR TOUCHDOWNS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT!

Since the list is so extensive, I've decided to just give you a rundown of some of the best.

So here are the Eagles top Green Game Changers....

2003:

The Eagles launch their Go Green campaign, an unprecedented committed to the environment by a professional sports team.

2004:

The Eagles work with the NRDC to improve their Go Green campaign which, led to some very innovative, sustainable practices such as...

Recycling cooking fat for conversion to biodiesel & powering the stadium scoreboard with solar energy panels.

2005:

The Eagles and St. Louis Rams play in the first ever "climate-neutral" game in NFL history!
-Both teams offset all of the greenhouse gas emissions from the day's stadium operations.

2006:

The Eagles lead by example and encourage stadium vendors join their green team!
-Aramark switched from plastic to corn-based products, which biodegrade within 45 days....SCORE!
-In football terms, the amount of plastic that would fill half of a football field is diverted from landfill thanks to the switch.

2007:

The Eagles partner with the PPL Corporation and install solar panels at their work and practice facility to convert energy from the sun into electricity.
-The solar innovation was the first of its kind in Pennsylvania!

The Eagles become the first organization to reimburse employees who sign up for Wind Energy.
-That means no out-of-pocket cost for employees who opt to go green!

2008:

The Philadelphia Eagles become the first NFL team to operate solely on clean energy!
-They purchased 15 million kilowatts of wind power to allow the team to run on 100% renewable energy at both Lincoln Financial Field and their training facilities.

2009:

With the help of the Conservation Fund, the Eagles offset 100% of the greenhouse gas generated by team travel by planting trees in the Eagles Forest. Oh yeah, they have a forest!

100% of the Eagles football and corporate operations were powered by renewable energy from the sun and wind.

2010:

The Eagles make their annual contribution to the "Go Zero Program" to offset their carbon emissions for the 2010 regular season.
-The contribution supports the planting of 563 bottomland hardwood seedlings at Lake Ophelia National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana.

As you can see, the Eagles are serious about going green and really are a team scoring points for the planet. They even have a place on their website to help Eagles fans offset their travel to the games! You should definitely check out the Eagles Go Green website for all of the other ways they've gone green because they're doing some pretty amazing things.

GO EAGLES and GO GREEN!!!!!!!!!!

Tennis Time: Add Environment!

As a New Yorker, tennis fan, and tennis player, it's impossible for me not to love this time of year. It's when the Flushing-bound 7 train becomes my best friend. It's when getting home at 2am is a great thing because it means I caught a great match. Yep, it's finally here...it's US Open time baby!!!

Even though I'm living across the country and going to experience the action for the first time in as long as I can remember entirely on TV, I still have the same tennis fever!

With the rankings set and only three days to go until the Open officially begins, it should come as know surprise that this week's Green Gladiator comes from the tennis world. I actually can't think of a better fit considering she has been instrumental in greening the US Open and the Open's home is even named after her! For those non-tennis fans out there, let me be more specific, this week's Green Gladiator is the tennis legend, Billie Jean King!

Billie Jean King is arguably the best female tennis player to ever play and has a tremendous amount of respect around the world. Although I admire her athletic ability, I'm also a big Billie Jean fan because of her environmental work. She understands the power of sports and uses that platform to "win back our planet!"
In 2007, she, along with Ilana Kloss, Pam Derderian and Nancy Becker, developed the GreenSlam initiative. GreenSlam's mission is to use the power of sports to inspire socially responsible change that has positive environmental impacts.

Through programs like the GreenSlam/GreenTernship program and their partnership with the NRDC, GreenSlam is already making a difference!

Billie Jean King's work doesn't stop there. She is the ambassador for the United States Tennis Association's environmental efforts, and helped launch the US Open's comprehensive "green" initiatives two years ago. The initiatives aim to get all the athletes and fans to reduce, reuse, recycle and to turn the highest-attended annual sporting event in the world in the most environmentally conscious. I like it!!

She has also done a ton of PSA's with the USTA and the NRDC that focus on the environment because what better way to bring about real change than through a professional athlete? Here is one of the videos!



Billie Jean King has proven that she isn't just a tennis champion, she is also a champion for the planet. She without a doubt deserves to be this week's Green Gladiator!

And just because it's Friday and I'm so excited for the US Open, here is a fun video for your enjoyment. Have a great weekend!

Green Gladiator of the Week: Marcos Diaz

Hello and Happy Friday!!

This week's Green Gladiator is actually an athlete that I knew nothing until this week. I've been very interested in the UN's Millennium Development Goal's and how sports are playing a huge role in helping ensure they are achieved. This summer offered an unprecedented opportunity with the World Cup in Africa and many athletes, teams and organizations utilized the powerful, international platform to raise awareness for the MDG's.

Last night I came across one athlete who dove head first into the water (literally!) to bring global attention to the Millennium Development Goals. He is a true gladiator who realizes the power he has as an athlete to help save our planet. This week's Green Gladiator, and one of my new favorite athletes, is Marcos Diaz!

Diaz is a long distance open water swimmer from the Dominican Republic who works with environmental organizations like Reef Check DR to preserve his country's coastal eco-systems. In addition to his environmental work for his country, he is also committed to helping the UN reach all of their MDG's by 2015, especially ensuring environmental sustainability!

To raise awareness and to urge people to act and demand that our leaders deliver their promises by 2015, Marcos has embarked on a truly remarkable journey. Swim Across the Continents is Diaz's way of helping the UN achieve their Millennium Development Goals.

He is currently swimming across 5 continents to unite people from around the world by showing we really aren't that far apart. He hopes his swim will "inspire us all to take a new look at our planet, to stand up and act to make a real difference, and to demand real political change for humanity."

He has definitely inspired me and I hope he has done the same for you.

Here's a great video I found that focuses on the environmental sustainability MDG and Diaz's swim.



Congratulations to our amazing Green Gladiator of the Week, Marcos Diaz!! And just in case you're interested, he has already completed the swim from Australia to Asia and the swim from Asia to Africa. He's currently swimming from Africa to Europe and is due to arrive in Tenerife, Spain any day! Way to go Marcos!!

The Buvera Ball Project!

Before you read any further, please take a minute to read my earlier post, "Green at the end of the tunnel" so we are all on the same page. Come on, just do it!

Assuming you took my advice, welcome back!

So as you can see, Mike Zuckerman accomplished quite a bit while in Uganda. It's hard to believe that he was only there for a month! Even though he's back, his efforts aren't going to waste...no pun intended! The village continues to gather for weekly cleanups and is committed to making their environment cleaner and more sustainable.

I was lucky enough to get him in the studio last week to talk about his experiences and in my opinion his most noteworthy program, The Buvera Ball Project. The Buvera Ball Project is an incredible program that combines sports and sustainability! Check out the video below to hear more from the project's founder, Mike Zuckerman.

Going Green for the Gulf

At the end of a week in which the Gulf Coast oil leak was FINALLY plugged, I wanted to focus on professional athletes that have been vocal throughout the catastrophe.

This week, I've chosen two athletes to share the title of "Green Gladiator of the Week." Considering they are married I decided it's ok. World Class Surfer Laird Hamilton and Volleyball Champion Gabrielle Reece are both fierce athletes who bring their competitive edge to their environmental work. Their motivation and commitment to saving the environment (especially our oceans!) is why they are this week's Green Gladiators!

Earlier this summer the couple toured the Gulf Coast with the NRDC and witnessed the tremendous devastation firsthand.















Here is a video they made with the NRDC after the trip. It's VERY powerful and inspiring!



While Hamilton the Reece aren't the only athletes working to protect the ocean and cleanup the Gulf, they definitely stand out from the crowd. What really impresses me is their awareness and ability to communicate the bigger issue; ensuring a disaster like this never happens again. Reece said it best in her blog, "This isn't just about how we clean up the Gulf, but how we can get policies passed in government to legally protect other places."

I couldn't agree more and hope that Hamilton and Reece continue their passionate work for our planet and help bring about real change in our energy policies. Thank you Laird Hamilton and Gabrielle Reece and congratulations on being named this week's Green Gladiators!