Oscar Turns Green?

Well congratulations Hollywood. You've just completed your first "green" Academy Awards. Despite a few broken arms from trying to pat yourselves on the back, you may have raised awareness to global warming.

But what message did you really send?

As a viewer I heard some well-applauded commentary about saving the environment. But besides a few "recycled" jokes from Ellen, what was different? The web site says producers "endeavored to select supplies and services with a sensitivity toward reducing the threats we face from global warming, species extinction, deforestation, toxic waste and hazardous chemicals in our water and food". So what does that mean? Did they simply "endeavor" or were they successful is reducing "Oscar's ecological footprint" as they put it?

I'll admit to giving up on the telecast when Clint Eastwood began to speak in tongues (or was he just translating Italian? I'm not sure.) So maybe I missed all the hybrid cars dropping off the stars on the recycled and organically produced red carpet. Was there more to the greening of the Oscars?

To find out, I went to the Oscar web site where I found the endeavoring quotes above. I also found a list of things we common folk can do on our own to help the environment. All very well intentioned I'm sure, and all probably quite effective.

Now I am no tree-hugger. Nor am I one who denies global warming. As usual, I fall somewhere in the middle. I tend to believe the scientific reports I've heard that the polar ice caps are in danger. But I'm not completely clear on why. After all, we are coming out of an Ice Age. Nevertheless, I am willing to do my part to help, because I truly believe that we, as the human species, are the only ones who can make a difference.

So let's look at Oscar's environmental suggestions, and see how well Hollywood conformed when the whole world was watching.

1. Drive more fuel-efficient, less polluting cars. - As I said earlier, did I miss the Hybrid limos?
2. Cut your driving miles. - Did anyone not show up because the drive from home was too long...let alone the flight in from their current movie location?
3. Carpool. - "Hello Ellen, this is Leo. I thought since we were both going to the Oscars tonight, maybe we could just take one car to reduce emissions. I'm calling Wil Smith next".
4. Get in the habit of riding buses or trains. - I'm pretty sure I saw Beyonce on the bus yesterday!
5. Set heating and cooling temperatures correctly. - When you are heating your 65 room mansion and your ski house in the Rockies, don't forget to adjust the temperature when you go to bed.
6. Recycle materials you use. - Yeah, lets wear those Oscar Night gowns more than once. You'd look great while riding the bus!
7. Buy products with less packaging. - Or more to the point, ask that the products people give you have less packaging. I understand that there were no gift bags this year. Was that because it was a waste of packaging or because the IRS caught on? Anyone?
8. Bring waste-free meals. - I'm pretty sure there was not an ounce of food or materials wasted at those after-parties...the dumpsters were empty and all the rats had to go to Taco Bell (sorry, couldn't resist).
9. Leave grass clippings on the lawn. - Note to self, as soon as the landscapers turn off their gasoline lawn mowers that have been running for three hours cutting my 20 acre estate, remind them to put all the clippings back.

And perhaps the best advice all night...
10. Turn off lights and other electrical appliances such as your television.

Hmm - turn off my television. After last night, I'm happy to do that to help my environment.