Green is Universal: A Message From Tom Brokaw

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A Message From Tom Brokaw

Posted at 10:00 PM on November 04, 2007 comments (17)

As a child of the Great Plains I've long had a personal connection to the virtues of clean air, open space and the benefits of nature in its most primal state. I suppose that upbringing made me an environmentalist before the phrase was popular.

My career took me to big cities and developing countries where the effect of population, transportation, manufacturing and consumption altered the environment in a way that was appalling to my country boy memories.

So I was constantly finding a way back into the wilderness or on to the prairie or into the mountains somewhere in the world where my spirit could be refreshed.

As a personal gesture, that was helpful but I knew it was not enough so I began to find new ways of expressing my own determination to do something. In our family we have 4 hybrid cars; we've changed all the light bulbs to the more energy efficient models; we've installed solar panels for hot water and even for some general heating at our Montana ranch; we re-cycle and carry tote bags to the grocery store or re-use plastic bags while shopping.

I am a fanatic about packaging materials. Many small items in convenience stores have packaging worth much more than the product.

I've been known to write the companies responsible to say, "Is this really necessary?" Plastic card keys at hotels? I turn mine back in at the end of the stay and say, "You can re-use this, right?"

These are all very small gestures in the big picture but they do add up and they help keep me focused on the larger picture, which is much more daunting.

Global warming is one of the greatest challenges of my life-time, at once daunting and stimulating. Daunting because of the consequences. Stimulating, even exciting, because of the opportunities and intellectual frontiers that are being opened.

Think of the green world as a vast new universe, just waiting to be explored and settled in a responsible fashion.

Be Luke Skywalker, not Darth Vader.

Tom Brokaw
GreenIsUniversal.com

comments

Posted by: Shawn Foley on November 4, 2007 08:35 PM

I've Been gearing my efforts through my social, career and home lifestyle to make my environment GREEN, I commend you and the NBC Team for your Launch of GREEN IS UNIVERSAL.

Shawn Foley
Halifax, NS
Canada

Posted by: lisa lynn anderson on November 4, 2007 10:20 PM

I 'ditto' all your comments Tom. Thank you for sharing the personal side of your life as related to this important topic. Your special was great and I asked everyone of my friends and family to watch it.

As a sustainable event & meeting planner, I brought my personal lifestyle habits to my work and have spent many hours helping to educate others in my profession. It's rewarding to help others see a different way to plan parties, celebrations and meetings. Sometimes, I too slip away to nature to get refreshed & renewed. Sometimes I feel guilty that we might be one of the last generations afforded the luxury of knowing 'nature'. It's going to take alot to turn this around, but I think we are up to it!

It is my hope that centuries from now, stories will be told about the bold and courageous ways the United States demonstrated by creating quick, effective solutions once the citizenry realized the enormous task before them. While our nation has many shining accomplishments, I think being remembered for how capitalism/democracy helped restore our fragile ecosystem & reverse the damage our lifestyle helped create could be our greatest. At least that is the hope of this person.

Posted by: Ed on November 4, 2007 11:46 PM

Check out this US Carbon Footprint Map, an interactive United States Carbon Footprint Map, illustrating Greenest States to Cities. This site has all sorts of stats on individual State & City energy consumptions, demographics and much more down to your local US City level...

http://www.eredux.com/states/

Posted by: Lee Welles on November 5, 2007 07:37 AM

YEAH! I'm am extremely excited to see these topics being discussed on mainstream media! I equate making green lifestyle changes that will contribute to the health of the planet, to making lifestyle changes that postively effect your personal health. I have a car that runs on reclaimed veggie oil, take my bags to the grocery store, practice the three R's and reach out to the NEXT generation through my writing. The award-winning Gaia Girls Book Series is about girl-eco heroes and uses the entertainment of story to sublty deliver a message of sustainability.

Posted by: Phil Stoltz on November 5, 2007 07:46 AM

amazing. it's so good to know that they are others of all ages out there who really want to make a difference. as a college student i see so many ignorant lives that could do better if they were just aware. bringing this to tv should have a huge effect!Thank you Mr. Brokaw and Foley. I'll keep fighting as well.

Phil Stoltz
Boone, NC
USA

Posted by: Jacqueline Sena on November 5, 2007 11:49 AM

Thank you, Mr. Brokaw and NBC for addressing topics vital to all of us. We want to have a healthy planet for our children and grandchildren. Speaking of which...

I see a comment from my most-admired children's book author, Lee Welles of the Gaia Girls book series. I am a retired teacher; these are WONDERFUL books, with real issues and accurate info...wrapped in rippin' good storylines. The ideal green gift for your kids! Get'em young; it's easier...

Posted by: George Waller on November 5, 2007 12:05 PM

BEING A NATIVE OREGONIAN WHO LOVES MOTHER NATURE, TEMP. LIVING IN N.C., I FIND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T THINK OR EVEN CARE ABOUT BEING GREEN. SO EVERY CHANCE I GET I SAVE PAPER OUT OF THE TRASH FOR NOTE PADS,REUSE MY COFFEE CUP A COUPLE TIMES, LITTLE THINGS PEOPLE NOTICE AND HOPEFULLY REMEMBER. I'VE BEEN CALLED TREE HUGGER(YEP),HIPPIE(KIND OF)AND PROUD OF IT.
"LEAVE IT AS YOU FOUND IT" DAVE MATTHEWS(TWO STEP)
"IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN" KERMIT THE FROG

Posted by: George Waller on November 5, 2007 12:27 PM

3 R's, REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

Posted by: Kelly Kukes on November 5, 2007 01:42 PM

I am proud that their are Americans willing to see the problems we are facing with our environment. I try to educate my family and friends on the benefits of the 3 R's, I am passionate about doing more myself, and practice what I preach. Tom Brokaw has always been a hero to me, and with his public outreach with this special he has become even more of a hero. Thank you for all you do, and NBC thank you for putting the Earth First! I am excited to see what else we can do.

From Salt Lake City, UT (Montana Native)

Posted by: Jo Anne Guthrie on November 5, 2007 02:04 PM

Being from the south, iced tea is #1. I have noticed how much ice is wasted, it's poured in the sink and melts. For drinks already cold, use about a third of a glass of ice. It's already cold.

Posted by: KIM WOOLFE on November 5, 2007 02:10 PM

ALTHOUGH IT ONLY TOOK THIRTY SOME YEARS, I AM GLAD TO SEE THAT MORE PEOPLE ARE TAKING OUR MESSAGE FROM THE '70'S TO HEART..."SAVE OUR PLANET"

Posted by: Barbara C. on November 5, 2007 03:37 PM

Way to go Tom. Keep up the good work.

Posted by: Dr. Robert Weed on November 9, 2007 11:44 AM

Science has yet to decide on the issue of global warming, if it really is an issue and whom, if anyone, is at fault. Your efforts, seem to me, to be over the top and very one sided.

I laughed when on the football game last Sunday night, the pre game and half time shows "turned off the lights. OK, had to have some lights on and the TOYOTA sponsor sign was turned on.

Man's contribution to the greenhouse gases is so small we couldn't change the climate if we tried. To quote some of my friends in science, this will be a joke five years from now just as global cooling was a joke. Maybe you don't remember the cooling scare, I was working on my masters at that point. Many of us laughed ... but science was convinced it was a real problem. No, the media was convinced and some of us in science, who wanted the ride the money train, got on board.

This is all a combination of misinterpreted and misguided science and much media hype all for the sake of socialist politics.

Water vapor is responsible for 95 per cent of the greenhouse effect, an effect which is vital to keep the world warm. Without the greenhouse effect the planet would be at minus 18 deg C but because we do have the greenhouse effect it is plus 15 deg C, all the time.

The other greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen dioxide, and various others including CFC's, contributed only five per cent of the effect, carbon dioxide being by far the greatest contributor at 3.6 per cent.

However, carbon dioxide as a result of man's activities is only 3.2 per cent of that, hence only 0.12 per cent of the greenhouse gases in total. Human-related methane, nitrogen dioxide and CFC's etc made similarly minuscule contributions to the effect: 0.066, 0.047 and 0.046 per cent respectively.

This ought to be the end of the argument.

You add the ever changing warming and cooling of the sun and that ends all this hype.

We couldn't change the climate even if we wanted to because water vapor dominates. My point is, the power of nature is greater then man. Man, additionally, is part of nature.

Nature as more to do with warming as is changes in temperatures on this planet have occurred throughout millions of years. Example, the Great Lakes we formed from melting glaciers. Not too many SUV's at that time! No night football games and NBC broadcasts either!

One thing we all need to remember, nature has far greater power then man and that power has yet to even be close to be measured by man.

To think we, as human beings, can have the impact that is being suggested by some is naive.

Sure, we do have some impact. Our impact, however, is small. In addition, the last change I checked ... man is part of nature.

No matter what power of nature we talk about, this power by nature is huge and our ability to control is nil.

We can't predict the weather half the time yet we want to use these models to suggest the world is growing so warm it will cause all these problems, that is just NUTS!

Sure, we want to have a clean planet Earth but lets not get too crazy.

You are not doing the public interest here, however you have a very nice promotion. If you want to "do good" haveyour news programs present a balanced view and stick to science not politics.

Best Wishes,

Dr. Robert Weed
PhD, Atmospheric Sciences
MA, Meteorology
MA, Geology

Posted by: Lawry Lund on November 12, 2007 12:22 PM

Tom,

I live in the small town of Smithers BC Canada. As you know we have clean air, abundant clean water and industrialization hasn't damaged anything beyond repair. Our company has one of many needed solutions and innovations that are needed. You can see us at www.aspenware.ca

Wooden, biodegradable,compostable,
sustainable cutlery

This is just a product that we hope will act as a catalist for change. If we can change the way each of us thinks about the very basic daily nescessity of eating it may lead to other innovation, ideas, action. We can make a difference, each and everyone of us.

Kudo's to anyone who is prepared to engage in discussion, thought, action in regard to cleaning up our mess and doing things better.

Maybe see you on the river some time.

Lawry Lund
www.kispioxriver.com

Posted by: GetClean on November 12, 2007 01:12 PM

Here is a great web site to look at if you're interested in "Going Green". I found that this particular company is the ONLY Certified Climate Neutral comapny in the world and has been "Green" for over 50 years! WOW!

They have great 100% non-toxic, all organic and kosher items too! I have made over my whole house, family and pets with their products. The best part....they come with a 100% money back guarantee! So you have nothing to loose but those harmful chemicals and the dirt. So check out the web site and get the "Real Dirt" on clean!

Go Green, Stay Clean!

Here is the web site for those who are interested:

www.shaklee.net/safe

Posted by: Pauline on November 24, 2007 06:15 PM

Way to go, Dr. Weed. I hope to hear/read more from you as time goes on. You have a good way of summarizing, in terms most can understand, a good perspective. Maybe as more people understand this, we can get start getting back to REAL solutions to REAL problems from pollution, and help other countries clean up as well as we have ( better than almost all of the signers of the Kyoto, I might add, and in more ways)

Posted by: Cindy V on December 7, 2007 02:02 PM

It seems very ignorant to me, no matter how educated someone is, when they ridicule the efforts of environmentalists who educate and encourage citizens in doing their part to stop waste and pollution. The world is being devoured by greed, filthy air is smothering us and making us sick, it's undeniable that carbon waste is the culprit. We pay more for clean unpolluted drinking water than we do for gasoline. If we want organic food we pay sometimes two and three times as much as we pay for food that has been drenched in poisonous chemicals. Our wildlife is being devoured by urban sprawl, and killed by those who are supposed to protect them, as they try to assimilate into our communities while foraging through our dumpsters. There is bidding by oil companies on the land being exposed by the melting of the glaciers. Forgive me for being skeptical of your facts but you probably work for some government agency and while in the past the motto of the American people was "...by the people and for the people" I believe the people are the least of their concerns nowadays. There is an agenda called globalization which is putting all common sense on the back burner for now.