Marlins-Rays Game First in Southeast to Go Green

The Florida Marlins offset greenhouse gas emissions created by fans attending the game as well as stadium operations. The carbon-neutral games takes place on the eve of the 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change, taking place June 25-26 in Miami.

"Florida continues to lead the way in addressing global climate change, from our businesses and government agencies to the popular professional sports teams that call our state home," said Governor Charlie Crist. "I commend the Florida Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays for being good stewards of our environment."

According to the Florida Marlins, more than 440 metric tons of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide are expected to be emitted throughout the game, generated from travel, stadium operations and lodging associated with the team and the fans expected to attend.

Working with Carbonfund.org, this carbon footprint will be offset by investing in reforestation projects in the Southeast.

Florida Marlins will offset all carbon dioxide from tonight's game by planting trees in the Southeast. (Photo by Michael Baron)

Last November, Florida hosted the first carbon-neutral college football game between Florida State University and the University of Florida in Gainesville.

The University of Florida, in partnership with the Florida Forestry Association and Environmental Defense, offset the more than 1,750 metric ton carbon footprint of the football game by setting aside 18 acres of rural North Florida land to be managed as a pine plantation forest for 10 years.

The Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate begins this week at the Intercontinental Miami. Building on the foundation for Florida's energy future that began at last year's summit, the 2008 summit will focus on stimulating economic development in clean technologies as well as "greening" Florida's business community.

The 2008 summit will bring together industry leaders, international policy makers, academics, scientists, environmentalists and the business community to explore opportunities for expanding Florida's renewable and alternative energy marketplace and greening our business community.

By encouraging companies to invest in Florida's energy future, the Crist administration hopes to transform its energy marketplace to encourage fuel diversity, lessen dependence on foreign sources of oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"We look forward to exploring more public-private partnerships and opportunities to secure Florida's energy future and protect our environment, our economy and our quality of life for future generations through the 2008 Serve to Preserve Summit," said Governor Crist.

This year's summit furthers the policy framework established during the 2007 summit. On July 13, 2007, Governor Charlie Crist signed a series of executive orders to reduce Florida's greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency, and remove market barriers for renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind energy.

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2008. All rights reserved.