Interview: Greening Museums on VoiceAmerica

Last week I was treated to a chance to speak for a full hour about my favorite topic - environmental sustainability in museums.  I was interview for Internet talk radio, The Museum Life, by Carol Bossert .

• We discussed environmental sustainability as a system and museums as systems (so fixing your heating system starts with looking at your building envelope). 
• We examined why museums are so perfect as vehicles for practicing and promoting more sustainable behaviors (we're teachers; the public trusts us; and as charitable institutions interested in community, who else is more responsible for this work?)
• And how making sustainable choices now, and by invoking sustainability planning, you are making some of the best possible investments in your long-term institutional health.

Here a just a few of the sound bytes:

• Museums must move the visitor from knowledge to action
• Are you sure it costs more to go green; because it shouldn't
• No one goes all green; no one goes green all at once.
• Let go of the guilt and just start someplace.
• Practice while you plan so that you plan better as you learn.
• Start with behavioral changes and make a difference without being disruptive.
• Progress to managing your water onsite and securing your own energy sources.
• It's a system! Get with a system.

I hope you will listen, and let me and/or Carol know what you think.

Thank you.