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Since initiating the Go Green! program in 2003, the Philadelphia Eagles have made enormous strides in operating sustainably, significantly reducing the organization's impact on the environment.

Since 2003, this program has had a cumulative impact approximately equivalent to:
• Energy conservation and green power generation sufficient to provide electricity to 1,300 homes for one year
• Eliminating the greenhouse gas emissions of almost 1,800 automobiles
• Eliminating the trash stream of over 550 Americans
• Saving 2,300 trees

Click here for a complete 2007 program summary. (pdf version)

The Philadelphia Eagles recently introduced two new components to the Go Green initiative, furthering the team's commitment to bettering the environment. On April 22, 2008, all Eagles employees received two free CFL bulbs in honor of Earth Day. The gift kicked off the new light bulb recycling program in which employees are encouraged to bring in used light bulbs and place them in the proper disposal bins. The Mercury found in one fluorescent bulb can pollute 6,000 gallons of water beyond safe levels for drinking.

Along with recycling light bulbs, the Eagles also encourage employees to bring in used/spent batteries to be recycled. When dry cell batteries are improperly disposed, they contribute about 88 percent of the total mercury and 50 percent of the cadmium found in the municipal solid waste system. By recycling batteries we keep them out of landfills where they have the potential to leach slowly into the soil, groundwater or surface water. Both light bulb and battery recycling containers are accessible to employees at the team's NovaCare Complex as well as Lincoln Financial Field.

The Philadelphia Eagles look forward to continuing to expand Go Green and offer its successes as examples to other business and professional sports teams. The Eagles hope to encourage other organizations to take steps toward operating in ways that preserve the environment.

The Philadelphia Eagles and PPL Corporation have partnered to announce innovative solar energy usage at the NovaCare Complex. PPL Renewable Energy, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation of Allentown, Pa., designed and constructed an innovative solar system that converts energy from sunlight into electricity. The solar panels, which track the sun throughout the day, were installed at the team's training and practice complex in August, 2007 and are the first of their kind in Pennsylvania.

The energy saving panels reflect the Eagles ongoing GO GREEN effort. The Eagles organization has begun to feel the positive and lasting effects of this solar project. The solar panels are expected to produce 16,100 kilowatt hours, eliminating 26,400 pounds of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) emissions per year. The amount of carbon emissions saved equate to planting 67 trees each year. Click here to see a LIVE reading of how much power the Eagles solar panels are generating!

When the GO GREEN campaign was introduced, the organization researched and familiarized itself with environmental efforts focused around and purchasing electricity from green energy sources. Now, ""the campaign has continued to grow. We believe these solar panels are an important step in the process of greening our team. The panels are a constant reminder, to our employees, players, coaches and visitors (who pass them daily) that we all need to reduce our environmental footprint,"" said Eagles owner Christina Lurie.

Pennsylvania,"" said Steve Gabrielle, business development manager of PPL Renewable Energy. ""This solar energy project will produce electricity cleanly and efficiently, and help to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas.""

The purchase of solar panels to off-set energy consumption is just one example of the Eagles multi-faceted GO GREEN campaign. Other efforts include the Eagles initiative to purchase enough wind energy to power all 10 home games, the team's employee reimbursement program for wind energy purchases, and the GO ZERO program which will help off-set emissions caused by away-game air travel.

GO GREEN is a way of life for the Eagles organization and a rallying effort both on and off the field.

PPL Renewable Energy already has developed renewable energy projects that total more than 15 megawatts of generation — enough to power 12,000 homes. These include solar panel installations and landfill gas projects in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. PPL Corporation, headquartered in Allentown, Pa., controls more than 11,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States, sells energy in key U.S. markets and delivers electricity to more than 4 million customers in Pennsylvania the United Kingdom.

The Philadelphia Eagles have joined Once Upon A Nation to help reclaim green space for Philadelphia residents with the revitalization of Franklin Square at 6th and Race Streets.

As part of the Eagles Go Green environmental initiative, new tree plantings have supplemented the trees already in the Square. Go Green will contribute to new plantings such as 153 shrubs, 34 large trees, and 27 small trees throughout Franklin Square. In addition, Eagles Owner and President of Eagles Youth Partnership Christina Weiss Lurie joined quarterback A.J. Feeley for an official ""greening"" by planting some of these new trees in the Square.

After three years of planning, Once Upon A Nation completes a $6.5 million renovation of Franklin Square as Philadelphia's newest destination in America's most historic square mile, with new walkways, lighting, and landscaping, as well as a renovated vintage fountain, the brand new Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel, Philly Mini-Golf and two playgrounds.

""A priority of the Eagles organization is to help make a positive impact on our environmental footprint,"" said Christina Weiss Lurie, owner of the Philadelphia Eagles and president of Eagles Youth Partnership. ""Franklin Square will emerge as an attractive green space for all to enjoy and we are proud to facilitate the continued revitalization of Philadelphia's Historic District through Go Green.""

The Philadelphia Eagles launched the Go Green program in 2003 to introduce green principles, sustainable practices and programs that encourage recycling, using renewable resources and tree planting. For more information, visit www.PhiladelphiaEagles.com/gogreen

The Philadelphia Eagles now reimburse employees who purchase wind energy through the PECO Wind and New Jersey Clean Power Energy programs. The Eagles are the first organization to pick up this type of cost for employees.

If an employee purchases 300 kWh of wind energy, it is equivalent to not releasing 3,950 pounds of Carbon Dioxide, 27 pounds of Sulfur Dioxide and 8 pounds of Nitrogen Oxide.

The CO2 reductions are equivalent to planting 268 trees every year or not driving 3,600 miles. Considering the Eagles already have at least 100 employees participating, that equals 360,000 miles not driven or more than 26,800 trees planted.

The typical environmental benefit of a Philadelphia power company's wind energy program is the same as planting about 11 million trees or not driving 144 million miles.

Generating electricity is one of the leading contributors to climate change and global warming. Buying renewable energy is one of the best contributions that we can make to the environment. PECO Wind and New Jersey Clean Power are 100% pollution free wind-generated electricity. Unlike different generation sources like nuclear or coal, wind power creates electricity without any combustion, smoke or waste. The wind energy is delivered into the electric grid, reducing the need for energy from other sources.

In addition, the Eagles have purchased enough blocks of wind energy to be equivalent to powering every 2007 season home game completely on wind.

The responsible use of energy means cleaner air and water and a more secure energy future for all of us.

In December of 2004, the Philadelphia Eagles joined state, city and school officials at Richard Wright Elementary School in North Philadelphia to kick off plans to plant 300 trees at 15 elementary schools and five park sites across the city as part of TreeVitalize, a public-private partnership to restore tree cover to the five-county Philadelphia region.

Wright Elementary is the first school within the Philadelphia School District to benefit from a $125,000 donation by the Eagles. The Eagles made the donation as part of the team's 'Go Green' initiative, championing care for the environment and recycling.

""Go Green is more than a play on words,"" said Christina Weiss Lurie, Philadelphia Eagles owner and president of Eagles Youth Partnership. ""We at the Eagles recognize our responsibility to the environment, both as an organization and as citizens. Recycling, using renewable resources and tree planting are all central to this effort. We are focusing our tree-planting at schools because we understand the relationship between healthy children and a healthy environment. We encourage other private businesses in our community to partner in this program, as well, to help TreeVitalize achieve its goals.""

In November 2004, as a result of the Eagles' donation, volunteers from Temple University and the Gibson Baptist Church planted 14 sugar maple trees in a grass strip that rings the asphalt schoolyard and parking lot. An additional six golden raintree and flowering cherry trees were planted at the church, adjacent to the school. Church members have agreed to help care for all the new trees.

""Over the next 20 years, these sugar maple trees will grow to tower 40 to 50 feet over this school, providing children with shade and greenery in an environment that is otherwise lacking natural beauty,"" said Michael Lester, assistant state forester for the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, (DCNR) which oversees TreeVitalize.

""Studies have shown that exposure to green and nature is good for our children, and that views of trees and shrubs can increase concentration and reduce violence,"" Lester added.

According to mapping by DCNR, tree cover in this North Philadelphia neighborhood registers close to zero percent.

To prepare for the ceremony, third-grade students at Wright Elementary composed tree poems and adorned their new trees with paper decorations. During the ceremony, Eagles players Michael Lewis and Sheldon Brown helped students place their leaf-shaped poems on the newly planted trees.

The selection of school and park sites within the school district's elementary schools is underway. High priority will be given to those public elementary schools that are located in neighborhoods with low tree cover, have adequate spacing for at least 10 trees, and can link the planting to an environmental education program. Schools where community members are trained in tree care and are willing to help care for trees will be favored.

""On behalf of the 200,000 students in the Philadelphia School District and the School Reform Commission of Philadelphia, we would like to thank the Philadelphia Eagles for such a generous contribution to the TreeVitalize program,"" said Paul Vallas, Chief Executive Officer of the Philadelphia School District. ""This program will provide trees to public schools so that teachers and students will use them to enhance the environment around their schools.""

The Fairmount Park Commission, who oversees the planting and care of 250,000 street trees in Philadelphia, will manage the planting projects at the schools.

"The Fairmount Park Commission is so pleased to be partnering with the Eagles, the School District and the Commonwealth in the greening of our region,"" said Fairmount Park Interim Executive Director Karen Lloyd Borski. ""For decades, Philadelphia has been recognized for its commitment to urban arboriculture and this wonderful program will continue to enhance that reputation."

Launched by Governor Edward G. Rendell on Arbor Day this year, TreeVitalize aims to plant more than 20,000 shade trees in neighborhoods and 1,000 acres of forested riparian buffers in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. The $8 million program targets neighborhoods in older cities, boroughs and townships where tree cover is below 25 percent. Tree cover refers to the percentage of land shaded by trees and shrubs.

TreeVitalize is designed to halt that loss and revitalize older communities, improve air and water quality and enhance the quality of life for citizens living in cities and towns. Studies have shown that even a single street tree can increase a home's value and lower its energy use. It will provide local governments, which many times lack urban forestry resources, with the financial and technical tools to encourage tree planting and stewardship.

In addition to coordinating resources to support tree plantings, TreeVitalize aims to train 2,000 volunteer citizens in proper tree care techniques. These citizens will organize future tree planting projects and educate homeowners on proper tree care and planting.

DCNR has partnered with the state Department of Environmental Protection; Aqua PA; Philadelphia Eagles; PECO, an Exelon Co.; U.S. Forest Service; PA Horticultural Society; Morris Arboretum; and PA Landscape and Nursery Association. TreeVitalize has reached more than half of its $8 million funding goal. The Commonwealth's contribution of $3 million is funded through DCNR and DEP.

For more information on TreeVitalize, log on to www.treevitalize.net. Philadelphia public elementary schools interested in participating in the TreeVitalize tree planting should contact the Fairmount Park Commission at (215) 683-0220.

Three leading environmental organizations partnered with two NFL teams to fight global warming and encourage fans to take action. National environmental group Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), StopGlobalWarming.org, a bi-partisan effort to bring all Americans together to fight global warming, and NativeEnergy, the only Native American owned marketer of carbon offsets and green energy solutions, have partnered with the St. Louis Rams and Philadelphia Eagles to offset the carbon pollution from energy that was used during a December 2005 game at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

Energy to heat the dome and power lights and equipment comes from fossil fuel sources, which means energy for that Sunday's game produced about 58 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution. Organizers arranged for clean energy from a Native American wind project in the midwest and energy from a Pennsylvania dairy farm methane project to be put onto the grid to offset the global warming impact of energy used on the playing field and in fan seating areas. The impact will be the same as powering some of the dome with wind turbines or taking 500 cars off the road for a week.

The major source of game-related CO2 came from travel activities and accommodations. Fans, media, and teams traveling by air, bus, and car will generate more than 10,900 tons of CO2 – about 99% of the event's total carbon footprint. Organizers hope their effort will encourage fans, the media, and the entire professional sports industry to think about energy use differently and will move them to take action, either by joining the virtual march on Washington, DC, by supporting NRDC, or by offsetting their own auto, home, or business energy impact with NativeEnergy.

""The Eagles and Rams have demonstrated leadership in the fight against global warming with new renewable energy projects, and we hope that everyone – not just sports fans – will follow their lead and take action now,"" says Laurie David, founder of StopGlobalWarming.org who, along with NRDC senior attorney Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., will be honored by the NFL for their commitment to the fight against global warming during halftime ceremonies. Earlier this year the Eagles and Rams became the first professional teams on StopGlobalWarming.org's virtual march.

With NativeEnergy, CO2 offsetting actually contributes directly to the construction of new renewable energy generators. NativeEnergy customers help finance new projects by purchasing a share of the renewable energy credits the projects will generate over their operating lives, bringing critical revenues to the project up front. Helping to build these new projects will diversify our nation's energy supply and displace energy that otherwise would come from burning fossil fuels, thereby reducing CO2 and other pollution.

The Rams-Eagles game was the first to offset its carbon footprint with new renewable energy projects, which will diversify the nation's energy supply while helping Native American tribes and Pennsylvania family farms to restore sustainable homeland economies in balance with the Earth.

In addition to NRDC and StopGlobalWarming.org, NativeEnergy's client list includes leading environmentally and socially responsible organizations: Ben & Jerry's, Stonyfield Farm, Timberland, Aveda, Clif Bar, College of the Atlantic, Co-op America, MTV, and the Clinton Global Initiative.