| Exhibitions |
| The Green Museums Initiative |
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| Things You Can Do Today |
| "Exhibitions are positioned to serve as a model for sustainable initiatives and greener practices." |
Why is it important to be green?
Exhibitions provide inspiration and learning. They cater to audiences,
collectively millions of people, representing the broadest spectrum of
visitor demographics. Developing and installing an exhibition requires
large quantities of construction materials, electrical energy and
transportation. Exhibitions are therefore positioned to play an influential
role communicating environmental issues and serve as a model for
sustainable initiatives and greener practices.
How can we become greener?
“Close-the-loop” and reuse or recycle exhibit materials through local non-
profit or city run programs. Better still “reduce”. Don’t buy it or build it
unless you have to. Extend the longevity of a product, loan it, or give it to
another museum. Start by constructing exhibit components (walls, display
cases, furnishings) from recycled or rapidly renewable materials. Then go
beyond specifying products that are less bad. Look at the fabrication
process for exhibit components, how can they be designed so that they can
be repurposed and reconfigured multiple times?
Environmental health concerns are linked with the chemicals used in many
common products such as paints, glues and graphics applications. Even
when dry or installed, these products continue to release toxins that are
trapped in an indoor environment. Consider the growing array of
alternative green products for the exhibition environment, specify non-
toxic paints and products, and those derived from recycled or rapidly
renewable sources for exhibition construction.
Twenty-four hour a day climate control and complex lighting systems use
electricity from power plants that generate carbon dioxide, the chief cause
of global warming. Use energy efficient climate and lighting systems for
exhibition spaces, gain greater control over localized exhibition areas using
dimmers and sensors, and obtain electricity from renewable energy
sources. Ultimately, reduce an exhibitions energy consumption.
What should be our goal?
The Green Museums Accord encourages a dialogue with museum staff
about the environmental impact and sustainable alternatives on every
major project. Collaborate with exhibit fabrication teams who are willing to
explore environmentally responsible processes, use their inventory of
leftover materials in innovative ways, and test the behavior of recycled
materials and non-toxic products. Undertake initiatives to educate visitors
about the steps taken to green an exhibition. Reduce the
carbon/greenhouse gas footprint of your museum by using less electricity
more efficiently. Last but not least, share information and resources with
others in the exhibition community so that they can learn from your
experiences.
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