It's de rigueur these days for event organizers to make claims about their programs' environmentally friendly practices—but Fox Broadcasting Company is one host that intends to make good on its promises. In keeping with its "Green it. Mean it." campaign, Fox has partnered with environmental org Global Inheritance to produce what it's billing as one of the eco-friendliest awards shows of the year: the Teen Choice awards. For five days leading up to Sunday's show, both amateur and experienced riders will pedal 40 Schwinn bikes hooked up to Global Inheritance’s “Tour de Energy” bike station at the Hollywood & Highland Center's central courtyard to produce kinetic energy that is converted to electricity and pumped back into the grid. The rider that generates the most power each day wins a Schwinn bike, and all participants are eligible to win additional prizes.
The site also includes the "Energy Playground," with a seesaw and human hamster wheel. The energy generated by riders, in conjunction with power from local wind farms, will allow the show to run entirely on renewable energy.
Fox executive director of special events Josh Mark and manager of special events Lauren Selman are overseeing the program. Selman said she expected the event to draw about 1,000 participants in all, after pulling in 200 the first day. Participants came from outreach to family and friends, schools and teams, and environmental media outlets.
