TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Tim McNeil

University of California, DavisMuniz/McNeil, Los Angeles

Museums As Leaders In Sustainability

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Golden Gate park, San Francisco

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

The epicenter for green museums

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Design is the problem

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Designers are worse than used-car salesmen (at least used cars are reused).

Nathan ShedroffDesign is the Problem: The Future of Design Must be Sustainable, 2009

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

The worlds smallest bottle of water

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

The worlds most expensive bottle of water

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

The worlds least expensive bottle of water

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

From moments of crisis come moments of acute opportunity

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

“The best of times and the worst of times.” Joel Makower, Compostmodern 2009

“Historically, when the economy goes down, so does our energy use. That's the best worst news I've heard all day.”

Saul Griffith, Compostmodern 2009

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Museums are NOT leaders in sustainability

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

How can ALL museums become environmental leaders?

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

The Critical Issues

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

The Critical Issues

1. Adopting environmentally sound practices.

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

The Critical Issues

1. Adopting environmentally sound practices.

2. Improving the performance of museum buildings.

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

The Critical Issues

1. Adopting environmentally sound practices.

2. Improving the performance of museum buildings.

3. Leading in sustainability communication, education and training.

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

The Critical Issues

1. Adopting environmentally sound practices.

2. Improving the performance of museum buildings.

3. Leading in sustainability communication, education and training.

4. Accepting that success factors will have to be realigned

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Leadership

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Leadership

• Pick a museum, we are all universally connected to sustainability.

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Leadership

• Pick a museum, we are all universally connected to sustainability.

• Practice and embrace advocacy.

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Leadership

• Pick a museum, we are all universally connected to sustainability.

• Practice and embrace advocacy.

• Change our mindset and challenge our deepest creature habits.

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Leadership

• Pick a museum, we are all universally connected to sustainability.

• Practice and embrace advocacy.

• Change our mindset and challenge our deepest creature habits.

• Alliances with communities and other sectors.

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Leadership

• Pick a museum, we are all universally connected to sustainability.

• Practice and embrace advocacy.

• Change our mindset and challenge our deepest creature habits.

• Alliances with communities and other sectors.

• Move from an environmental degradation audit mode to an action mode.

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Buildings

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Buildings• Invest in existing museums.

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Buildings• Invest in existing museums.

• Improve operational/physical infrastructure.

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Buildings• Invest in existing museums.

• Improve operational/physical infrastructure.

• Ignore political, government and public pressure at your peril.

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Education

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Education

• Huge potential for sustainability as an organizer/topic for displays and exhibitions.

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Education

• Huge potential for sustainability as an organizer/topic for displays and exhibitions.

• A shifting demographic and audience awareness.

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Education

• Huge potential for sustainability as an organizer/topic for displays and exhibitions.

• A shifting demographic and audience awareness.

• Museum collections as vital resources for the environmental record.

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Standards and Ethics

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Standards and Ethics

• Changing behavior and organizational attitudes in the museum profession.

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Standards and Ethics

• Changing behavior and organizational attitudes in the museum profession.

• The “green ethic” is a natural fit.

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Standards and Ethics

• Changing behavior and organizational attitudes in the museum profession.

• The “green ethic” is a natural fit.

• A robust rubric rather than one size fits all accreditation.

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Benchmarks for moving forward

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

OMSI Green Exhibit Certification

A much needed tool for evaluating the sustainability of exhibitions.

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland, OR.Courtesy: Jennifer Wilcox, Exhibitions Creative Director

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Energy Efficient Lighting

LED’s (Light Emitting Diodes) that meet the operational and aesthetic criteria for an art exhibition environment.

The Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.Treasures through Six Generations: Chinese Painting and Calligraphy from the Weng Collection.Courtesy: Muniz/McNeil, Los Angeles, CA

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

GMI Website

Green Museums Initiative and the California Association of Museums launches a new website for museum professionals.

www.greenmuseums.info

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Green Museums Accord

A commitment to sustainable practices: an institution-wide pledge to begin greening your museum.

www.greenmuseums.info

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

1. Publicly declare participation in greening your institution as part of the Green Museums Accord. Sign-up!

Green Museums Accord

A commitment to sustainable practices: an institution-wide pledge to begin greening your museum.

www.greenmuseums.info

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

1. Publicly declare participation in greening your institution as part of the Green Museums Accord. Sign-up!

2. Undertake programs to educate your colleagues, board, visitors, vendors, and other stakeholders about sustainability and sustainable museum practices.

Green Museums Accord

A commitment to sustainable practices: an institution-wide pledge to begin greening your museum.

www.greenmuseums.info

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

1. Publicly declare participation in greening your institution as part of the Green Museums Accord. Sign-up!

2. Undertake programs to educate your colleagues, board, visitors, vendors, and other stakeholders about sustainability and sustainable museum practices.

3. Initiate a dialogue with your colleagues and other project team members about the environmental impact and sustainable alternatives on every major project. Carefully consider any new external contracts, and try to favor environmentally responsible vendors and work processes.

Green Museums Accord

A commitment to sustainable practices: an institution-wide pledge to begin greening your museum.

www.greenmuseums.info

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

1. Publicly declare participation in greening your institution as part of the Green Museums Accord. Sign-up!

2. Undertake programs to educate your colleagues, board, visitors, vendors, and other stakeholders about sustainability and sustainable museum practices.

3. Initiate a dialogue with your colleagues and other project team members about the environmental impact and sustainable alternatives on every major project. Carefully consider any new external contracts, and try to favor environmentally responsible vendors and work processes.

4. Either measure or estimate the carbon/greenhouse gas footprint of your museum and pledge to reduce your footprint on an ongoing basis.

Green Museums Accord

A commitment to sustainable practices: an institution-wide pledge to begin greening your museum.

www.greenmuseums.info

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

1. Publicly declare participation in greening your institution as part of the Green Museums Accord. Sign-up!

2. Undertake programs to educate your colleagues, board, visitors, vendors, and other stakeholders about sustainability and sustainable museum practices.

3. Initiate a dialogue with your colleagues and other project team members about the environmental impact and sustainable alternatives on every major project. Carefully consider any new external contracts, and try to favor environmentally responsible vendors and work processes.

4. Either measure or estimate the carbon/greenhouse gas footprint of your museum and pledge to reduce your footprint on an ongoing basis.

5. Advance the understanding of environmental issues from a museum’s perspective by contributing actively to the communal knowledge base in this area.

Green Museums Accord

A commitment to sustainable practices: an institution-wide pledge to begin greening your museum.

www.greenmuseums.info

TIM MCNEIL CC/CAS 04/08/09MUSEUMS AS LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Thank you