Considering Our Footprints

In years past, it was the depth of footprints in snow that concerned us. Although we still like to make marks in that pristine blanket, other footprints have become more significant…i.e. our global footprint.

Knowledge about greenhouse gas emissions brings us at ANNE REED GALLERY to a landmark change: you will no longer be receiving our carefully executed cards announcing new exhibitions.

In a cursory look, we became aware of the following:

ARG announcement cards consumed annually over 49 square miles of paper (that does NOT count the envelopes, which added another 96 plus square miles!) Each card traveled (that means carbon emissions!) an average of two thousand miles to arrive at its intended addressee!

Let’s backtrack for a moment. Consider the emissions from the humongous trucks that drove to retrieve the trees and haul their load to the paper mills. (We’ve stopped before considering the emissions released while building wilderness roads!)

Now factor in pulp and paper mills, considered among the worst polluters. Add the fact that, the newly made, beautiful glossy paper we used for our announcements, had to be transported (more emissions!) to the press, hundreds of miles away. The domino effect is wide-ranging and we have barely delved beyond the tip of the iceberg in our analysis.

Now consider the trail didn’t end when our card reached its destination. Even our most devoted collectors, at times, discarded our cards. The end for the card would be nearing but not the globing warming potential (GPW). Disposal sites that allow burning or land fills that rely on decaying create additional greenhouse gases.

In view of the above, we at ANNE REED GALLERY have made the commitment to send e-announcements. We hope you’ll look forward to receiving them and respect our decision in sending them.

Speaking of electronic communication, remember to check out our newly launched website which includes this blog that promises to keep you updated on what’s happening here in the gallery and with our artists, as well as what’s new in the global art world!

Join us in helping to stop global warming!

- B. (Barbi) Anne Reed