Agent Jack Bauer takes on global warming

Jack Bauer will take on global warming in the hit show 24 as the series aims to become the first to make its season finale “carbon neutral”, Twentieth Century Fox said.

Kiefer Sutherland, who plays CTU agent Bauer, has already filmed a US public service announcement describing 24’s commitment to the issue.

Producers said they wanted to change the show’s practices in a bid to save energy and reduce carbon emissions while incorporating climate change into the series’ plot “where appropriate” in a bid to “inspire its millions of viewers” to take the issues seriously “before its too late”.

In the announcement, which starts with the 24 logo and music, Sutherland says: “Global warming is a crime for which we are all guilty.

“From our cars to our homes and our workplaces, we are all releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thus raising the temperature of our planet.

“If we don’t do something about it now, this change in our climate will unleash irreversible damage.

“All of us at 24 understand the urgency of this problem and over the next year we will be implementing creative new ways to more efficiently produce our show and significantly reduce our carbon footprint.

“And you can too. Global warming can no longer be ignored, but it can be stopped.

“And the production team at 24 is proud to be a part of the solution. We hope you will join us in this most important endeavour.”

He adds: “Do it now, while there’s still time,” as the 24 clock counts down the last four seconds of the announcement and the lights of an office in the background fade out.

Howard Gordon, executive producer, said: “We care deeply about this issue at 24, and we wanted to do our own small part to be part of the solution.

“We looked at how we produce the show, and realised that there were some substantive changes we could implement which would make a real difference.

“But even more importantly, we hope to inspire our audience to look at what they can do in their own lives to help stem global warming.

“We think this will be the beginning of a conversation with our millions of viewers that will hopefully inspire them to take action around the world.”

The show will introduce a number of initiatives, including the use of biodiesel fuels to power generators and production vehicles; running all on-stage production activities on “green power”; and rewiring a stage to use electric, rather than diesel-generated, power.

It will also integrate fuel-saving and low-emission hybrid vehicles into the production fleet and, “when appropriate” incorporate “the issue of global warming and the importance of carbon emission reduction into storylines,” a 24 spokesman said.