In October of 2010 President Obama vowed that the White House would be equipped with solar panels and a solar hot water heater no later than Spring 2011. What a great idea, right? I thought it was a great idea and was excited to hear the news, but here we are approaching the end of Spring and still no solar panels and no solar hot water heater. Other than the fact that the President is not keeping his promise, this may not seem like such a big deal. I mean, how much of an impact can the White House have on the environment after all? But it is about more than just the impact on the environment, it is also about the impact that the message, the President is sending, will have. What better way is there to make the statement that the United States is taking the leading role in combating climate change, and sees the importance of using renewable energy resources, than using them at the White House?
Shortly after the announcement from President Obama CNN.com published an article highlighting the importance of this initiative by quoting the Energy Secretary Steven Chu, "This project reflects President Obama's strong commitment to U.S. leadership in solar energy and the jobs it will create here at home," Chu said in a written statement released by the Energy Department. "Deploying solar energy technologies across the country will help America lead the global economy for years to come." This quote is a perfect summary of what this move says about the President and the United States. It says very clearly that we value leadership at home and across the globe and in order to gain that leadership, we must begin adopting the use of renewable energy resources and policies.
In another article on Huffingtonpost.com, more emphasis is put on the impact of this message when the author, Dina Cappiello says, "The decision perhaps has more import now after legislation to reduce global warming pollution died in the Senate, despite the White House's support. Obama has vowed to try again on a smaller scale." Here it is evident that despite the last clean energy bill's failure in the Senate, Obama still understands the value solar energy and other clean energy resources hold for our future.
Although Obama still has a few weeks left to make good on his promise, I am tempted to believe that it will not get done in time. I would like to see more progress made on clean energy legislation in Washington and I think this would be a great start.
If you would like to see solar panels on the White House by the end of spring, or just by the end of the year, join me in signing this petition to tell the President that it's time to get the ball rolling!
I agree that it is important that it is very important to put forth the image of going green in the white house, not necessarily the impact it will make on the environment. Many people are just too lazy to go green or think it's too difficult. However, if this is completed by the president, maybe others will follow his lead since he is such a popular president among young people.
ReplyDeleteYou're right he is popular amongst young people but I think the impact will go far beyond that. The actions he takes while living in the White House have the potential to influence our own citizens but also other nations. I am praying for the day when I see a majority of houses with solar panels on their roofs, and the President putting them on the White House would surely kick start the trend.
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