Pining for a green commander in chief

Next time you're in Little Rock, AR, on a Saturday, you can tour the green Clinton presidential library and museum. The center features 336 solar panels, 10 miles of radiant flooring, recycled local materials, an electric car plug-in station, bike parking, and LEED green-building certification.

"And to think we used to question his commitment to the environment. Excuse us while we go cry in the corner," mourns the Grist List. Speaking of weeping, presidents, and sustainability, did you know that George W. Bush is a closet solar power user? His ranch in Crawford, TX, is "a paragon of environmental planning," reported Cowboys and Indians magazine years ago:

The passive-solar house is built of honey-colored native limestone and positioned to absorb winter sunlight, warming the interior walkways and walls of the 4,000-square-foot residence. Geothermal heat pumps circulate water through pipes buried 300 feet deep in the ground. These waters pass through a heat exchange system that keeps the home warm in winter and cool in summer.

Behold, the White House pool and cabana went solar three years ago. As the architect spun it, "We call it 'silent stewardship.'" Touching. In light of the current administration's eco-unfriendly policies, give props instead to President Carter for the circa 1977 solar water-heating system on the roof of the West Wing. It was removed on Reagan's watch due to a leak, then reinstalled two years ago. And why not, go ahead and credit Nixon for signing lots of green laws.

Whether you vote purple, red or blue, ecological anxiety is raging in some unlikely places these days. Republicans for Environmental Protection has been campaigning for a decade for a greener GOP. More Evangelical Christians are pushing government to fight global warming and drive like Jesus too.

 

Comments

[Enviroman]

Pining for a green world commander who will institute a new economic model for the world. See http://enviromansays.blogspot.com

[green LA girl]

I've always wondered why dubya does solar back at the ranch, but refuses to make it easier for the rest of the US to do likewise.

But then I s'pose I shouldn't look to dubya for rational explanations -- Follow the money instead --