Super Eco

Photo credit: ABC.net

America finally installed the nation’s first green President.

Environmentalists may now breathe a sigh of relief, while the more reluctantly green have found inspiration and motivation, a carbon-neutral fire lit under our collective butts to change our wasteful, climate-altering ways.

In his address to the world, the 44th U.S. President said of his promises and the environment: "We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories."

But is this green change we can believe in? Will we really see effort and enthusiasm there at the very top?

If the long weekend of inauguration festivities tells us anything, the answer is "yes." No fewer than four fancy schmancy balls had environmental themes. All food was local, all scraps composted, bikes valet parked and restrooms paper towel-free (washers could choose between hand dryers or their pant legs). 

Inauguration organizers banned caterers from using Styrofoam and plastics. Events in the House of Representatives served up organic eats in compostable containers and dished them out on biodegradable plates. Attendees were told to arrive via public transportation, on foot or by bike, though we're pretty sure Oprah showed up in a limo.

This greened up inaugural welcome mat (made from recycled fibers, of course) is just the start. Whether Obama’s policies—written and carried out by his “green team”—will bring change to the country’s stalled environmental movement, remains to be seen.

In our series, the Greening of the White House, Super Eco takes a close look at the new administration’s environmental policy proposals and actions that hope to fulfill the Democrat’s green promises. From his “green jobs” for economic recovery to a new era of renewable energy, we’ll figure out what this eco-America looks like, costs, and means for you.

For our first installment, we’re thinking globally and acting locally on behalf of America’s first green President. We’re peeking through the weatherized windows of the White House to check out the eco-cred of the nation's premiere residence.

Green starts at home, even when “home” is the White House.

Here’s something you don’t know: Obama’s staff won’t have to start from scratch to turn the White House a deeper shade of green. Turns out, while environmentalists were growing increasingly frustrated with the country’s leadership over the past eight years, big changes were going on at the nation’s most notorious residence.

During George W. Bush’s eight years, the White House replaced old-fashioned incandescent bulbs with energy-saving compact fluorescents (just like you!). Staff installed low-flow faucets and low-flush toilets to save water.

Pipes and air ducts were covered with insulation. An energy efficient cooling system was installed to combat the muggy D.C. summers. Solar heating systems power the grounds maintenance buildings. And recycling bins were distributed throughout.

Groundskeepers replaced exit signs—which used electricity guzzling incandescent bulbs—with dramatically more energy efficient LED lighting. Electricians reconfigured the main circuit controls, which turned on and off lights for a block of rooms. Now, the panel controls rooms individually.

Gardeners installed auto sprinklers for the White House lawn. The new system switches off during rain.

Also under Bush, 167 photovoltaic panels were installed on the roof of the White House along with a solar water heating system. 

Sounds good, so what’s left? Well, plenty.

Obama wants every American to try to cut back on energy consumption, even in small ways. He told Barbara Walters in a post-election interview that he, too, would be turning off lights.

“I’m not going to be obsessive about it,” he said to Walters, who asked whether he’d tiptoe around 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. darkening empty rooms. “But I do that in my current house. So there’s no reason why I wouldn’t do it in my next one.”

Obama also hopes to see more vehicles in the presidential fleet run on alternative fuels. While you won’t see him in the backseat of a dark-windowed Prius, the new President will frequently ride in an SUV powered by ethanol or, eventually, a bulletproofed limousine powered by electricity.

Shelter and transportation might prove to be the easier enivro-fixes. Noted food writer Michael Pollan, in an open letter to the then-President elect in the New York Times, wants the new President's attention and leadership aimed at the nation’s appetite. Pollan writes that he thinks a huge change in food policy is inevitable. The recent energy crisis revealed clearly oil's connection to food production. The nation's obesity crisis highlights a lack of interest in or availability of fresh, healthful food.

But like a lot of strategies for going green, Pollan proposes an idea incredibly radical in its simplicity: hiring an official White House farmer to cultivate the five acres of the president’s four- to eight-year residence.

Pollan writes:

"Since enhancing the prestige of farming as an occupation is critical to developing the sun-based regional agriculture we need, the White House should appoint, in addition to a White House chef, a White House farmer. This new post would be charged with implementing what could turn out to be your most symbolically resonant step in building a new American food culture. And that is this: tear out five prime south-facing acres of the White House lawn and plant in their place an organic fruit and vegetable garden."

Pollan also challenges the President to hire a White House chef who is identified with the food movement and uses only fresh, local ingredients. In fact, the Obamas opted to keep the Bush’s chef, since she was already using fresh, organic ingredients in the 43rd President’s family's meals. 

Whether Michelle Obama wants to be or not, she’s the newest fashion icon in America. So are the Obama girls, Sasha and Malia. This presents an opportunity for designers and clothing manufacturers who have focused on fair wages for workers as well as clothing made from eco-friendly fibers. Perhaps Ms. Obama will create a huge market for organic, eco-fiber goods and bring the prices down for everyone.

Finally, as with any presidential changing of the guard, the White House will undergo redecoration, already well underway. While the designs and details haven't been made public yet—this is the Obama family's personal residence, after all—surely environmentally friendly paints, flooring and upholstery will serve as the comfortable and inviting background to the family's home. 

We know that living a more environmentally responsible life is possible —most of us are already making big and small changes. Here's hoping the Obamas become a beacon of inspiration, action, and hope for all those still sitting on the sidelines. Because if he can, then ... well ... yes, we can.