Watching today’s inaugural gala, the huge carbon footprint of this event is strikingly apparent. Showy gowns, 12 different ”balls”, transformation of the Washington Mall into a stage for a million onlookers, and of course the travel footprint of all those inspired Americans who came to be part of history. I suppose we can’t deny ourselves a celebration over what appears to be a huge electoral victory for our team. But how Barak and Michelle celebrate and how they live will become a big story over the coming years, perhaps as big as some of their policy initiatives. These are not quiet, reserved, private people. They don’t look like the type to shy away from the camera. If Barak is seen in the oval office puffing on a cigarette (how about a fancy cigarette holder as in the old FDR photos), it will suddenly become normal and even “in” to smoke away. If Michelle is seen throwing a tupperware party, we’ll all get re-energized about plastic. But hopefully our first family will seize this visibility to make a personal statement about conscious choices and sustainable lifestyles. Is it too small a detail for the president and his first lady to demand green cleaning products in white house toilets? Is it below them to install motion-sensitive lighting for this gargantuan abode? Is it a dangerous distraction for the leader of the free world to focus on his lawn, perhaps shifting it from chemicals to an organic diet? How about a vegetable garden? Should they risk embarrassment by hanging the presidential laundry out in the sun to dry?
To coin an old 1960’s expression, the personal is the political. This is especially true for our first family. The White House is not just their home, its the dream home for all of us, symbolizing the height of achievement, honor, and power. Converting the White House to the Green House would do more to transform America’s homes than speech-making about energy conservation and carbon offsets. The White House has been on the vanguard of domestic change since the beginning - Jefferson installed indoor toilets, van Buren brought in central heat, and an elevator was installed by Chester A. Arthur. Carter put solar hot water on the roof and in 2002 Bush installed a photovoltaic array on that roof. Much more can be done; its a great laboratory to demonstrate whats possible. Obama has talked about greening the White House, starting with an energy audit. Lets hope he and Michelle can tame the behemoth carbon hog they’ve inherited and show the rest of America: “Yes We Can” go green at home. Michelle will be looking for some new projects - maybe she can become the first lady of green.
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