http://www.care2.com/greenliving/a-green-white-house.html
A Green White House?
Right now it’s not, but in an interview with Barbara Walters, President Barack Obama said he plans on “greening” the White House by sitting down with the chief usher for the presidential mansion to do an energy efficiency evaluation. Obama mentioned that he turns off lights and unplugs electronics when not in use in his Chicago home.
Let’s take a look at Obama’s Chicago house. According to a recent article on Sprig.com, the Obamas “live in a two-story, six-bedroom, six-bathroom, four-fireplace, 6,400-square-foot Georgian revival home with a four-car garage on a lot that is under a quarter of an acre.” According to the Carbon Fund, the average American’s house is about 1,700 square feet in size, so the Obama’s 6,400-square-foot-house is about four times larger than the average, but not that large in comparison with other affluent individuals. The White House is 55,000 square feet.
The Washington Post revealed that the Obamas have chosen California interior designer Michael S. Smith. Michelle states, “Michael shares my vision for creating a family-friendly feel to our new home and incorporating some new perspectives from some of America’s greatest artists and designers.” Smith said, “The family’s casual style, their interest in bringing 20th-century American artists to the forefront and utilizing affordable brands and products will serve as our guiding principles as we make the residence feel like their home,” No mention of green interior. Smith is a highly respected designer, although I could not find a green design statement on his website.
The Obama’s oldest daughter Malia, has asthma. As parents, the Obamas will no doubt take precautionary measures to make the White House an asthma-free zone. This might mean clearing the air of toxins and incorporating the use of green cleaning products.
While there are no more specifics yet about the greening of the White House that I could find, if the inaugural balls are an indication of what’s ahead for a greener White House, all of us “greenies” can give the Obamas a collective nod in the green direction.
In a guest post by Caitlin Sislin at redgreenandblue.com, from the Women’s Earth Alliance addresses Obama’s commitment to slowing and reversing climate change. “So it’s no surprise that Obama’s inauguration will have the smallest ‘footprint’ of any president in history. The four-plus million people expected to flood Washington, D.C. will be treated to numerous eco-friendly perks”:
• For the first time ever, the Environmental Protection Agency will advise event organizers on techniques for throwing a greener party.
• Festivities will include not one, but two carbon-neutral Green Inaugural Balls–one hosted by Al Gore.
• Organic food will be served at official events.
• Bicycle-riders will be treated to valet parking.
• Public restrooms will feature air dryers instead of paper towels.
• Many of the festivities will be lit using energy-efficient bulbs.
• All catered events at the House of Representatives will use compostable or biodegradable plates and utensils.
Just like in your EcoNest and mine, green awareness at home has to start somewhere. Not since President Jimmy Carter put solar panels on top of the White House has a president been so interested in serving as a leader of the “Green World.” The environmental seeds are planted and the White House has a president who says he adheres to green ethics.
Ronnie Citron-Fink lives in New York with her husband, two children (when they come home to the nest), two dogs and a cat. Ronnie is a teacher and a writer. She has been a contributing writer for Family Fun magazine. She currently writes articles about education and home design. Her writings are in four books including Family Fun Home and Some Delights of the Hudson Valley.
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8 comments
add your comment »I also think that making the White House "green" is not a bad idea. The world is suffering from global warming, and we need to help prevent it. I know that many people know about global warming, but there are people out there that do not know about this. By President Obama taking this action, it will be a lesson to people that there are many things that are going around in the world and they need to be taken care of. Since the first daughter of the family Malia has asthma, it is a good idea to make the house greener to make a better condition for living. Also this will be something new to be done to the white house. Since the white house is so huge, it needs a lot of energy. Some of the energy provided there is of no use. There are many things that can be changed and Pres.Obama taking this step, it is really good. I do not see what is wrong in taking this step and being one of the many people who are taking part in going Green.
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I would like to make a comment on Greening the White House. I love that this is even a topic of concern I mean why shouldn't it be. Having a child with asthma should top the list not to mention the Obamas concerns on environmental issues. I have one suggestion. Visit www.sargentsteam.com A company based out of Salt Lake City, Ut for sixteen years and running. Let there be no mistake about it. this steam cleaner is the answer we've all been waiting for. Since owning my Sargent Steamer There has not been one asthma attack. The air is cleaner, all surfaces are sanitized in 2 seconds, and it all done with regular tap water. The cleaning possibilities are endless. Furniture, Floors, walls, bathrooms, kitchens, cars, toys, electronics, appliances, sports equipment and much much more. I purchased my steam cleaner almost 3 years ago. I love what it does for me and my family and for what it does for the environment. Visit WWW.SARGENTSTEAM .COM
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(The last sentence) Having a "green" White House may make people go green and get to an end of most of our global issues.
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I do not think that making a "green" white house is actually a bad idea. The idea is not half bad because many of the ideas are very good. "The Obama’s oldest daughter Malia has asthma. As parents, the Obama’s will no doubt take precautionary measures to make the White House an asthma-free zone. This might mean clearing the air of toxins and incorporating the use of green cleaning products." This text meant that it is his daughter has asthma and Barack Obama and Michelle Obama care for her. They want to have a clean place. They want the air to be clean everywhere not only in where they live. Imagine other people that have asthma. They would like to have clean air. They would like to get rid of the toxins in the air. We have so many toxins in our air that is not good for us. The ten most common environmental toxins are PCB's major source found in farm raised salmons, pesticide found in fruits and vegetables, mold and other fungal toxins, phthalates found in fragrances and plastics, volatile organic compounds found in cleaning fluids and cosmetics, dioxins, ninety-five percent of exposure comes from eating animal facts, asbestos, heavy metals, chloroform found in our air and drinking water and chlorine found in household cleaners. Using green cleaning products will help people with asthma and the president’s daughter, Malia. Michelle Obama could be an inspiration to others. Having a "green" White House may make people go green and get to an end of most of our glo
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I think greening the White House is a great idea for the first family and the nation. I predict Michelle Obama will be a cultural icon and trendsetter. I hope she is very public with the changes she makes, including green cleaning products for Malia's asthma.
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This makes sense to me. Lead by example and update a 200 year old work horse! I like it.
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We need to invest in America. We need to get on with becoming an energy independent nation. www.themanhattanprojectof2009.com
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This past year the high cost of fuel did serious damage to our economy and society. The trickle effects will be felt for years to come.The price of fuel affects every aspect of our economy from higher production and shipping costs to higher electric bills. Record numbers of jobs and homes were lost as a direct result. We are still reeling at the checkout lanes. We have spent billions in stimulus and bail outs. We need to bail America out of it's dependence on foreign oil. Create cheap clean energy, millions of badly needed green collar jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. I just read the best book ever called The Manhattan Project of 2009 by Jeff Wilson. After a brief reprieve gas prices are on their way back up. OPEC has vowed to cut production until they achieve their desired 80-100. per barrel. It would cost the equivalent of 60 cents per gallon to charge and drive an electric car. The electricity to charge the car could come from solar or wind generated electricity. If all gasoline cars, trucks, and SUV's instead had plug-in electric drive trains, the amount of electricity needed to replace gasoline is about equal to the estimated wind energy potential of the state of North Dakota. Oil is finite. We are using it globally at the rate of 2 X faster than new oil is being discovered. India and China are expected to put 3 million more vehicles on their highways within the next 20 years. We have so much available to us , wind, solar, hybrid technology and bio fuels.
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