Rumor has it that Obama is finally going through with his
promise to install solar panels on the roof of the White House. There will be
between 50 and 20 panels. The power produced by these panels will be equivalent
to the power required for 15 seconds of flight in Air Force One. Although this
is hardly enough power needed to power the icon that is the White House, it is
a step towards greener energy.
This isn’t the first time the White House has
made a move towards cleaner energy. Jimmy Carter put solar panels on the White
House during his term. Ronald Reagan later removed these panels. George W. Bush also added some solar powered
systems to White House grounds.
I think Obama is making a good step towards
alternate power sources and it will bring a good light to our country, but at
the same time these solar panels are barely going to do anything. If Obama
really wants to send a message about America moving forward with renewable
energy sources, then he should implement enough solar panels to make an actual
difference, not only power one T.V. This
is a great step, but so much more could be done. 20-50 solar panels is nothing
compared to the 167 American-made ones Bush had placed on the maintenance
building for the White House during his first term. Bush’s solar panels and solar thermal systems
heat the pool and hot water at the white house. Obama’s solar panels will
produce enough power to power a T.V. or two, a lot more could be done to
enhance the White House’s renewable energy resources.
More about the White House and it's s
olar panels: http://www.enn.com/green_building/article/46324
This is a wonderful step forward for renewable energy. Even though these solar panels only generate enough energy to power a television or two, like you said, this move towards a greener a greener White House serves as a symbol. A symbol that renewable energy is in fact a reality for the future and that if we all contribute just a little bit we can reduce our carbon footprint as a whole. And since it is out president it also sends a message that it is "cool" to be more green and will encourage more people to fall in our leader's footsteps. While it isn't the first time a president has done it, he is setting a good example for everyone to follow. Wonderful move by the Obama administration.
ReplyDeleteCarson I completely agree. This is a small step towards a cleaner earth, but more could be done. The power given off by the solar panels only generates power for a T.V and there are probably dozens of them in the white house alone. I think that Obama should put at least two hundred more panels to generate more power. I believe that if the United States people see that Obama is taking the road to a cleaner earth then they will too. It is time we become a more eco-friendly world.
ReplyDeleteWhile definitely a step, I also agree that much more could be done on the grounds to make it as energy-efficient as possible. Carter should be applauded for such an early step towards green living; during his term most Americans didn't care about the environment, and green technologies had barely been born. Bush's maintenance building and the concepts implemented could definitely be brought to use in the main building; Obama could definitely be pushed up a few ranks in the world community by boasting a completely green and cleanly energized capitol complex. This could be done by the obvious addition of more solar panels, the planting of new trees along the White house grounds, and by changing the systems within the complex as well; Televisions, cameras, computers and lights should all be completely switched out to squeeze every last bit of energy out of every appliance. This can easily be done, with a resource-rich government like ours that already wastes boatloads of money.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is good that our leader is making a step to try to towards making the white house more energy efficient for the environment. Maybe it will inspire more Americans to do the same. Our nation’s leader is a role model to everyone and if he can do it maybe they will to. Even though it is a small step it’s still a step in the right direction. At the president is showing that he wants to do better. You cannot ask some to make a big change overnight. It takes time and you have to grow and eventually you will get your intended results. I would be worried if he was not taking any concern for the environment at all.
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