Looking back a few weeks, we were bitterly disappointed when the White House failed to act on our request that they put solar panels back on the roof.
But in truth, I'm almost happy that they waited. Today's announcement that the Obamas will be taking their showers and cooking their breakfast courtesy of the sun could not have come at a better moment. We're four days away from the start of the weekend's giant Global Work Party, and this is the perfect example of everything that we've been talking about for almost a year: it demonstrates the power of individual actions to carry political impact.
People get that. It's why this weekend's big day of work is looking to be even bigger than last year's rally, which CNN called 'the most widespread day of political action in the planet's history.' As of this morning, we had 6227 actions in 185 countries. If you know folks in Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, or East Timor, encourage them to round the total out (We've pretty much given up on North Korea). It's going to be an amazing day--sumo wrestlers riding bikes in Tokyo, Filipinos replanting mangrove forests, and the president of the Maldives putting up his solar panel.
Would we rather have comprehensive climate legislation? We would--which is why, on Sunday, people will put down their hammers and shovels, pick up their cellphones, and in all those countries call their presidents, prime ministers, Politburos to say: 'I'm getting to work, what about you?'
And when they call the White House, they'll be able to add: 'Thanks for making a real start.'
Are you signed up for an event near you this Sunday? www.350.org
Follow Bill McKibben on Twitter: www.twitter.com/billmckibben
Bill McKibben: We Worked: Pictures From the Biggest Day of Climate Action in History
Environmentalist rhetoric is used to further irregular warfare; screwing with our reason, perspective, and our priorities.
Solar energy is not even close to being an rational alternative energy source for a modern nation's energy requirements. It is a useless symbolism on the Whitehouse, perhaps its' signal is ominous of this Presidency.
Crisis economy formation measures must be implemented now or this great nation id doomed.
The United States must activate its' economic platforms: Expand Social Security and Medicaid, Expand NASA space programs, Start the Nuclear Fueled Energy Economy, Construct the interstate mag-lev rail system. Construct the continental water distribution system proposed in the NAWAPA plan. These measures will employ millinos of Americans, reversing our economic crisis.
The citizenry of the United States must organize, empowered to transform our present situation and the environment.
I suppose if you don't mind mucking up the planet to feel good about using an energy source that's less than 100% dependable...
Lest you feel I'm some kind of energy neanderthal, consider the system offered by Stirling Energy.
Its actually more efficient than panels. That's the kind of green I'm talking about...$$$
And thank you, President Obama, for putting solar back on the nation's house. If you can do it, someday we all can (I'm waitin' for the price to do down to something I can better afford).