US Presidents and the Environment
Renee Lafair  Start Living Green Expert 

When earth is rich it bids defiance to droughts, yields in abundance and of the best quality. ~Thomas Jefferson 

     During President's month, I wanted to see what kind of leadership US presidents have demonstrated on environmental issues.  It all came down to one thing.  It's not about liberal vs. conservative.  For our presidents, it's all about foresight.  The most environmental US presidents in history all shared that common environmental theme, no matter which party they belonged to.  

     They balanced the growth of the country with the preservation of national treasures, and later, with the protection of the population. Here are some of the most forward thinking environmental Presidents, and what made them so: 

       Thomas Jefferson believed in humankind's relationship with nature and had a true     love of working the land. After all, he financed Lewis and Clark's expedition, and brought about the Louisiana Purchase, hoping to provide more land so people could farm.  He and George Washington both learned compost techniques from the Native Americans, and used them actively. Jefferson used crop rotation, natural fertilizers, and contour plowing.  He realized that bounty is finite. If the nation and its citizens are to continue to enjoy the fruits of the New World, he said, then its resources must be properly stewarded.  

        Abraham Lincoln signed an ordinance protecting the Yosemite Valley in California. 

        Theodore Roosevelt understood the importance of protecting our national forests and natural treasures.  He set aside over 200 million acres of land.  He established the National Wildlife Refuge System. Even as an avid hunter, he had a deep respect for conservation and wildlife.

       Woodrow Wilson created the National Park System in 1916.

       John F. Kennedy,  influenced by Biologist Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring, began to understand the dangers of pesticides and investigated the impact of pesticides.

       Richard Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency.  The first legislation protecting the air and water from pollution came out of his administration.

       Jimmy Carter saved millions of dollars and reduced pollution by shifting the entire US government and all of the military to electricity-conserving work hours and practices.

He sounded the first strong warnings against dependence on foreign oil.

        Bill Clinton built his entire Presidential Library using modern energy conservation and "green" techniques. 

     All the Presidents listed above, and many others, balanced growth and expansion with protection and conservation. They truly led, by taking concrete action and living out their values in everyday life.

      Even George W. Bush, known for voting against conservation from the White House, has his home ranch fitted with solar panels, water reduction, water reuse and thermal heating processes.

While I wish to have every thing good in its kind, and handsome in stile, I am a great enemy to waste and useless extravagance, and see them with real pain.

                                                                              ~ Thomas Jefferson, August 14, 1801