In the field of renewable energy, Jimmy Carter is perhaps best known for installing solar panels on the roof of the White House, which were later removed by his successor, Ronald Reagan.
But the 39th president, who left office in 1981 and died Sunday at age 100, had a grander vision for a sustainable planet. If the United States had acted on them, we might have faced a more dire climate future than we do today.
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Carter cared deeply about the natural world. As president, he doubled the size of the National Park System and tripled the area of federally protected wilderness. He signed the Superfund Act, which created a way for the government to fund the cleanup of hazardous waste. He tried, but largely failed, to block the construction of more than a dozen expensive and environmentally destructive water infrastructure projects, including dams, canals, and reservoirs.
He also introduced the nation’s first automobile fuel economy standards, tasked researchers with lowering the cost of solar panels, and sought to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil, an effort he called “the greatest and most exciting.” “This may just be the first part of an exciting adventure,” he predicted. This is what has been done before by the American people. ”
“Nobody can embargo sunlight,” Carter said in 1978 at the federally funded Solar Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, the predecessor of today’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Ta. “There is no cartel that controls the sun. Its energy never runs out. It doesn’t pollute the air. It doesn’t pollute our water. There’s no odor, there’s no smog.”
prophetic words. And while he was primarily thinking about how to free Americans from a geopolitical crisis that could wreak havoc on oil supplies and gasoline prices, he also had in mind heat-trapping greenhouse gases.
Immediately after taking office, he ordered an ambitious study of “potential changes to the world’s population, natural resources, and environment.” The White House Council on Environmental Quality’s final report warned that burning fossil fuels could cause “widespread and far-reaching changes to global climate, economic, social, and agricultural patterns.” To avoid such risks, it recommended limiting global temperature rise to no more than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This goal was finally agreed upon by some 200 countries 35 years later.
Even though Carter’s actions were aimed more at reducing oil imports than at reducing global warming pollution, he was willing to increase domestic coal production if it meant reducing dependence on foreign crude oil. Even so, there are lessons to be learned from the political battles he fought, especially those he lost. We care about today’s climate.
For example, historian Kai Byrd notes that after Carter struggled to pass a tax on gas-guzzling automobiles, he wrote in his diary: ” In fact, oil and gas companies still have significant influence. Sport utility vehicles are more popular than ever.
When fossil fuel executives say we have no choice but to buy what they’re selling – when they claim there’s no alternative – if they don’t help stop Carter’s plan, the world… Think about how different things could have been.
Carter managed to overcome their objections and give us an early start on an alternative plan.
And when you think about what you want the world to look like in 10, 20, 30 years, think broadly.
In fact, start by thinking long-term. In turbulent times like the ones we live in, it can be difficult to look ahead to the next four years or the increasingly extreme weather that will be upon us.
But this is where we should take inspiration from Carter. He failed to realize his vision for a more sustainable planet. He was also not elected to a second term. However, he lived to be 100 years old. He saw the world change a lot.
If we are to survive, we need to see further changes. May we all be as lucky as Carter.
President Jimmy Carter has touted the Alaska Lands Conservation Act in the White House after signing it into law in 1980. The bill established federal protections for more than 150 million acres of land in the state.
(Related news organizations)
Related to that, here’s what’s happening in the Western world.
energy transition
Many journalists are on vacation this week, so there won’t be many articles. But on the transportation front, the Times’ Melissa Gomez reported that the state agency behind California’s long-awaited bullet train is training Central Valley residents for high-paying jobs. And China correspondent Stephanie Yang reports that Chinese electric car makers are transforming Thailand’s auto industry, overtaking longtime Japanese leaders such as Subaru and Suzuki.
Some fossil fuel stories:
This former Utah coal mining town has been transformed into a mecca for artists, tourists, and Christmas lovers, helping to keep the local economy afloat. The light parade in December is beautiful. (Brooke Larsen, High Country News) Outgoing U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has taken a step to protect Nevada’s Ruby Mountains from oil and gas drilling. We’ll see if the Trump administration changes course. (Nicola Groom, Reuters) New York Gov. Cathy Hochul signed into law a law requiring major fossil fuel companies to pay billions of dollars in damages from extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change, with the money going toward repairs. Contributed to state fund for use. Infrastructure development, ecosystem restoration, injury treatment, etc. This legislation could help pave the way for similar liability legislation in California and elsewhere. (Hilary Howard, New York Times)
on the landscape
Today is the last day of what will almost certainly go down as the hottest year on record. You may remember that the current record holder is 2023. NPR’s Lauren Sommer has more on the latest bleak numbers.
Other climate impacts:
The partial collapse of Santa Cruz Pier amid powerful ocean currents and towering waves should serve as a somber reminder that California’s piers may not be able to withstand global warming. (Noah Haggerty, LA Times) Valley fever cases are surging in California, and climate change is likely a factor. (Suzanne Last, LA Times)
One more thing
The morning sun illuminates the Teton Mountains in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming in 2016.
(Brennan Linsley/Associated Press)
Let’s end this year with some good news.
More than 600 acres of valuable land surrounded by Grand Teton National Park was owned by the state of Wyoming until this week, and although state officials had hoped to auction it off on the open market, it is now part of the national park. It becomes. The federal government’s land purchase was made possible with $62.5 million in federal funds and $37.6 million in private financing. For more information, read comments from Billy Arnold of Jackson Hole News & Guide.
Grand Teton is amazing. I wrote about backpacking there a few years ago. Great memories.
There is no Thursday edition this week. Happy New Year everyone!
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