Energy, Climate Change
and Our Environment

The President has taken unprecedented action to build the foundation for a clean energy economy, tackle the issue of climate change, and protect our environment.

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  • Building on Efficiency

    Posted by Heather Zichal on May 2, 2012 at 4:01 PM EDT

    Two administration-led, industry-driven efforts marked milestones today. The first will put Americans to work on more than $2 billion in energy upgrades for federal buildings. The second will offer 30 million households and businesses more control over their energy bills. And together, these efforts will support an economy that’s built to last, one that makes use of every source of American energy – more efficiently.

    Better Buildings

    In December, as part of his We Can’t Wait initiative, the President challenged federal agencies to make at least $2 billion worth of energy-efficiency upgrades over the next two years. Meeting the first of several milestones of the challenge, federal agencies have identified $2.1 billion of projects that will pay for themselves using performance-based contracts.

    Of the $2.1 billion in energy upgrade projects identified by agencies, more than $100 million in Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) and Utility Energy Savings Contracts (UESCs) have been awarded already, and an additional $1.2 billion in projects are in development – demonstrating strong momentum towards meeting the President’s goal.

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  • The Youth Sustainability Challenge: Creating an America Built to Last

    Posted by Nancy Sutley and Lisa P. Jackson on May 2, 2012 at 3:00 PM EDT

    Today we are excited to announce a new initiative in partnership with America's young leaders. We're asking you, America's youth, to tell the world how you're fostering sustainability and creating an America built to last. Starting today, submit your video message for the Youth Sustainability Challenge and share how you're making a difference.

    This June, leaders from around the world will convene in Rio de Janeiro to mark the 20th anniversary of the historic "Earth Summit," formally known as the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. The conference is an opportunity for the world to engage in a global conversation and take action to build a healthier and more sustainable future for our planet.

    Here at home, we are focused on taking action to protect the health of our families and communities, and build a strong and growing economy and middle class. Americans are already working together to create innovative solutions to our shared global challenges, including through clean energy innovations and investments that support hundreds of thousands of jobs and have put us on track to double renewable energy generation in the U.S. by the end of this year.  

    The Obama Administration will continue to support American innovation and smart investments that will build a strong and healthy country and economy. We also believe that real progress begins with individuals who take action in their own homes and their own communities. That's why, as we prepare for the conference in Rio, we are challenging America's future leaders to do their part.

    This Tuesday, May 8, Obama Administration officials and youth sustainability leaders will gather for an event at the White House to mark the launch of this Challenge. But you can get involved now. Join the conversation. Encourage others to do the same. Demonstrate how you have power to create an America built to last – and to change our world for the better.

    • Twitter: Use the hashtag #EarthDayEveryDay
    • Facebook: Update your status and profile image

    Nancy Sutley is Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality

    Lisa P. Jackson is the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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  • Innovative Technologies, Innovative Diplomacy

    Posted by David Sandalow on April 29, 2012 at 8:32 AM EDT

    I’m on my way back from London where we’ve just wrapped-up the third Clean Energy Ministerial. This innovative forum brings public and private sector leaders from around the world together to accelerate the transition to clean energy technologies. 

    This year’s meeting was especially exciting. U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron attended one of our sessions and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon participated in another by phone. Secretary Chu spoke about the huge opportunities in cutting energy waste and the Super-efficient Equipment and Appliance Deployment (SEAD) initiative, which (no kidding) could save consumers more than $1 trillion over the next two decades. Dozens of public and private sector leaders shared lessons learned and proposals for next steps in promoting energy efficiency, clean energy and sustainable energy for all.

    Most important, we announced major new steps forward. The United Kingdom pledged more than $100 million to promote carbon capture, use and storage in the developing world.   Denmark, Germany and Spain announced a global renewable energy atlas  -- an important new on-line resource for governments or companies working to bring solar, wind and other renewable energy sources to market. The United States and Italy announced the launch of Lighting India, which will bring modern lighting services to two million people by the end of 2015. The United States announced a new program to support women working in clean energy – the Clean Energy Education & Empowerment initiative.

    The first Clean Energy Ministerial was hosted by Secretary Chu in Washington in summer 2010, growing out of a Major Economies Forum Leaders meeting the year before. The second Clean Energy Ministerial was held in Abu Dhabi in spring 2011. As this week’s London meetings made clear, countries working together under the Clean Energy Ministerial have accomplished a lot in a short time.   

    Yet we’ve only begun to tap the potential. Our initiatives are gaining steam. The fourth Clean Energy Ministerial will be held in India in 2013 and the fifth in Korea in 2014. In the months and years ahead, this innovative global forum can help speed the transition to clean energy technologies in the United States and around the world. 

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  • National Bioeconomy Blueprint Released

    Posted by Mary Maxon and Elizabeth Robinson on April 26, 2012 at 8:22 AM EDT

    Today, the Obama Administration announced its commitment to strengthening bioscience research as a major driver of American innovation and economic growth.  The National Bioeconomy Blueprint outlines steps that agencies will take to drive the bioeconomy—economic activity powered by research and innovation in the biosciences—and details ongoing efforts across the Federal government to realize this goal.

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  • Restoring the Past, Preapring for the Future: Recovery after Natural Disaster

    Posted by Jackie Cole on April 25, 2012 at 12:53 PM EDT

    Jackie Cole is being recognized as a Champion of Change for her innovative energy priorities and sustainable living practices making a greener community a possibility in any American city or town.

    Hurricane Ike made landfall at Galveston Island September 13, 2008,  flooding 75 percent of the buildings and killing an estimated 40,000 trees, about 50 percent of our total urban canopy. The majority died from salt water poisoning. A small group of volunteers worked through the shock of the disaster to guide the selection of trees for removal,  responsible disposal of dead wood and replanting.  

    When so many trees are lost in a disaster, it becomes clear that trees are as critical as any of our other infrastructure.  They can no longer be considered landscaping or beautification but as critical to urban living. 

    After the initial cleanup, the community and FEMA waited until spring to evaluate the health of the trees. It was evident that the majority of the trees had died.  

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  • Rivers are the Link from Our Past to Or Future

    Posted by Jeff Shoemaker on April 25, 2012 at 12:40 PM EDT

    Jeff Shoemaker is being recognized as a Champion of Change for his innovative energy priorities and sustainable living practices making a greener community a possibility in any American city or town.

    The Greenway Foundation originated in 1974 as the Platte River Development Committee, formed after Denver’s massively destructive flood of the South Platte River in 1965. The Greenway Foundation initiated more than just flood control and waste cleanup – the Foundation accomplished the resurrection of the South Platte River and its surrounding area from a virtual cesspool to a place of environmental and recreational pride for the citizens of Denver. Since 1974, the Greenway Foundation has partnered with the City and County of Denver to create 20+ riverside parks, numerous whitewater boat chutes, and a nationally recognized urban trail system, collectively known as the South Platte River Greenway. In addition, The Foundation provides environmental education to Denver Public Schools elementary students and mentors diverse, underserved high school students while employing them as environmental educators and doing habitat restoration on the river.

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