Scientists predict that if major environmental and sustainable changes are not made by the end of the next decade, there will be irreversible damage to our planet.
Fortunately, 1,200 people who can help make these changes —including U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack —were on GW’s campus Oct. 5-7 for the GreenGov Symposium, which brought together a broad group of sustainability leaders to identify opportunities around greening the federal government.
Hosted by GW and the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), the symposium targeted a wide range of sustainability topics, including clean energy, water efficiency, climate and adaptation, sustainable buildings and greening the supply chain. It took place in conjunction with the one-year anniversary of the signing of the Executive Order on Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance by President Barack Obama, which sets sustainability goals for federal agencies and focuses on making improvements in their environmental, energy and economic performance.
At the opening ceremony in GW’s Lisner Auditorium Oct. 5, Secretary Chu announced that solar panels and a solar hot water heater will be on the roof of the White House by the end of the spring. These two solar installations will be part of a U.S. Department of Energy demonstration project showing that American solar technologies are available, reliable and ready for installation in homes throughout the country.
“This project reflects President Obama’s strong commitment to U.S. leadership in solar energy and the jobs it will create here at home,” said Secretary Chu. “Deploying solar energy technologies across the country will help America lead the global economy for years to come.”
“President Obama has said the federal government has to lead by example in creating opportunity and jobs in clean energy,” said Ms. Sutley. “By installing solar panels on arguably the most famous house in the country, his residence, the president is underscoring that commitment to lead and the promise and importance of renewable energy in the United States.”
In his remarks at the opening ceremony, GW President Steven Knapp said he expected the symposium to “shape and inspire” a national response to President Obama’s call.
“Our core mission at George Washington is to educate citizen leaders of the world. We enjoy the advantage of being able to engage the world from this nation’s capital, and one of the ways we do that is by convening discussions on one of the most important issues of our time,” said Dr. Knapp. “With our partnership with the White House Council on Environmental Quality, we’re exploring President Obama’s charge to the federal government to lead by example in our quest for a clean energy economy and a sustainable future.”
In a keynote address, biomimicry expert and author Janine Benyus spoke about how the field of biomimcry— which seeks sustainable solutions to problems by emulating natural processes in nature— can provide answers to everything from storing vaccines to saving plane fuel.
On Oct. 6, Planet Forward, a multimedia project housed at GW, hosted an interactive discussion and video screening featuring some of the best innovations to come from the GreenGov challenge, which solicited ideas from federal employees and agencies about how to cut costs and save energy.
Planet Forward host and GW’s School of Media and Public Affairs Director Frank Sesno also announced a partnership with PBS’ “Nightly Business Report” (NBR) to present a series of monthly video productions focusing on innovations that can help tackle energy and climate challenges. The series, which premieres Oct. 21, will air on NBR and feature ideas submitted to Planet Forward’s collaborative public affairs website.
“At the GreenGov Symposium, GW leaders, students, faculty and staff spent three days amongst the country’s public sector managers and leaders at the federal level,” said Meghan Chapple-Brown, director of GW’s Office of Sustainability. “Attendees gained new partners, tools, and inspiration that will surely have a positive impact on the sustainability of America and the future of our planet.”