Obama's White House To Get Solar Energy

October 5th 2010

Obama's White House To Get Solar Energy

Announcement Precedes World's Most Widespread Political Demonstration Ever, Calling For Action On Climate

The most famous seat of power in the world, the White House, is going solar.

Barack Obama's Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, today announced that by early 2011 solar panels on the presidential mansion will be generating hot water and electricity. "President Obama has a strong commitment to American leadership in solar technologies and the jobs they will create." he said.

"As we move toward a clean energy economy, the White House will lead by example." Chu added that "Around the world, the White House is a symbol of freedom and democracy. It should also be a symbol of America’s commitment to a clean energy future."

On September 10th activists from 350.org, a global climate action campaign, travelled to the White House with a solar panel originally installed there in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter -- later removed by President Ronald Reagan -- to ask Obama to return solar power to the roof of his residence.

Although the activists were greeted with a non-committal response by White House staff, today's announcement comes just before 350.org is to co-ordinate the world's most widespread political demonstration in history in support of action on climate change.

On Sunday October 10th people all over the world will be joining the 10/10/10 Global Work Party to pressure their leaders to act on climate change. Over 7 000 communities in over 180 countries, including most countries in Africa, will taking action to reduce their climate impacts by planting trees, building cycle paths, and promoting renewable energy. This will make it the most widespread demonstration in history for any cause.

Tomorrow, October 6th, President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives will be installing solar electricity-generating panels on that country's presidential residence to promote the Global Work Party. The low lying island nation is threatened by rising sea levels triggered by climate change, and President Nasheed has committed his nation to becoming 100% carbon neutral.

African events planned for 10/10/10 include a climate boxing tournament and tree planting in Nairobi, Kenya, solar hot water heaters for Nelson Mandela's old prison island near Cape Town, South Africa, and an nationwide climate campaign on Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. There are about 200 events planned across Africa.

"Africa will be more affected by climate change than any other continent. We must encourage our political leaders to act by leading the way" said Landry Ninteretse, a 350.org activist in Burundi. "If we can get to work on October 10th to make our communities greener, they can get to work on a strong, enforceable plan to combat climate change. Anyone can visit our website,www.350.org, to register a new event or find out about 10/10/10 events near them."ENDS

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Notes for media: 350.org is a growing international climate campaign which last year, on October 24th, co-ordinated what CNN called 'the most widespread political demonstration ever" with 5 200 events in 181 countries. For more information please go to www.350.org and www.350.org/media. Contacts listed at the head of this press release are available for media interview.

For more information on the campaign to get solar power on the White House, please visit www.putsolaron.it

Video of Steven Chu's announcement is viewable at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCDwffQcMdo

By: Adam Welz / Africa Media (English) 350.org /New York, USA / email: adam@350.org

CONTACT: Samantha Bailey (Cape Town, South Africa) +27 79 744 0525 samantha@350.org

Winnie Asiti (Nairobi, Kenya) +254 722 938 254 winnie@350.org

Adam Welz (New York, USA) +1 631 882 2306, Skype: adamwelz, adam@350.org