Pollan’s Advice to Obama: Turn White House Lawn Into an Organic Farm

Jennifer Lance — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:45:55 +0000

The last time there was an energy crisis in the United States, President Carter installed solar panels to power the White House. Republican president Ronald Reagan promptly removed the panels when taking office.

President-Elect Obama faces not only an energy and economic crisis, but also the potential catastrophe of climate change. One aspect of the current crises often overlooked by politicians is food policy.

Michael Pollan explained at the Bioneers conference:

Energy. The total economy depends on cheap energy, not to mention peace and no threat from terrorism, in order to move goods from point of cheapest production to point of highest purchase. We will not reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy or confront the issue of climate change without dealing with the industrial food system, which consumes 17 percent of our fossil fuel.

Obama needs to address the industrial, transcontinental food system, as it is connected to the economic, climate, and energy crises facing the world. What better way for the president to participate in the local food revolution then turning five acres of the White House Lawn into an organic farm?

Green Options » garden at the white house

Pollan’s Advice to Obama: Turn White House Lawn Into an Organic Farm

President-Elect Obama faces not only an energy and economic crisis, but also the potential catastrophe of climate change. One aspect of the current crises often overlooked by politicians is food policy.