My Convention is Greener Than Yours
The Republicans and Democrats will not only be battling it out in the presidential elections this fall, but they are battling it out over who can hold the “greenest” (or is it the most greenwashed) national convention in late summer. From recycled fiber carpet to biodegradable plates, each political party is trying to outdo the other with its eco-friendly and “sustainable” conventions.
The Democratic National Convention will be held in Denver, Colorado in August 2008. The party states:
The DNCC has a tremendous opportunity to educate the public and Convention attendees on making individual life choices that are environmentally sustainable. We intend to lead by example in this effort, with organizers applying green planning principles to every decision made in the lead-up to Convention week.
The Democrats will be offsetting the carbon created by the convention, using B20 biodiesel in all their generators, purchasing renewable energy certificates, using sustainable materials, and planning local river clean-ups and tree planting projects in the area.
The 2008 Republican National Convention will take place in Minneapolis-St. Paul. “Recycled furnishings” and office supplies are being used at headquarters, and energy efficient lighting will be used in the convention. Bicycles are being provided for those participants who choose to ride from the hotel to the convention hall. It’s ironic that some Republicans refute the evidence on climate change, yet the party feels the need to hold a green convention. The GOP Convention Committee on Arrangements stated that:
The [committee] established very early that we want to host as environmentally friendly a convention as possible. Republicans, like all Americans, support responsible stewardship of the land.
I wish I wasn’t such a cynic and could praise both parties for their greening efforts, but I can’t. They should be doing more besides greening their conventions. What about their policies and decisions? What about Kyoto? What about mileage standards?
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