As we reflect on the environmental leadership of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29, 2022, at the age of 100, one aspect of his presidency stands out: his pioneering efforts to address climate change and environmental degradation long before it became a global priority. Carter’s vision for a sustainable future, with a strong emphasis on renewable energy, conservation, and reducing carbon emissions, was decades ahead of its time. In fact, Carter’s bold climate action initiatives, including his 1979 “malaise” speech and the policies he enacted, laid the groundwork for many of the climate solutions we are striving to implement today.
A Green Campaign and a Green Presidency
When Jimmy Carter ran for president in 1976, he made an unconventional choice in his campaign branding. Instead of the typical red, white, and blue, he chose green—a color that symbolized his commitment to environmental preservation and his personal affinity for nature. His focus on the environment was more than just a political stance; it reflected his deep-rooted beliefs as a man who had grown up in rural Georgia, with a strong respect for the land, wildlife, and natural resources. Green was everywhere during Carter’s campaign: on buttons, bumper stickers, brochures, and even the decorations at his hometown Election Night party.
Nearly 50 years later, Carter’s environmental legacy is seen as a touchstone for today’s climate advocates. Despite political shifts, the scientific consensus has largely come around to Carter’s early warnings about climate change and the need for decisive action.
Ahead of His Time: Fighting Climate Change in the 1970s
While climate change was not yet part of the American political discourse in the late 1970s, President Carter recognized the emerging global threat of rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. In fact, he and his administration were some of the earliest to publicly address the issue. In the months leading up to his departure from office in 1981, Carter’s team released a groundbreaking report linking fossil fuels to the increasing levels of carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere. This report called for immediate actions to curb emissions—a message that was largely ignored at the time.
At a time when few world leaders were even discussing the connection between fossil fuels and climate change, Carter’s administration was pushing for measures to reduce emissions and protect the environment. In 1979, Carter introduced energy conservation measures and launched the Department of Energy, which spearheaded renewable energy research. One of his boldest goals was to reduce the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels, setting a target of 20% renewable energy use by the year 2000.
However, Carter’s efforts faced significant political opposition, particularly after his 1980 defeat to Ronald Reagan. Reagan’s administration quickly rolled back many of Carter’s energy initiatives, including dismantling the solar panels Carter had installed on the White House roof. Reagan also opposed energy efficiency standards, which Carter had championed.
The Tragic What-If: Climate Action Could Have Begun in the 1980s
As Carter’s biographer Jonathan Alter reflects, if Carter had been reelected in 1980, the U.S. might have begun taking significant action on climate change in the early 1980s—decades before it became a focal point of global politics. Alter noted that Carter’s commitment to curbing carbon emissions through energy conservation was far ahead of the scientific consensus at the time. Thirty-five years later, the Paris Agreement of 2015 set the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 2°C above pre-industrial levels—a target that mirrors one of Carter’s earliest policy recommendations.
Despite the setback of his defeat, Carter’s foresight has continued to resonate. Today, leaders like Al Gore, whose climate advocacy earned him a Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, regard Carter as a lifelong role model. Gore has praised Carter for his early and consistent environmental leadership.
Energy Independence vs. Environmental Stewardship
Carter’s administration prioritized energy independence as a means to reduce reliance on foreign oil and safeguard national security. However, his policies also inadvertently benefited the fossil fuel industry. The construction of new coal-fired power plants, deregulation of natural gas production, and push for offshore drilling were all part of Carter’s drive for energy independence. In hindsight, some of these measures have been critiqued for contributing to long-term environmental damage.
Despite these challenges, Carter’s focus on research and development of renewable energy set the stage for future advancements in the field. He provided a national framework for addressing energy and environmental issues, which laid the foundation for the clean energy revolution that would unfold in the decades that followed.
Carter’s Moral Vision: A Call to Conserve and PreserveCarter’s approach to climate change was not just about policy; it was deeply moral. He often spoke of the environment in spiritual terms, seeing himself as a custodian of nature’s resources. This perspective was influenced by his faith and the rural upbringing that shaped his views on conservation. “Human identity is no longer defined by what one does, but by what one owns,” Carter famously said in his 1979 speech on energy conservation.
In what became known as his “malaise” speech, Carter urged Americans to embrace personal sacrifice and accept the moral responsibility of preserving the planet for future generations. His appeal to curb consumption, embrace energy efficiency, and shift away from a culture of excessive consumerism was ahead of its time—and arguably more relevant today than ever.
A Lasting Legacy: Climate Leadership Beyond Carter’s Presidency
Though Carter was not able to implement all of his bold environmental plans, his presidency marked the beginning of serious national conversations about energy conservation and climate change. His efforts laid the groundwork for future generations of environmental advocates who would continue the fight against climate change.
As the U.S. and the world move toward more aggressive climate goals, including those set forth in the Paris Agreement, it’s clear that the issues Carter raised back in the late 1970s and early 1980s are not only still relevant but critical to our future survival. Washington Governor Jay Inslee, a champion for climate action, stated, “You can say the Carter presidency is still producing results today,” underscoring the enduring relevance of Carter’s environmental vision.
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