From land preservation to energy conservation, with the exception of preventing. This is the greatest challenge that our country will face during our lifetime. Former President Jimmy Carter leaves behind *** lasting legacy on the fight against climate change. I think President Jimmy Carter launched us on an extraordinarily important conservation history. One of the former president’s major accomplishments, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. No legislation. And no president has ever worked to protect more land with *** single piece of legislation than aa. This act preserved more than 100 million acres of land in the state by designating them as national parks or national wildlife refuges. These are not only critical. To protecting us from the impacts of climate change, but that they are important economic drivers. His work didn’t stop in Alaska though. President Carter also protected more than *** dozen rivers across the country in the wild and scenic river system. There were probably well over *** dozen rivers that he vetoed proposed. From the Corps of Engineers to dam them up and I know 25 while in scenic rivers up in Alaska that he protected. His legacy can also be seen in and around the White House. He was the first president to install solar panels on the roof, and he created the Department of Energy. He put in place *** program with the Department of Energy to invest in technologies, and if we had gone pedal to the metal. With succeedings, I think we would be 10 to 15 years ahead of where we are now. He also urged Americans to conserve their energy, even giving *** fireside speech, wearing *** sweater to encourage people to turn their thermostats down at night, plus endorsing *** national 55 mile per hour speed limit. Some of these efforts will also require dedication. Perhaps even some sacrifice from you. He might have overdone it *** little bit. Rosin at the time certainly complained because he set the thermostat so low, people were having to wear sweaters and overcoats around the White House, but his legacy didn’t come without criticism. He preached conservation, but he Pushed that so far that there was kind of *** backlash to it, but some argue that his efforts should serve as an example of how to lead the fight against climate change today. His conservation legacy is unparalleled, and we are the beneficiaries for it. Reporting in Washington, I’m Jackie DeFusco.Jimmy Carter’s enduring environmental legacyFormer President Jimmy Carter’s environmental efforts, including landmark legislation and energy conservation initiatives, continue to impact the fight against climate change.
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Updated: 4:38 PM CST Dec 30, 2024
Marissa Mizroch
Producer
Jackie DeFusco
Washington Correspondent
Former President Jimmy Carter dedicated much of h