Just earlier this month, President Obama signed an Executive Order on Federal Sustainability which challenges agencies to lead by example in energy and environmental performance. The agencies now have 90 days to set their 2020 goals for greenhouse gas emissions reduction. Since the Federal Government is the largest consumer of energy in the country, this seems like a pretty good place to start. Although this is a mandate for the agencies, the White House is also looking to engage Federal employees by initiating the GreenGov Challenge, a website where they can share their ideas, and vote on others for how the Government can become greener.

This is all part of the President’s “lead by example” initiative by not just issuing orders for the Federal agencies, but also including the people who make up the agencies, and tapping into the vast resource of their knowledge. The top ideas will go to the Steering Committee on Federal Sustainability, which includes representatives from all agencies. And this seems to be catching on. For example, the Federal Agencies in the Western United States – Leading by Example site is a voluntary, collaborative group which has formed on its own to further green Government and Federal Sustainability. The Army has even created a site, Sustainapedia which includes the GreenGov Challenge. Its main focus is on “how Web 2.0 can be used to help enable a culture of sustainability in the Army.” It can only become contagious.

The President is sending a very clear message that going green to save our planet is everyone’s responsibility, and that the Federal Government needs to lead by example. By starting with the Federal agencies first through the executive order on October 5^th, then engaging the people of the Government, the 1.8 million employees, he has set a tone for us all to follow. So what have you done today to be greener? Don’t just think about yourself. Find something green to do for your home, work, neighborhood, city/town, or for your Government. And if you are a Federal Government employee, I encourage you (as does the President) to take the GreenGov Challenge (through Oct. 31^st)!