During America's energy crisis in the 1970s, Jimmy Carter promised to increase America’s energy independence while reducing its environmental impact. In his four years as president, Jimmy Carter passed landmark laws and changed the country's energy use.
Those changes included the creation of the Department of Energy and the National Energy Act, which reduced oil imports and promoted renewable energy sources. He also deregulated both the trucking industry and the airline industry, and appointed record numbers women and blacks into government positions.
As gas prices soared, the energy crisis put a spotlight onto America's reliance upon foreign oil. Many Americans stood in long queues at gas stations. These events, say experts, set the stage for Carter to push for energy efficiency improvements and increased use of alternate energy.
It was a windmill that first started him thinking about green energy when he was growing up on a small farm in Plains, Ga. A small generator in the backyard was an inventive solution that enabled the family to have running water. Today, the site is a part a national historical park.
He had a passion for the environment and the importance of preserving it, according to volunteer Dorner Carmichael, who worked at the Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm. She added that "he was the person who really pushed the conservation and environmental movement that he's famous for," adding that it was "a very important part" of his life.
Around 1924, his family moved from the city into a small farming town in Plains. It was a place that valued education, community service and a strong Baptist faith.
Carter's dad, Earl Carter, grew peanuts and cotton on his farm. He also grew corn, cane sugar, and a lot of cotton. He had a country shop/commissary where he sold kerosene to farmers, cans of goods, and overalls.
The Carters also built a large creek and pond that were used for canoeing and fishing, which is a popular activity in the area. The Carters planted a lot of pecan trees and stored their things in an old shed.
Carter brought in the Clean Air Act for smog regulation during his tenure as president. In 1979, he installed 32 solar panels on the roof of the White House to demonstrate his support for renewable energies and to promote cleaner, greener economies. The panels remained in place until 1986, when President Ronald Reagan had them removed.
He was a politician who was able to change the energy landscape in a very short period of time, and he has left his mark on the world. He is the perfect role model for anyone wanting to move towards an environmentally-friendly future. His legacy continues to resonate with his work for Habitat for Humanity.