I think I should spend more time standing in or in front of fields of solar panels:
I think it would make me more optimistic.
Preferred scenery
Skip to content
climate change policy, science, and activism; photography; cartography and mapmaking
These are inspiring photos.
Though these photos (and these) are arguably the same sort of crude visual propaganda once directed at people who liked seeing George Bush clear brush. To those who don’t buy into the aesthetic, these may look equally absurd.
Is it possible that the people now who can’t understand why anyone would think Obama is a Muslim are akin to people who once couldn’t understand why anyone would think Bush was stupid?
Perhaps each of those was a slander that was convincing to hardcore opponents, but which looked a bit silly to everyone else.
Can anyone find a photo of George W. Bush in front of solar panels? There certainly seem to be fewer online.
In a less cynical analysis, perhaps these photos are evidence that Obama really does understand the importance of renewable energy, and is doing what he can through less obvious channels to help drive it forward.
Environmentalists focus on the giant Congressional battle over carbon pricing, but lots of other policies and regulations are being more quietly updated.
One of the President’s abilities to influence is through where he chooses to be as naturally he will be photographed there. Being among a filed of solar panels seems to promote solar energy. I welcome Obama promoting solar energy and other renewable forms of energy in that fashion.
This doesn’t represent too many photo ops.
Photos #1, #5, and #6 are all in the same place, probably at the same time.
Same goes for #3 and #4.
I also find these photos uplifting. Role models are necessary for a position change, even if these photos are only symbolic.