ATLANTA — President Barack Obama was the keynote speaker for Greenbuild, the world’s largest conference focused on environmentally conscious building.
Thousands of people began waiting in line at 6 a.m. Wednesday morning to hear the former Commander in Chief speak at the Georgia World Congress Center.
He spoke about climate change, environmental policies and America’s political climate in a free-ranging conversation with Mahesh Ramanujam, the president and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council.
“Building that culture of integrity. And that includes operating with integrity and not being remotely close to the line,” said former President Obama when asked what he felt was the most important thing when it came to running The White House.
Obama was not asked any direct questions about the impeachment hearings happening on Capitol Hill or President Trump. Instead, he answered questions about how he built a strong Cabinet and support staff during his two terms as president.
“Diversity. The goal is to have a set of different people around the table who can bring different sets of views.”
He also said it was just as important to hire staff members who would tell you if you’re doing something wrong.
“Unlike most organizations, poop rolls uphill in The White House,” Obama said, referencing that the Commander in Chief of America is ultimately responsible for his staff’s actions.
“I think facts are important. Obviously, that’s contested right now,” the former President said with a chuckle.
When asked what he missed most about being President, Obama said he missed the work because it was fascinating.
“Occasionally, you miss Air Force One. That plane’s got a shower! It’s nice,” he said before transitioning to the focus of the conference: climate change and sustainability.
“Climate change is one of those things where you can be too late and it becomes irreversible,” said President Obama.
The Greenbuild conference organizers said they tried seven years to get him as keynote speaker. They see him as a global leader in climate change legislation.
Climate actions during Obama’s presidency
- Paris Climate Accord: agreement between world leaders to cut greenhouse gas emissions
- Clean Power Plan
- EPA tackled truck emissions, methane leaks in oil, gas industry
- Established 23 national monuments
President Trump has told the United Nations that it will withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement on climate change. America is the only country to pull out of the pact. China, India, Japan and Europe are still part of the plan.
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“How do we create a globalized, capitalist economy that provides everyone opportunity but doesn’t create huge gaps in wealth and education.”
Obama said the key to lasting climate change was to provide environmental consciousness with affordability. He said our "bigger is better" lifestyle in America is one reason our carbon footprint is so large.
“How much is enough?”
Obama said he learned a lot from his two daughters, who are now both in college.
“This is going to be a movement that comes from the bottom up. Not the bottom down,” he said, referencing Millennial's and Generation Z’s impact on climate change urgency. “A grassroots movement, particularly of young people, is going to be the driver.”
He said the key was to align our society’s core ideas with our actions.
“If we do, I’m optimistic that we can solve these problems we’ve created for ourselves.”
Obama appeared in Atlanta the same day as 10 Democratic candidates debate at Tyler Perry Studios at Fort McPherson.
Tyler Perry Studios hosts the Democratic debate in Atlanta
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