The Inauguration: Best Foot Forward

If you need any further evidence that President Obama will usher in a new era of environmental consciousness besides his stirring words about climate change and harnessing the power of the sun, look no further than the invitations to his inaugural. One million of them were printed on recycled paper and mailed in recycled paper envelopes certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The FSC, which promotes the gold standards for guiding forest management in a sustainable manner, is the only such system endorsed by the world’s leading environmental advocacy groups, such as the World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and the National Wildlife Federation.

As a casual collector of political paraphernalia, I’ll keep the invitation and envelope I received in the mail because it carries extra meaning, even more than a colorful button.