April 22, 2008

DENVER - In a special Earth Day edition op-ed for The Hill newspaper today, Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) CEO Leah D. Daughtry outlined the steps Convention organizers are taking to make the 2008 Democratic National Convention the most environmentally-sustainable event of its kind.

Op-Ed: Earth's Stewards
The Hill
By Leah D. Daughtry, DNCC CEO
April 22, 2008

"Going green is not a political issue; it's a moral issue. The environmental challenges we face - and how we choose to address them - is arguably one of the greatest moral tests of our time. Whether we pass or fail will impact the lives and quality of life for generations to come…

"For me, greening is about stewardship. Regardless of whether you believe in climate change, don't believe or aren't sure, we all must recognize the beauty and sanctity of the world God created for us.

"Such a precious gift is reason enough to make every effort to preserve it.

"As CEO of the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC), my goal is to make sure we practice what we preach. This year's Convention will be the most environmentally-sustainable Democratic Convention in history. We're not just focused on the four-day event, as we've done in the past. We've raised the bar and are taking steps to design waste out of the Convention by applying sustainable planning principles to every decision we make - before, during and after the Convention.

"The process of greening the Convention has been a learning experience for us, and we want others to benefit. With all the attention the Democratic primary race and our Convention are receiving, we're making the most of this time in the spotlight to lead by example and to educate folks on simple ways to reduce their impact on the environment...

"The legacy of environmental sustainability of the 2008 Democratic National Convention - at future events in Denver, at subsequent Democratic Conventions, and for large-scale events everywhere, political or otherwise - will pay dividends for years and generations to come. We think the end result is well worth the extra effort."

For the full article, click here.