If that happens, the new first family would be joining a revolution that started in 1979, with Jimmy Carter, and continued with President Clinton, but environmentalists are hoping that the Obamas could make greening the White House even more meaningful—by taking steps that reflect their willingness to change their lifestyle as
well as the building itself.

Here are some suggested changes...

1. Secure LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for the White House: This standard in the US offers meaningful guidelines to help buildings and, increasingly, homes reduce the amount of energy they consume.

2. Change all lighting fixtures to LED lights: Many bulbs in the White House have already been replaced with compact fluorescents. But LEDs save even more energy, and because they contain no mercury, pose no health concerns to consumers.


3. Maximize energy efficiency: Plug computers and other office equipment into power strips that turn on and off automatically. Install light sensors in offices to do the same thing. Use programmable thermostats to turn the heat down in the evening and up (but just to 68 degrees in winter) during the day.

4. Make cleaning green, too: Choose cleansers that are free of phthalates (synthetic fragrances), antibacterial agents, phosphates (especially for dishwashers) and other toxic ingredients.

5. Go organic: Favour organic towels, bedding, and fabric for the reupholstering that will go on as the Obamas update the decor.

6. Use VOC-free paints: Use paints free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are known to contribute to respiratory illness, headaches and air pollution.

7. Institute a no bottled water policy: Every member of the first family, and all cabinet members should regularly use their own BPA-free reusable water bottles.

8. Adopt a green diet: Eat less meat, and serve organic, locally-grown food—for the White House mess and state dinners as well as the residence. Gehman Kohan, a food writer and blogger based in Los Angeles, launched Obamafoodorama on election night as a "daily diary of the Obama foodscape, one byte at a time". Obamafoodorama promises to be everything and anything that makes any agricultural, comestible, edible and gastronomical connection with the first family.

9. Reduce water use: Retrofit faucets, showerheads, and toilets to use water as efficiently as possible.

10. Whatever they buy, choose certified products and services: The Obamas can show Americans how to avoid "greenwashing" by buying products whose environmental claims meet independent third-party standards.

While the world is focused westwards, it would do us good to turn the searchlight on home ground and check out our very own presidential quarters: The Rashtrapati Bhavan. Here is what was reported earlier last year: In an endeavour to make President's estate eco-friendly, the Rashtrapati Bhavan is being transformed into a green, energy efficient and plastic-free model township. The initial stage will include segregation of solid and wet wastes, rainwater harvesting and ban on usage of plastic bags.

In due course, increase in the green cover in the estate, energy audit and conservation and replacement of LPG gas by eco-friendly CNG piped gas will be done. Biodegradable waste would also be composted in the President's estate itself and the organic manure generated will be used in the estate's gardens. The aim is to convert the waste generated in the President's gardens into vermi-compost. Solar panels are already a part of the Complex. By these accounts we are not doing badly ourselves.