Who were the most environmentally conscious Presidents? If you know anything about Presidential History, then Teddy Roosevelet is an easy pick for number 1.  A group called Corporate Knights asked 12 leading environmental groups who they thought were the greenest POTUS’.   Corporate Knights is a media and financial services company which promotes “clean capitalism” according the to the New York Times. 

Teddy was the overwhelming winner among the environmental groups polled which include Greenpeace, The Nature Conservancy and the Sierra Club.  Theodore Roosevelt, our 26th President, set aside wildlife preserves and held the National Parks in high regard.    He was also an explorer, a Rough Rider, who loved the outdoors.  I remember hearing of his expeditions to Africa while in the 8th Grade.  He loved nature and fought to preserve it.

Okay, Teddy #1, but who would be #2? I had no idea….”he’s not a crook”, but he was a staunch environmentalist.  His efforts brought about the Environmental Protection Agency and he signed the Clean Air Act.

Number 3 was Jimmy Carter for his efforts for Americans to reduce their fuel consumption and electricity usage….THAT worked out well!

Number 4 is Barack Obama who has worked vigorously to reduce pollution from cars….although he has met many obstacles in Washington.

The rest of the list include #5 Thomas Jefferson, #6 Gerald Ford, #7 FDR and # 8 Bill Clinton.

You can read the entire study here at the Corporate Knights website.

-T.J. Del Santo