Living Green

For someone who doesn't consider himself an environmentalist, Sen. Marc Basnight is passionately, if quietly, leading an environmental revolution throughout North Carolina.

But leadership is something Basnight knows all too well, serving as a state senator for District 1 since 1984, and eight, two-year terms as president pro tempore since 1993.

Justin Falls/Daily Advance (ENLARGE)

North Carolina state Sen. Marc Basnight, D-Dare, explains how grease is separated from wastewater in the pipes running underneath his restaurant, Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe, on the Nags Head-Manteo Causeway in Nags Head, Wednesday.

This small-town forward-thinker from Manteo, with only a high school education, has arguably become one of the most powerful politicians in the state. And he's now using his formidable influence to help slow down global warming.

Basnight directs much of his environmental effort through the N.C. Division of Waste Management and Clean Water Management.

According to Basnight, his fervency for green thinking was born of pragmatism, pure and simple.

"It was a series of things that gradually changed my mind (about the environment)," Basnight said. "If you can convince me otherwise, I'm prepared to listen."

Can man have an impact on global warming? Basnight would argue that he can.

Yet, years ago, the senator held strong disbeliefs that man could have any affect on slowing down the warming of the earth, he said. Now, he is an ardent eco-optimist, practicing as many Earth-friendly strategies in his personal life as he does at the office.

Last October, Basnight's conservation ideas were enacted in the Raleigh General Assembly Complex.

Inside the legislative buildings, approximately 2,700 incandescent light bulbs were replaced with lower wattage fluorescent bulbs. Low-flow toilets and locally made recycled paper towels were added to restrooms.

Occupancy sensor lights were installed in restrooms and in other feasible office locations, and a sophisticated recycling program was put in place, reusing everything from office paper, to edible lunch leftovers.

Exterior advancements to the legislative complex included installation of solar paneling for hot water heating and water collection systems to assist with water conservation in Raleigh.

A 54,000-gallon cistern was installed, which collects rainwater, providing an alternate source of watering for the building's lawn and shrubs.

Basnight's insistence on a greener world is just as strong away from Raleigh.

In his restaurant, the Lone Cedar Café in Nags Head, environment-friendly options are always on the menu.

In addition to using fluorescent lighting and recycled paper materials, Basnight installed cisterns to collect rainwater, which are then used for watering the restaurant's herb garden.

To help reduce energy and fuel, the restaurant purchases all of the seafood from local fisheries.

Also, in Camden County, the senator is attempting to design and construct an eco-park with the University of North Carolina, which is still in research and development.

And Basnight is leading a research study with the University of North Carolina to study advanced energy technology. The feasibility study will include an analysis of the energy potential of placing wind turbines in the Albemarle and Pamlico Sound. Results of the study will be available in July of 2009.

At home, somewhat out of the public spotlight, he maintains a green frame of mind. Basnight's knowledge of the effects of plastics on global warming has even changed the way he grocery shops, taking reusable tote bags into the local Harris Teeter.

The impact of plastics is an issue the senator is looking at closely these days. The Division of Waste Management and the University of North Carolina's Department of Environmental and Natural Resources will move forward with research that will study the impact, current state usage and recycling of plastic bottles and bags.

"My position (about the environment) comes about because I'm selfish, I want to live on the Outer Banks for many more years," he said. "I know that plastic bags require energy, which then produce carbon, which have an impact on greenhouse gasses, which make the Outer Banks go away."

Basnight continues to research man's hand in the Earth's warming, continually requesting updates on rising waters from multiple university scientists.

"I want to know is the Elizabeth City waterfront going to be there in 50 years from now," he said. "Will the Outer Banks be in tact in 25 years?"

Basnight is hopeful his efforts will influence future generations to become actively invested in preserving coastal Carolina.

"(The next generation) will have to do it themselves, or they'll wake up in a great sense of urgency," Basnight said.

With deep rooted ties to North Carolina, Basnight does not envision taking his green revolution nationwide.

"I'm just not that influential," he said with a chuckle.