Environmental groups are pushing solar energy at the White House and The Big House.

As activists drove a solar panel to the White House Wednesday, the Natural Resources Defense Council held a conference call to promote the technology at sports stadiums.

"Businesses don't have to wait for government to address our concerns about climate change," Allen Hershkowitz of the Natural Resources Defense Council said.

He was followed by representatives of football, hockey, basketball, and baseball teams. Seven U.S. arenas have installed solar panels so far.

The commissioner of the National Hockey League participated in the event, announcing that more arenas are showing interest in what could be a cost-cutting technology. The NHL also disseminated recyclable bags at the Stanley Cup final.

Such incremental steps can have a big impact considering the size of sports leagues, the National Basketball Association's Kathy Behrens said.

"In the sports world, our footprint is pretty large," she said.

As an advocacy group, NRDC benefits in several ways from the sports alliances.

The nonpartisan space allows the group to reach conservatives not traditionally affiliated with the environmental movement. It also helps them reach millions of sports fans who might not be politically involved.

-- Ambreen Ali, Congress.org