Lay Off, People
Today's lead story in Nashville's bastion of irrelevant journalism, The Tennessean, details Al Gore's electric bill.
Riveting, I know.
The article takes the angle that the Gores spend over $1,000 a month on electricity. The article claims that this is too much for a man who has become the head cheerleader for the environmental movement.
While the article points out several fact about the Gores' power usage, it doesn't draw the right conclusion: that anything any of us do to offset our carbon footprint is a positive step. Here's what should be gleaned from the article:
But the point is that everyone should do what little things they can to make a difference where they are. We can't all buy hybrids and windmills; but we all can recycle our coke cans and newspapers, and carpool and turn off lights.
Baby steps, people.
Riveting, I know.
The article takes the angle that the Gores spend over $1,000 a month on electricity. The article claims that this is too much for a man who has become the head cheerleader for the environmental movement.
While the article points out several fact about the Gores' power usage, it doesn't draw the right conclusion: that anything any of us do to offset our carbon footprint is a positive step. Here's what should be gleaned from the article:
- The Gores spend nearly 40% of their monthly bill on green power. Most people spend far below that percentage.
- While the Gores do use a LOT of power, they are taking more and more steps to offset their consumption, such as investing in solar panels and other renewable resources.
- They drive a hybrid car. Those things ain't cheap.
But the point is that everyone should do what little things they can to make a difference where they are. We can't all buy hybrids and windmills; but we all can recycle our coke cans and newspapers, and carpool and turn off lights.
Baby steps, people.
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Comments (11)
5:21 PM
Anonymous, you are, like, totally off the "Christmas is not your birthday" card list.
Sam, I agree with you. What bugs me here is if this news obscures or limits the important message: We as a society need to change our consumption patterns.
Is it hypocritical that the Gores expend that much energy monthly, even though they take measures to offset it?
Yeah, probably so. Fine, let's rip Gore a new one pointing that out, but let's do it on 100% recycled paper under the light of energy-efficient light bulbs after biking home from work.
Do I do any of those things? No, but I do see the need to change how I use energy. I do recycle, and I know I need to do more than that. More people like me, I think, are aware of the need to change thanks to Gore.
If Gore gets his own message and creates a compost heap and poops in a sawdust toilet while illuminated by solar power, so much the better.
6:12 PM
"baby steps"...right there with you, sam.
it's been a long journey for me from ignorance to apathy to concern. but i think i'm ready to start getting the word out as well.
love your blog and what you're doing.
9:33 PM
I totally disagree with you Sam. I think that "from everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required" is a fair standard. And Gore has been given much. He could spend more than 40% on green power. It doesn't matter that most people spend less. Most people have also been given less. I'm glad that they are investing in things like solar panels but why don't they have enough to totally produce their own electricity? Surely they have enough money to make the initial investment. And they buy hybrid cars. Well so would many, many other people if they could afford them. I wonder if he is really doing more in the grand scheme of things. Those who are poor use much less because they have to. And while necessity might not be not be as laudable a motivator as whatever is motivating Gore, it seems to be more effective.
10:07 PM
These are (almost) all great points.
My main goal in my post was to show that the Gores aren't necessarily hypocrites just because they burn coal to heat their home.
When anyone stands up and says something and asks others to follow, he or she is held to a higher standard and certain expectations are in place.
But, Al Gore is not a hypocrite (in my mind) because he is doing his part to offset his output. Sure, he could do more. We all could. He is rich and could spend a lot of money to totally trick out his house Ed Begley, Jr. style. But, he has already spent a lot of money on his movie and other things for his house and other parts of the world.
Finding fault with a guy just because he likes to turn on the lights is a ridiculous leap to make.
The point of it all is to do what you can with what you have. Sure, I wish I could go buy an energy-friendly hybrid. But I can't. I can't afford it. But I can spring for a TerraPass to offset the car I do have and the car payment (thankfully) that I do not have.
Revolution will not come only when everyone installs solar panels and drives corn-cars. Revolution can happen everyday, when ordinary people do small things to make a difference.
10:35 PM
Since when is the Tennessean considered "journalism"? :)
Seriously, I more or less agree. But the Gores don't need to live in a big house in Belle Meade anymore than they need to drive a Lexus, hybrid or not. It's a lot easier to go green when you simplify.
7:48 AM
I'm gonna have to jump in with the disagree group.
Gore should have expected this sort of criticism from the start. He's had more then enough time, and has more then enough resources to go totally green. I think he's really hurt the movement and his campaign by not walking the walk to the degree that he could.
Reminds me of the Scripture to live "above reproach"
8:27 AM
9:54 AM
Why is the head cheerleader for this environmental initiative a political leader?
Could it be that the self-proclaimed "creator of the internet" saw opportunity in an issue that is virtually impossible to measure both in terms of an actual problem and the impact we may or may not have on it, thus giving himself sole authority to determine the success or failure of the movement all the while creating for himself opportunities to exploit a created position of power in fearfully emotional followers? (Phew!)
If this is the case then people that consider this movement a trend may see Al Gore as one of the most brilliant politicians in recent history. If you don't then you can't deny going from a lost presidency to an Oscar winning pop icon to concert promoter is an amazing feat to say the least.
Bottom line is in lieu of all this Al Gore is probably the best democratic candidate for President right now, and if this is really about political positioning then buying environmental credits also buys credibility and is expected. Watch out for solutions that fall in line with increasing government, unless of course you enjoy more government.
10:25 AM
Matt, I totally agree about Gore. He may well let Hillary and Obama try to outspend one another, and wait for both to fall. It's already happening; Obama is peaking way too early, and the DNC is finally realizing that Hillary is unelectable nationally. Who better to step in than the person who's identified the problem that affects the survival of the human race - and who knows how to solve it?
Should a politician be the leader on this? I'm convinced that the rapid destruction of our environment that's occurred since the Industrial Revolution started, and the imminent depletion of our oil resources (it will happen) requires more of a response than just my personal decision to recycle or become carbon neutral. Governments are the only institutions who can address a crisis this big.
And I haven't even seen the movie.
7:56 AM
I haven't seen the movie either and have kind of watched this whole movement from the distance.
I'm curious what you think a government can do better than its citizens with this issue?
8:20 AM
Sam, you've GOT to be kidding me! Whose house is THIS:
"The ranch was designed "in harmony with the landscape." To reduce heating and cooling needs, prevailing winds and temperatures were taken into account in situating the building. The house also uses two lesser-known environmentally friendly technologies: geothermal heating and wastewater recycling."
Inside a closet, a collection of pipes is thrust deep into the earth, down where the sun don't shine and the temperature is perpetually 67 degrees. Water circulates through this zone and then back up into house pipes to heat or cool the building. The system uses less electricity than conventional heating and cooling installations, it also has a well and recycles its water. Water that flows out a tub drain is known as "gray water"; water from the toilet is "black water." The home recycles both types via subterranean filtration tanks and uses the resultant cleaner water in the garden.
ANSWER: BUSH! You won't find that in Bellmeade.
And carbon offsets? Sounds like a the catholic church before the reformation ... buy your way (or another person's way) out of your sin. RIDICULOUS.
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