How to Live a Low-Energy Lifestyle, By Kelpie Wilson

[madokie]

http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/50075/

Al Gore is really doing it, bringing climate awareness to the doorsteps of opinion makers and forcing them to consider all of its implications. Of course, no good deed ever goes unpunished in this country.

Aside from all the sniping about his annual home power bill (which turns out to be so high partly because he spends an extra five grand or so to buy wind power and might also have something to do with a vice president's security needs), lots of the usual "free market uber alles" types are accusing him and all green-minded folks of forcing them to wear the dreaded "hair shirt" of mandatory reductions in their energy use.

Incredibly, those who aren't complaining about the sacrifices are indignant about Gore making it all seem too easy. In Robert J. Samuelson's New York Times editorial last week titled "Hollywood's Climate Follies," he accuses Gore of painting the issue as "saints vs. sinners" and failing to acknowledge that "the lifestyles that produce greenhouse gases are deeply ingrained in modern economies and societies. ... Those who believe that addressing global warming is a moral imperative face an equivalent moral imperative to be candid about the costs, difficulties and uncertainties."

It's hard to tell exactly what triggered Samuelson's outrage, but it seems to be a line from Gore's Oscar acceptance speech where he said, "We have everything we need to get started, with the possible exception of the will to act. That's a renewable resource. Let's renew it."

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. You know, doing this climate thing...

I see an Al Gore who is comfortable in his skin. When he last ran, he did not seem comfortable in his skin.

Just an observation.

[madokie]

2. Oh yea I see that too but I have to say I sure hope he will run for the Presidency

there is so much more he can do to further his cause from the big chair. imo

And when I think about that possibility I am so much more comfortable in my own skin, ;-)

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

3. Oh, I agree.

I would love to see Al run and I would probably support him. That said, if he has reached that time of his life where he has said "Fuck it. I don't need it anymore." I cannot begrudge the man the luxury of self-determination. He's earned at least that.

Of course, we'd all be poorer for the fact.

[madokie]

5. I agree with you.

no matter what he decides to do now I will always have the utmost respect for him. He has done so much on so many fronts. Al is truly a man who has made a big difference in our lives.

[oldtime dfl_er]

4. me too!

He's my president!