Al Gore may have brought global warming to every American family’s attention, but is he a true environmentalist or a phony? I came across the Tenessee Center for Policy Research today, and they have an article about Al Gore’s mind numbing energy usage. Okay, I can admit that I have not been as green in the last year as I would liked to have been, but the facts given by this nonprofit and nonpartisan research organization tell us that Al Gore is not a true environmentalist.
In the documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth”, the former Vice President calls Americans reduce electricity usage at home and save energy. Yet, according to the Tenn. Cntr. for Policy Research, in 2006, Gore consumed almost 221,000 kWh- more than 20 times the national average! Since the release of the documentary, his electricty consumption has actually increased by over 2,000 kWh per month. Ouch! Hypocrisy does not bode well with leading the environmental charge. If you are going to be the “frontman” for the environment and global warming, then set an example for others to follow. I would dare say that his “concern” for the environment is more of a publicity stunt than a “cause”. I sure hope I am wrong, but the facts seem to suggest otherwise. Original article here.
The owner of EnergyRefuge.com has written a response to my post here.
He has asked that I let the readers know that there are two sides to every story. We will have to just agree to disagree, on this particular topic.
Yes, regardless – please, let’s do as they say even if they don’t. If everyone waits until everyone else is truly being green then it’ll take… um… how long?
we don’t need to wait for others to be truly green- we need people campaigning for global warming that have truly put themselves into the fight for the right reasons. we don’t need political “hypocrites” and “whats in it for me?” (i.e. 2008 presidential campaign) people…
Kudos to Al Gore. Not many leaders lead by example but the message he sends is what counts.
Many people are counting on technology alone to continue to redeem people from disaster, and we’ve seen it a few times.
The agricultural – industrial revolution, enabled us to sustaine the demand for food.
Then due to inbalanced modifications of the echosystem on the earth, what happened: A lot of good soil became dessert.
Then we learned treat soil in a more balanced way, and you can reuse it many times for agriculture.
The problem with the environment is more complex. Technology alone is not going to work, and there is not much time left before, it is irreversible.
Al Gore has given his name and reputation to one of the most noble causes out there today. He has spoken eloquently and tirelessly about climate change and what we can do to help.
People can blast him for not being Ed Begley Jr, but Ed Begley Jr. does not have the resources available, nor instant recognition and respect the world over to lend legitimacy to such a cause.
You guys have fallen victim to the right wing propaganda machine designed to smear Gore.
Did the author or any of the posters bother considering that Gore purchases carbon offsets?
The author should do a tiny little bit of research before posting something he heard or read from the right wing mouthpieces.
It would also be helpful to get Gore’s reply to today’s smear attacks.
The oil companies and right wingers must be laughing at the greenies echoing their
propaganda. Brilliant!
There are not many people that are as influential as Al Gore that are much greener than he is. He presented global warming to many people that never gave it a second thought. Is that not good enough?
If you want to compare to the national average, maybe you should compare his usage to the usage of other film stars and former Presidential Candidates. Let me know what you find.
Jim-
I think that there is truth on both sides. Carbon offsets??? You mean having a tree planted in the jungle and then driving to the mall in your H2 gas guzzler? With the fortune that Gore has he should be more involved in checking his own carbon emissions. Yes, I am sure the oil companies are laughing…not everything evil in this world is a result of oil companies and right wingers- that is leftist propaganda : )~
Overall, I think Gore is a sincere tree hugger, but politics is a nasty business and he is very much a politician.
sorry to burst your bubble, the Tennessee Center for Policy Research is a front organization just like we have seen in the past…..
please do research before helping someone slander a great man.
What “research” do you have that suggests that the Tennessee Center for Policy Research is a “front organization”? That is a common reply when something uncomfortable is unearthed. Even if they were the biggest front organization in the world, that still does not take away from the truth of the matter.
this is not truth….
The Tennessee tax department considers The Tennessee Center for Policy Research “not a legitimate organization”
Gore’s family has taken numerous steps to reduce the carbon footprint of their private residence, including signing up for 100 percent green power through Green Power Switch, installing solar panels, and using compact fluorescent bulbs and other energy saving technology. From statements Gore has made and that are documented on thinkprogress.org
this is just bs…again please don’t help organizations slander people without looking into things a little first….
Don’t dis the Goreacle. He works from home with his wife and he offsets the use of elec. Give the guy some slack. How about count the effect his film has had on people. I for one left the theater, listed my minivan for sale and bought a Prius the very next week. Since then I’ve ordered solar PV for my home and installed CF lightbulbs. I’m doing more and more and thanks to the awareness I acquired from his film. Count that towards his emissions before you go and dis the best leader this country will ever know. GORE IN 08′
Gore is being Swift Boated.
Every time someone runs for office, or considers it, we can expect this to happen. If someone were to look impartially at who Mr. Gore is as an environmentalist, he checks out. The Tennessee Center for Policy Research owes him an apology for trying to paint a very ugly picture, when in fact, they left out the most important facts. To me, that is the lowest form of slander. My response is here, Ethan.
Jon,
I spoke to a friend of mine in the Tenn. state government, and he said that nobody pays much attention to the The Tennessee Center for Policy Research. He said they are extremely politically biased at times. They are a think tank of sorts, but I don’t see how sitting around trying to ruin anyone’s reputation is helpful, or a part of their job.
George, that is great how Mr. Gore brought change in your life. I think he woke up a lot of people and we should be thanking him for it.
I think it makes sense that if you are going to be spreading a message and if transportation is a part of that, it can be difficult to keep your consumption low. He even talked about flying being so terrible for the earth, but he’s probably stretched so thin, it wouldn’t be realistic to drive.
I’ve noticed a great change in people around me who I never thought would come around to see that we really do need to change our ways and I know it’s because they’ve seen the film. I can’t complain when the message has impacted so many tight fisted people who could never have come around will all that he presented.
I certainly don’t see him as being a perfect role model but no one is and we all just need to do what we can within our own bounds. For him, it’s travelling to spread a very important message. For me, it’s taking the bus to school and work and starting a business that reflects my beliefs.
Comparing gore to the average American is just stupid. How about comparing his energy use to the average celebrity? Also part of the reason gore has been able to win over people is that he is not a pot smokeing back to nature hippy. He needs to be able to impress some very rich people to strengthen his message, and in our modern consumerism based society, its hard to impress billionaire business men without a big house. A house with 20 rooms consumes a lot of power.
1.5 times or double the national average electricity consumption I could stomach, but more than 20 times?? Come on here people. Does this not scream the word “ridiculous”? Sure it’s great if he purchases green offsets for this power, but think how much greater impact he could have if he lived in an average sized home (which in the US is still massive, I live in a 1150 sq. ft. home which is plenty big). Us North Americans are gluttens of excess, particularly cheap energy, and Al Gore is leading the pack. It is leaders like Ghandi and Mother Teresa who have the biggest impacts long-term, those who practice what they preach. I agree Gore has had a huge positive impact, but if this is an example of our greatest heroes of today, how sad for our culture. It’s easy to preach when you are insulated from the consquences of your message.
Unfortunately its not about what we in the “in” community think, but how it affects people on the “edge” of changing the way they do things. For them change is inconvenient, takes time and effort. Anything that reduces the potential that they will tip into the new behaviour reduces the effect of Al Gores message, which is a darn shame. We are all human, as others have said. But when you start on the path of a crusader, look yourself in the mirror and change those things that are going to reduce the effect of your effort. This was one thing that didn’t have to happen.
Better Gore burns that power on his activities to stop global warming than some yahoo in an SUV.
Also, this web site uses a WHITE background color. A real energy waster on monitors. By using a darker color, green, grey, or red, you practically cut energy use by the monitor in half.
I think you can chase yourself into a circle on this issue. Going after Gore about it is stupid.
JC –
Stop writing so much! You are wasting pixels…ha ha ha ha
Maybe if everyone stopped blogging and commenting, global warming will go away!?!? Sorry guy, but I think you had a good point until the background color issue. My website is completely white- it is a style preference. I would not dare to give my URL cuz I bashed Gore about two months ago. I had enough greenies on my site complainin’ to know never to post on Hugg again.
To the writer, I actually agree with the allegations against Gore. I think he is an overtalked sleazy politician. Just my opinion.
I agree global warming is an important issue. I just don’t trust Gore (or most politicians) so it’s easy to not trust the message. And that’s unfortunate because then we the people miss the point. One more thing: carbon offsets. They’re bogus. No amount of money should ever make up for not doing the right thing.
20 times the national average, eh? Next they’ll be saying that the Goracle eats babies and kick old ladies down stairs.
If he were to be a hypocrite, I can’t say that I’m fussed. Loads more people are paying attention to global warming/energy conservation and his activism has played a big role. On average, he’s making the world a better place.
I wonder if there’s a plausible explanation like he’s running mondo servers in his basement or, more likely, has a helluva lot more people running through his house because he’s entertaining/hosting the masses. I suspect he is probably not running around his mansion cackling, with all the lights on while simultaneously leaving fridge and freezer doors open.