We are now treating the Earth’s atmosphere as an open sewer... I can’t understand why there aren’t rings of young people blocking bulldozers and preventing them from constructing coal-fired power plants.”
- Al Gore
From the New York Times today. Hat tip to the GristMill.
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Democracy is utterly dependent upon an electorate that is accurately informed. In promoting climate change denial (and often denying their responsibility for doing so) industry has done more than endanger the environment. It has undermined democracy.
There is a vast difference between putting forth a point of view, honestly held, and intentionally sowing the seeds of confusion. Free speech does not include the right to deceive. Deception is not a point of view. And the right to disagree does not include a right to intentionally subvert the public awareness.
Although all public relations professionals are bound by a duty to not knowingly mislead the public, some have executed comprehensive campaigns of misinformation on behalf of industry clients on issues ranging from tobacco and asbestos to seat belts.
Lately, these fringe players have turned their efforts to creating confusion about climate change. This PR campaign could not be accomplished without the compliance of media as well as the assent and participation of leaders in government and business.
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for these young enthusiasts would be to block Gore's jet fueled travels.
Or Gore could just live as he learns, but that is probably too much to ask.
How would you suggest Gore continue to be a world leader on the issue and be as effective as he his on urging action to reduce carbon emissions? He has to fly, and until there is a viable alternative to air travel -- a solution most likely to occur through R and D investment spurred by Gore raising this issue to the height of concern it justifies -- he should continue to fly.
This continued red herring argument over Gore is getting old, sad and pathetic -- now it's being used to hack on DiCaprio's efforts with his new documentary, The 11th Hour.
So easy to sit back and whinge on about Gore as an excuse to keep your head firmly planted in the sand isn't it.
in hypocricy is Gore's honorary title.
Seriously, if he were a true leader, he would live as he learns. He doesn't, hence, his credibility is zero.
Gore is also a world leader in creating interest in his own ventures, and thus maximizing his own personal profit. While, at the same time, requesting us ordinary folks to tighten the belt.
Enough said.
It's a sad and petty argument to try to discredit an individual who is working his ass off to make real change in the world. You think Gore needs to all that he does to make profit? Ridiculous, he was worth a heck of a lot before he even started this undertaking.
Zero credibility? Please... he's up for a Nobel Prize -- or is that another underground socialist organization akin to the mainstream scientific community and the United Nations!?
You have repeatedly stated that Al Gore does not"live as he learns", yet the only evidence you hold up is that he flies frequently. What does he drive? From whom does he buy electricity? Does he use drive-throughs? Idle in traffic? Eat vegetables shipped in from California on refrigerated trucks? How long has he been on this particular hobby-horse? Let me answer that one: since he was an undergraduate and long before he went into politics. I am getting very tired of people tearing away at Al Gore like a bunch of yappy little dogs. The man is an informed, intelligent person who can read the handwriting on the wall, even if you can't. People like me are plodding along, adding solar panels, driving once a week and growing our own veggies -- trying to make a difference in any way we can. He happens to have an international profile and he is using it for the good of us all. So shut up unless you can come up with something more convincing than "gee, he shouldn't be flying if he wants us to give up our snowmobiles".
"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."
"I can’t understand why there aren’t rings of young people blocking bulldozers and preventing them from constructing coal-fired power plants.”
Maybe it's because they like having electricity?