owls

Al Gore's words of wisdom are in fact sometimes wise counsel. Unfortunately they are accompanied by suspect eco-terrorizing to shoo people into doing what they should be considering more actively. None of these things are designed to 'save the planet' as he puts it. More precisely, these activities do things which are economically and environmentally beneficial. There is nothing wrong with reducing pollution or energy consumption, and certainly nothing wrong with saving a buck or two (or at least being able to re-direct it to service debt, there's an idea for the feds to consider). Most of the suggestions are things I actively do already, but most people do not. For example, recycle or reuse packaging. It would help if companies didn't feel the need for extensive packaging in the first place, but then it would help if people didn't feel like shoplifting too. Buying organic or local foods, which is incidentally something I suggest for a whole range of problems, mostly not directly linked to environmental concerns. Everything from corporate malfeasance to basic health care to humanitarian food sales can be alleviated with more local produce. That less energy is needed for shipping and generating is fine too. Now if it could cost less...