Al Gores inconvienient truth...

[Ole Unka Phil]

Carbon offsetting is really quite simple, you pay a company money and they will do something to reduce a certain amount of carbon that you have produced. For example, flying to Ireland produces X amount of carbon, by carbon offsetting I pay a company to plant trees and such that will absorb the X amount of carbon in years to come thus reducing my carbon footprint for that trip to 0.

The thing is, you can see the flaw in that quite easily, it takes time for trees and plants and algae to grow to then be able to absorb the carbon so you have a significant time delay before your offsetting was successful.

Much love,
Niox

Well I don't know if he is or isn't... but this amounts to junk science and nothing beats reduction of useage.

Many environmentalists have criticized the use of forestry carbon offsets as an inadequate substitute for long-term fossil fuel use reduction. In addition, many forestry offset projects have been conceived and/or conducted in ways that are vulnerable to criticism, drawing their net benefits into question.

It should be noted that trees consume much more oxygen than they give off when they decay. They also produce more CO2 when they decay than they consume when they are alive. The only reason we have a net of oxygen in the atmosphere is because the oxygen producing plankton (and plants) in the ocean are often covered in mud and decay without consuming oxygen in a process called sublimation.

So really its all a mirage... he should find a way to reduce his comsumption instead of planning on his Boxwood hedges and Petunia's to deliver salvation.

[PyRo]

I really hate defending this guy but it's not as bad as it seems. It still is bad though.
How many people in addition to AL Gores family live at his mansion? Does he have a full time cook, driver, maid? Do those people have families? If so then you would expect more electricity to be used then normally would be.

[BigEvil]

I really hate defending this guy but it's not as bad as it seems. It still is bad though.
How many people in addition to AL Gores family live at his mansion? Does he have a full time cook, driver, maid? Do those people have families? If so then you would expect more electricity to be used then normally would be.

Right, but I think you missed the point.. it use MORE than a house its size normally would use.

[deadeye9]

LINK:

He drives a hybrid, flies commercially whenever he can, and purchases green power. In the few instances where work has demanded that he travel privately, he purchases carbon offsets for the emissions.

He buys 100% green power through Green Power Switch.

[deadeye9]

... it use MORE than a house its size normally would use.

Not true.

Moreover, Gore lives in a large home (10,000 sq. ft.). If you look at the data, it's clear that Gore's energy usage per square foot (even assuming the 221,000 kWh number is accurate) is well within the average range for his climate region.

[Lohman446]

So, his defense to use more then average American electricity is "I have a big house"?

[bleachit]

I wonder how many rich hollywood types, or Al Gores, are actually investing their own money into alternative sources of energy. like, I dunno "here's $20 million, make something that doesn't run on oil, make it economically viable, and let's market it and show people we are actually serious about using our wealth and prominence to make a real difference, instead of making everyone else change their lives whilst we bask in luxury."

edit: if Burt Rutan can send someone into space, why cant some rich folks develop something that has a chance in hell of actually weaning us off of foreign oil, and all that other garbage they complain about.

[Ole Unka Phil]

Well to the root of the problem...does anyone need 10,000 square feet of house so as to need to use that kinda energy? Should someone trying to conserve consider NOT having a huge house?

Even if one wants to believe that the smoke and mirrors of Carbon Offsets exists... then is not this something only the rich and elite can do? I mean is it not a case of "well... I need to NOT conserve because I can afford to buy my way out of it?

[PyRo]

Well to the root of the problem...does anyone need 10,000 square feet of house so as to need to use that kinda energy? Should someone trying to conserve consider NOT having a huge house?

Even if one wants to believe that the smoke and mirrors of Carbon Offsets exists... then is not this something only the rich and elite can do? I mean is it not a case of "well... I need to NOT conserve because I can afford to buy my way out of it?

Yup, that's the whole problem here. You don't need such a large house. If you want it and can afford it you're welcome to buy it though, that's America. To buy it then tell everyone else they need to cut back though is just plain hypocritical.
If he is so energy conscious why not pay these people to reduce his carbon footprint and cut back at the same time putting him in the negative. That's how you set an example, not by throwing money around and pointing fingers.

[deadeye9]

...does anyone need 10,000 square feet of house ...

Of course not ... comrade.

[Lohman446]

Of course not ... comrade.

If your going to whine about global impact perhaps you should try to conserve.

Throwing your daddy's money at some carbon thing so you can feel good about yourself just does not cut it...

What sacrifice is Al Gore making personally to help with the problem he is so adamate about?

Oh, personal sacrifice, well, I didn't mean...

[Pacifist_Farmer]

The best thing about forestry carbon offsets is the fact that once matured, these forests will be a source of renewable fuels. Then some one can buy some more carbon offsets and replant the trees we just cut down, better than cutting down all the red woods.

[bornl33t]

Of course not ... comrade.

hey, the richest people have the best chance to influence the rest of us. It's always been that way. With great authority comes great responsibility. We all know money talks therefor if anyone should be putting money into tree hugging then the rich should go first.


Ever one complains about Bush. We as a nation voted the lesser of two evils, with ever move that this guy makes I am more convinced America despite their hate of Bush voted correctly.

[ntn4502]

*looks around the room shakes head, and procedes to drive back up to ODNR for the second time today*

[Tunaman]

Sometimes, a picture really can speak 1000 words.

He musta ate Hillary!