What's 'enough' for the Greens?

As someone who has believed for 30 years that we need to 'save the planet' I am continually astonished when I come across what I think are counter-productive attitudes among self-described Greens and the environmental left.

Case in point: The Prince of Wales' visit to America. British Greens are calling him out for an 'ecologically harmful junket'. Tonight Al Gore (last year's winner) will present Prince Charles with the Global Environmental Citizen award from the Harvard Medical School's Center for Health and the Global Environment.

According to the AFP:

But green activists in Britain criticized the royal couple's decision to fly across the Atlantic with a 20-person entourage, accusing the prince of "green hypocrisy."

"Why can't he set a genuine example and accept the award by video link instead?" Sian Berry, the principal speaker for Britain's Green Party, was quoted in Britain's Independent newspaper.

"I am disappointed to see that ... his recognition of the threat posed by climate change does not extend to toning down his personal flying habits," Berry was quoted as saying.

Inconvenient facts after the flip.

What is so ridiculous is that only last month Clarence House (the Prince of Wales' offical residence) announced that they would be reviewing travel for the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall in consideration of the impact on global warming. They cancelled their customary ski trip to Klosters, Switzerland (by private plane), and announced their intention to use more commercial flights, including this weekend's trip to the US.

But no, that's not good enough for the greens. Well, boo-fucking-hoo. I wonder if they would be happy if he took a knife and opened a vein? Could we have a little honesty here? Let's run this one again...

"...his recognition of the threat posed by climate change does not extend to toning down his personal flying habits...".

But that's exactly what he's doing--he's flying commercial instead of taking a private jet and modifying his other travel plans. Moreover, in accepting this award, the future head of state of a major industrial country is raising awareness of global warming and the future of the planet. Would it have been OK if he had crossed the Atlantic in a wind-powered ship? How about if he came across alone in a row boat? Give me a fucking break!

Look, I think monarchy is an antiquated notion. But all of the 16 Commonwealth Realms (of which Charles is the heir apparent) are democracies and can change if they wish, just as many of the components of the former British Empire have. So, for now, this is what they have to work with. And I think he's doing some very good things. Here's a guy who is an organic farmer--the Duchy of Cornwall is a major player in this area. He is a proponent of liveable urban development and very vocal in the fight against global warming. What the hell do these people want?

Not only that, but they're lying about his position. This is soooo stupid. It does our credibility absolutely no good.