Al Gore caught much flack earlier this year for the news that his Tennessee mansion was somewhat less than a beacon of environmental sensitivity. Granted, the source of the news was a hit piecefrom a Tennessee right wing group. But to me it stung, because the Right had finally managed to push a hit piece that actually had a kernel of truth to it. For all his admirable advocacy of sustainability and small carbon footprints, Al Gore had not yet implemented many such practices in his new home (note this diary has been edited to acknowledge that Gore has lived in the home only since 2002). Well now he has finally achieved many of his stated upgrade goals, and I sincerely say good for him.
Many of the measures, detailed in a CNN-featured Associated Press story here, are beyond the means of average Americans. But they are an important inspiration that individuals can make a difference. We don't have to wait for auto manufacturers to make more hybrids and fewer SUVs. We can start the process ourselves by improving our homes. And when you consider that the most eggregious atmospheric polluter is coal combustion in terms of both acid rain and CO2 per BTU, it becomes even more attractive to decrease domestic electrical consumption as well as gas or oil.
To be sure, most people of modest means will no time soon be installing solar panels or a geothermal system. But they can roll down some additional insulation in the attic, or maybe put in new windows over a period of time. Heck, if you don't have the money for new windows, go ahead and put some of that winterizing plastic film over your less conspicuous windows. I bit the bullet last winter and did exactly that. This cheap stuff paid for itself in gas savings in about, oh I don't know, a week? And people can certainly, as I did years ago, convert to compact fluorescents.
But whereas the "wealthy" (a relative term, to be sure) can afford some of the more impressive improvements, the wealthy also need to realize how energy can be saved by trimming materialistic excess. It's not all about making the mansion more energy efficient, installing a solar heated guard shack at your winter chalet in Switzerland, or driving a hybrid Bentley. Mr. Gore's 10,000 square foot mansion is 5 times the size of a spacious suburban house. Sure, Al and Tipper are justified in having ample entertainment space, given their status and role in life. But consider that they are simply one older couple with no children at home, and they travel regularly. And although Mr. Gore is more than willing to drive a Prius, there are some upscale perks that he obviously won't surrender:
When the Gores' heated pool is hooked up to the system later this month, their energy use is expected to decline more, his spokeswoman said.
Indeed.
So congratulations to Mr. Gore for the impressive bevy of home improvements. But as we all embrace the new technlogies that make energy savings possible, we should also consider what energy uses are simply excessive or unnecessary. I don't buy into the concept of rationalizing excess with the purchase of carbon offset credits. What about trimming excess AND purchasing the credits? And for the rest of us; Make your home more energy efficient, and trade in the SUV for an AWD station wagon/cross-over. And maybe, just maybe, give a second thought to the private heated pool? Either way, I praise Mr. Gore, and simultaneously recommend a wetsuit.