When you stumble across a statement like this in the opening part of an article, it’s a fair bet that you’re not about to be treated to a balanced, professional, impartial analysis.</p>
<p>Just to add to the mystique, he says he has an MBA from “California State University” - but, while there are about 30 Universities in the CSU system, none of them go by that particular name. He says he’s a “Registered Environmental Assessor” in the State of California, but the state database doesn’t list him. So… who is this guy?</p>
<p>Just out of curiousity, I looked up our electricity records for the last year. Our house is around 2700 square feet, and all appliances are electric. Our kilowatt usage for 2006 was 21,000 kilowatts. Now, Gore’s house is not quite 4 times as large as ours, and he uses MORE than 4 times the electricity. At 221,000 kw per year for a 10,000 square foot house, he’s using about 22 kw/sq ft per year. We are using around 8 kw/sq ft per year. And we live north of Boston, which has a much colder climate than Nashville and use central air throughout the summer. What in the world is he doing there? Not only is he apparently not conserving energy, he seems to be outright profligate about it.</p>
<p>We can all say, “That’s his business. He’s still bringing attention to a problem.” Fine, but a variety of people associated with “An Inconvenient Truth” seem to think that reducing carbon emissions is fine for you and me, but doesn’t apply to them.
<p>sjmom, you got me curious and I looked at our bills for the past year. Our house is approximately 8,000 square feet and we used approximately 38,000 kw for the year. We have gas heat so that’s not included but that’s still a huge difference. I, too, have to wonder why his usage, if, in fact, the figures are accurate, are so high. It doesn’t seem like those numbers could possibly be right. Has anyone seen a photo of this house?</p>
<p>Our house is five years old – double paned windows, good insulation etc. Maybe Gore’s home is older, and more expensive to heat. But 3X what we spend per square foot per year?</p>
<p>sjmom–I understand your irritation. As I’ve said before, I think Gore’s environmental message is a good one. The fact that to this point he hasn’t fully practiced his preachings is bothersome. …</p>
<p>washdad–Aren’t you being a little harsh? Gore, a mutant? Maybe so, but then, I’ve always seen Bush as the missing link, something between simian and homo sapien.</p>
<p>Might I speculate that Al’s stairmaster might be drawing a disproportionate wattage given the demand of his carbon footprints? There is an explanation for all figures, you sceptics.</p>
<p>Now that Gore and, by association, his movement have been discredited, I’m going right out and buy a big ol’ Hummer or SUV. You can all seethe with envy at my vehicular splendor as I stop in the local grocer to pick up beer and pretzels.</p>
<p>I think I may leave it running while I go inside so you can all marvel at its mighty growl.</p>
<p>Me too, Dadguy! We mustn’t forget to rev our impressive machines menacingly at each stop light, then burn rubber on green! A Hummer doesn’t quiet suit me, though. I’d prefer the quiet dignity of an 8 mpg Escalade. If it happens to get more than 8 mpg, I’ll drive in a way to make sure it doesn’t. … Also, I’m turning up my thermostat to 80 so I’ll feel like I’m living in Miami year-round.</p>
<p>Since this is a democracy, you are free to purchase whatever vehicle you choose. You can then pay for the gas, which may approach $3 or more again this summer, try to park it in a small lot or even your own garage, and get in and out of the silly thing. Market forces will determine whether or not people choose to buy those vehicles.</p>
<p>It’s your choice, as long as you don’t try to tell me what to drive. If you drive a Hummer or Escalade, and then suggest that the rest of us drive a Prius, that’s ridiculous.</p>
<p>Feel free to turn your thermostat up, Hindoo. Personally, I don’t need higher utility bills. If that’s how you choose to spend your money, it’s fine by me. But please don’t turn your heat up while suggesting that the rest of us wear thermal underwear indoors.</p>
<p>The criticism toward Gore is prompted by his glaring hypocrisy. If he wants to spend his money on private jets, limos, a heated pool or whatever, it’s none of my business. But when he suggests that everyone else “go green” while not doing so himself, he opens himself up to criticism.</p>
<p>It reminds me of the definition of “frugal.” Frugal is when you are careful about what you spend on yourself. Cheap is when you are careful about what you spend on others.</p>
<p>The point is, does anyone need an 8 mpg Escalade? Is there some status to driving one of the more environmentally UNconscious vehicles?</p>
<p>Sure, it’s America, land of the individual, but at what juncture do people start thinking of the collective good, or only after we have passed the tipping point (which may or may not already have happened)?</p>
I would say the same thing about someone whose utlity bills are in the $10K per year realm. Wouldn’t it be in the collective good to turn your thermostat down a bit and perhaps put some insulation in? My day-time temperature is set to 64 and at night it is 54. Perhaps you should purchase some energy credits from me. PayPal is accepted.</p>
<p>“Our house is five years old – double paned windows, good insulation etc. Maybe Gore’s home is older, and more expensive to heat. But 3X what we spend per square foot per year?”</p>
<p>I think the house is older, and is being updated. SJmom, do you have a pool? Remember to factor that consumption in and it should reduce the per sq ft from 3x’s. </p>
<p>A five year old home should be up to current energy codes with high R factor insulation and wrapped as well. Actually your risk is your home may not breathe all that well, so toxic mold may become a problem. New homes tend to trap heat so well, they create a new problem. </p>
<p>Again, I don’t like the guy anymore than I like GW, I do encourage the effort and wish to high heaven that SOMEBODY in government would make it easier cost wise to get off the grid. My dream home includes many of the things on GW’s new ranch home. The problem for me, is I have to pay full price for them. We have a milk subisidy, why not a green energy conversion subisdy?</p>
Didn’t the latest Energy bill provide such a subsidy? I know that it provided a pretty good break on hybrid cars. Doesn’t it also provide breaks on solar panels, etc.?</p>
<p>sjmom–You must be psychic! How did you know I was going to suggest that everyone but me drive a Prius and wear thermal underwear? … Seriously … I drive a 9-year-old Subaru with 140,000-plus miles on it and after being guilt-tripped by my CC friends who keep their thermostats at the freezing mark, I’ve sadly turned my own down from 72 to 68. I’m miserable, but I think I’ll make it.</p>
<p>The big negative with hybrid cars (at least to this point) is their size. If a Prius gets broadsided by a Hummer or an Escalade, there’s no hope for the former. … My 17yo daughter was recently slammed hard on the front passenger side of our second car, a small '98 Infinity (with 130,000 miles). It was a horrific accident, but nobody was hurt. I thanked the good lord that the person who hit her was also driving a small, lightweight car. Not that this story is apropos of anything. Just wanted to comment.</p>