Al Gore Refuses to Take Personal Energy Ethics Pledge During Global Warming Hearing

An interesting event took place during soon-to-be-Dr. Al Gore’s visit to Congress on Wednesday. Sen. James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) asked the former Vice President to take a pledge that he would not use more energy in his personal residence than the average American, and Gore refused (video available here).

As reported at the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works website: "Senator Inhofe showed Gore a film frame from 'An Inconvenient Truth' where it asks viewers: 'Are you ready to change the way you live?'” 

On the playground, one would call this “Put up or Shut up.” Do you think Gore put up? The press release deliciously continued:

“There are hundreds of thousands of people who adore you and would follow your example by reducing their energy usage if you did.  Don’t give us the run-around on carbon offsets or the gimmicks the wealthy do,” Senator Inhofe told Gore.  

“Are you willing to make a commitment here today by taking this pledge to consume no more energy for use in your residence than the average American household by one year from today?” Senator Inhofe asked.  

Senator Inhofe then presented Vice President Gore with the following "Personal Energy Ethics Pledge":

As a believer:

·        that human-caused global warming is a moral, ethical, and spiritual issue affecting our survival; 

·        that home energy use is a key component of overall energy use; 

·        that reducing my fossil fuel-based home energy usage will lead to lower greenhouse gas emissions; and 

·        that leaders on moral issues should lead by example; 

I pledge to consume no more energy for use in my residence than the average American household by March 21, 2008.

Gore refused. Think this will make the network news programs this evening, or headlines tomorrow?

Don’t hold your breath.

Can you say "Do as I say, not as I do?"