You probably don't remember reading here back in December my desire for Al Gore to run and shine light on environmental issues. In the same post, I also theorized that Obama would choose not to run. Boy, was I wrong. Gore isn't running, but he has been championing environmental issues like nobody else. Unfortunately, he decided to do this Live Earth thing. Why?

This has to be one of the worst decisions he has ever made.

I seriously question the inspirational value of the concerts. How much more aware are we now of environmental issues than we were last week before these concerts? Not a significant amount, I am guessing. I haven't exactly seen any polling statistics proving that, I am just using my own observations of those around me. Additionally, it seems hypocritical to have all of these rich and famous people globe-trotting about in jets, using huge amounts of energy for light and sound at these concerts, to promote the cause of environmentalism. That is the huge flaw in this Live Earth logic, that there is the likely possibility to do more harm than good. Sure, they're gonna plant 100,000 trees to offset the environmental impact, but that whole idea is so...abstract and unrealistic. Conservation is key, not offsetting. They're failing by example to lead us in the right direction.

I'm not sure that Americans can be convinced to do the things necessary to become an environmentally friendly people. Rather, I believe legislative action will be required to force us down that difficult road. And if our elected officials cannot successfully lead us in the right direction, we will destroy ourselves.

Oh, the Earth will survive. I think that is the mistake the Gore people are making. We are not destroying the Earth, we are destroying ourselves. Yes, we are harming the planet, but it will recover, even if populated by less or different species. Also, they must get off of this global warming kick. There are so many other environmental issues that we can impact significantly, whereas global warming is something we very likely cannot make any significant process to reverse. Saving the environment is not the same thing as stopping global warming. It is a serious misstep by Mr. Gore. I wholly support the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, do not misunderstand me on that, but we can't even recycle our trash or use water efficiently, things much easier to achieve than altering the climate.

It is sad that humans have become a plague on the planet. We have, quite literally, outgrown the planet. I have mentioned before that Earth can sustain only two billion humans continuously, yet we have over six billion people consuming it's resources. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that something must be done. We must stop growing. What actions can we take to resolve such a serious issue? I have no idea. Well, no pleasant ideas, anyhow.

Nature has a way of resolving overpopulation problems, but it won't be pretty.