Et Tu, Arnold?
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 03.10.08
Image courtesy of schumachergirl1956 via flickr
The "Green Governor," as California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has come to be nicknamed in the press, has at times demonstrated an almost comical disregard for the muscular environmental agenda he's trumpeted during his tenure. Whether it be his love for "green" Hummers or his administration's obfuscation in last year's CARB-gate, the Governator - in spite of his bold eco-advocacy - has often seemed satisfied to follow a "do as I say, not as I do" policy.
The latest brouhaha over his supposed green credentials revolves around his heavy use of a Gulfstream private jet - which produces almost the same amount of emissions as a small car does in a year - for his near-daily commuting and extensive traveling, the LAT's Evan Halper and Michael Rothfeld report. Just as Al Gore was initially criticized for his Tennessee mansion's large energy consumption - an issue he quickly addressed by installing energy-efficient technologies and earning a gold LEED rating - Schwarzenegger has been accused of undermining his conservationist image.
His aides have defended his extensive traveling, arguing that he pays for them himself - i.e. through campaign funds donated by special interests - and that he compensates for the emissions produced by purchasing carbon offsets, spending the equivalent of $43 an hour; by comparison, his jet flights cost as much as $10,000 an hour. Unlike previous governors, Schwarzenegger has refused to relocate his family to Sacramento - he owns a lavish mansion in Brentwood; he has dismissed the complaints by calling his commuting "no big deal".
Except it is, Governor. While it's understandable that he'd want to spend as much time with his family as possible - his justification for flying back and forth between the state capital and his home - there is simply no excuse for the heavy use of such carbon-intensive transportation. Given the reputation he's worked so hard on building as a green crusader, it'd be a shame to see him undermine it so thoroughly with such actions.
Via ::Los Angeles Times: Governor's high-flying commute draws flak (newspaper)
See also: ::Presidential Campaign Update: Al & Arnold At The New Hampshire Primary, ::Schwarzenegger Talks Green
As it becomes easier and easier for everyday people to "go green" these days, its just really too bad that the elected leader of California won't personally address the issue. Practice what you preach, Govenator! Its what each individual does that makes a difference and contributes to a better, healthier world. I'm sickened by Schwarzenegger's lack of sensitivity and action on this issue. If the much beloved govenor of the great and progressive state of California would only make an attempt at selflissness and consider the big picture he could motivate more people to also do the same, creating a sweep of positive changes. I'll pray for your sould, Schwarzenegger.
Its embarrassing how people scape-goat those in power who have done so good at conducting change just because they aren't perfect. Seriously? Arnold? You're gonna whine about Arnold? Wow. Again, embarrassing.
^ You've got to walk the walk. Anybody can theoretically be in favor of "sustainability" or "being green". It means little if you can't even do simple things like living in the governor's mansion (heaven forbid) to save fossil fuels. Why should people be in favor of making sacrifices to save fossil fuels if their governator isn't even on board in his personal life?
T5 coming soon ..... Arnold Schwarzenegger is back !
This is just yet another "do as I say not as I do" pitch from the rich. Who are always on about how the poor people should "go green", "become more sustainable" yet they themselves never bother and their publicsists, managers, lawyers ect...just make it look like they do.
The sad fact is, the rich get richer off the "green" movement at the expense of the people who they push to accept their views/ways.
I'm with Juan G. This is pretty pointless. But if you're gonna complain about his usage, throw us some stats to back up your statement. Show me his mileage, show me small jet emissions data, show me his offsets and how much he should be. Let's see some links.
But that aside, you're complaining about someone who told Detroit automakers they're a bunch of girly-men for not raising their MPG standards. You're talking about someone who is suing the Federal government for not letting him raise his standards.
WTF Mate?
Articles like these do nothing to further the environmental cause. Instead you should be focusing more on cool technologies that can make a difference and point out the positive in what people and companies are doing. Save the negatives for people that REALLY, REALLY deserve it. Otherwise people will quickly dismiss your whole agenda.
This article is just too easy - as a native Californian living out East, I see the Governor setting standards for the rest of the country to follow. I will not and think it is a cheap shot to begrudge him time with his family. He worked hard for his money and I believe he is one of the, if not the most, green conscious governors out there. You have provided others, who are dissatisfied with their own lives, a way to express outrage, once again, at those filthy rich people who just don't care about them. Wrong! This man gives back and if his own life doesn't meet perfect "green" criteria, everyone take a deep breath and see how it's going in their own back yards.
Green governor? He's about to spray pesticides by airplanes all over the city of San Francisco and surrounding counties every month for at least 2 years!!! The only thing green about him is the green that's going to his cronies who are behind this environmental and health assault including the Bush administration who declared a "state of emergency" for a moth that has done zero damage to agriculture. Why aren't more people doing something to stop this?!
I'm not hip on his total situation, but don't some people (like governors, presidents, etc, etc) fall a little out of the norm of the "Green Geek"? Should he be carpooling to work in a Geo Metro converted to a diesel/electric hybrid, holding his tofu and bean sprout lunch on his hemp clad lap? Come on....at least he is fighting for the things that need to be done......
Check out our governor here in Illinois!!!! He probably commutes more than Arnold! He doesn't live in the capitol and flies here from Chicago on state aircraft. I can't think of one thing he has done for the environment. Heck, I can't think of one thing he's done at all except promise programs and benefits and the money to pay for them (which he doesn't have in the first place).
I'll trade you Arnold the "Terminator" for Rod "God" Blagoyevich any day of the week!
His daily flights only emit as much as a car? That's a good thing, not a bad thing.
Seriously, wasn't there anything else to report today other than being hypocritical?
LOL, Here Here!!! berkmberk1!
Esquire magazine just did a cover of Arnold this month. "The President of 12% of Us".
They talk about his use of the Gulfstream. In that article I believe they say he buys Carbon credits to offset the emissions.