Al Gore lays down green challenge to America

Just curious, have you guys done anything at home to be more green?

I've swapped out nearly all of my light bulbs for compact fluorescents. I noticed a difference in my electric bill right away. My wife and I are also more conscious of keeping unnecessary lights off. I also keep my heat and a/c running strong with yearly tune ups and frequent changes of the air filter. And I installed a programmable thermostat when I first moved in.

i live 3min away from work.
when we go out somewhere, we carpool.
the light bulb thing

i mean, right now i really don't use much energy compared to an average person, but at work we have lots of fun polluting toys to counteract whatever eco-savings i may make.

Not sure if you guys have seen this, but I think it's important to hear both sides of the story.

YouTube - George Bush Global Warming Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDrq0LNrh-A)

We have switched to CF bulbs, use reusable grocery bags, recycle rather dilligently, installed rain barrels, switched to more efficient automobiles, and grow most of our own vegetables now. And hoenstly nothing has really costs all that much. The CF bulbs are cheaper in the long run and save money on our bills. The grocery bags were less than a dollar a piece and actually are easier to use than regular old plastic bags. Recycling does cost us per month but it is very reasonable. We save money on gas with the newer cars and our vegetables are obviously cheaper and taste better. There's a million more things we could do but if everyone did just these things it'd be a really good start.

Not sure if you guys have seen this, but I think it's important to hear both sides of the story.

YouTube - George Bush Global Warming Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDrq0LNrh-A)

lol growing out the soul patch

Just curious, have you guys done anything at home to be more green?

I've swapped out nearly all of my light bulbs for compact fluorescents. I noticed a difference in my electric bill right away. My wife and I are also more conscious of keeping unnecessary lights off. I also keep my heat and a/c running strong with yearly tune ups and frequent changes of the air filter. And I installed a programmable thermostat when I first moved in.

Installed new windows and doors cutting down on drafts in the house, installed a new high-efficiency furnace and high-efficiency central air unit. Installed an attic fan attached to a thermal switch, so it turns on when the attic temp gets above 80. Helps cool off the house and reduces overall electric usage in the summer.

I mainly did this stuff for the savings on my monthly expenses, rather than "going green." But it just so happens doing things more efficiently helps both the wallet and the environment. It's in everyone's best interests, really.

You guys are totally right. Let's just ignore this issue because Gore's house uses a lot of energy and keep powering the country with fossil fuels.

Actually, I did not read either in Mr. Buster's post or any of my own the suggestion of ignorance toward Al's platform. As I have stated, I have taken some action, and am in favor of many other "green" actions which I stated earlier.
HOWEVER, I would like for Al to follow his own advice, instead of "do as I say, not as I do".

Just curious, have you guys done anything at home to be more green?

I've swapped out nearly all of my light bulbs for compact fluorescents. I noticed a difference in my electric bill right away. My wife and I are also more conscious of keeping unnecessary lights off. I also keep my heat and a/c running strong with yearly tune ups and frequent changes of the air filter. And I installed a programmable thermostat when I first moved in.
Done, Done, AND done. Your backin' up.
I take my own bags to the grocery store. Have RE-weather stripped, and caulked the openings in my house. Have blinds on all the windows that stay mostly down during the day for Cooling benefits. Removed the access panels to the attic to allow greater air flow into the garage to help cool the attic. I am talking a web based weaving course for Hemp products............or at least I WILL BE IF THE SEASON DOES NOT START SOON!!!!!

Actually, I did not read either in Mr. Buster's post or any of my own the suggestion of ignorance toward Al's platform. As I have stated, I have taken some action, and am in favor of many other "green" actions which I stated earlier.
HOWEVER, I would like for Al to follow his own advice, instead of "do as I say, not as I do".

"Mr. Buster, where the f--- you at? Can't scrap or lick, so I know you got yo gat." Hilarious.

Schneed pointed this out already, but switching the source of energy production from fossil fuels to renewables means Gore can keep his house and still be green. So his energy consumption has nothing to do with this conversation. Pointing out that Gore's energy consumption is higher than usual, while usually a somewhat dishonest attempt to obfuscate an important issue, is in this case completely irrelevant.

And I love how you respect buster enough to call him Mr. but Gore is just Al. I mean, I don't care about the latter but you are seriously killing me with the Mr. Buster.

You guys are totally right. Let's just ignore this issue because Gore's house uses a lot of energy and keep powering the country with fossil fuels.

I do not for one minute think it's unreasonable for someone to question the motives of a guy that doesn't practice what he preaches. You wouldn't take weight loss advice from a guy that is 400 pounds would you?

That being said, I love what Gore is saying, just hate who is saying it. In fact, I feel that Gore hurts the cause, but then again, an argument could be made that no one else is standing up saying anything either.

Like Matty I have changed out all my light bulbs, and while I was hesitant to do so (thinking it would be duller light) it actually appears to be brighter light. If I recall, my new bulbs use around 14 watts, but put out the light of a 65 watt bulb. Plus they last a TON longer. I used to go through a bulb every 4-6 months on my back porch...I changed out to the new bulbs, and it's lasted over a year and counting. I also ride my motorcycle A LOT more (approx. 65 MPG), and walk to work occasionally (when it's not 100+ degrees). I now buy gas for my truck once every 6-8 weeks instead of every 2-3 weeks. I have also seriously considered getting solar panels put on the house, but do you have any clue how expensive that is???? Maybe the government should give a sizable rebate or something...jeesh. I have also had all the windows replaced in the house. I am amazed at how much energy was literally floating out the window!!! I am in the process of getting a new front door and back french doors as well that will help with energy issues.

Schneed pointed this out already, but switching the source of energy production from fossil fuels to renewables means Gore can keep his house and still be green.


But has he done that yet? I mean he did win a nobel peace prize, you would think that would be his first priority. I could be wrong, he might have done it and I am not aware, but the last I knew, he has not made this a priority.

Gores point is no less relevant (which is your point, I understand) but to question him is not only important, it's paramount.

You don't take advice on how to get off drugs from a crack head.