The Audacity of Copenhagen

Perhaps you have heard that there is a climate change summit taking place in Copenhagen. Thousands of zealots flew in on private jets, renting so many limos that more had to be brought in from neighboring countries, and expending tremendous amounts of carbon . . all for a summit. Undoubtedly many of those attending the summit will justify their journey by saying what they are doing now, while perhaps contributing to the crisis, will ultimately contribute more by saving the planet. In other words, their motives and their work is so pure and holy that it really doesn't matter whether they are being hypocritical. The ends justify the means. This work is so important that we cannot be caught up in trivial issues. And it is so important that we meet in person rather than have our summit through more modern and "green" means, such as online. Imagine that, everyone sacrifices for the sake of the earth by staying home and having their summit online.

This is the same argument Al Gore uses. His work and his message is so important that he must travel all over the world so he can personally deliver it. There is no other way around it. People want to hear from him (hard for me to believe, but apparently true), and they want to hear him in person. All of this does make sense. Just like it makes sense for someone to travel cross country to personally be at their best friend's wedding. Just like it makes sense for a company to pull together it's managers for several days of workshops and training. Just like it makes sense for a family to fly to Florida for spring vacation. In other words, we all have our own reasons for being somewhere in person. We all have our own reasons for traveling, which inevitably, expends carbon; and according to the zealots, inevitably will destroy the earth.

For Al and his friends, their preference would be for you and me to give all of that up, to make our own personal sacrifices. We can no longer freely come and go wherever we want, however we want. But not for Al, or his friends. Flying to Copenhagen for a summit is okay. It is holy after all. Family vacation . . business trip . . not so holy. I think many people would beg to differ.