On the 23 of June, I had the opportunity to attend the Friends of Trees Conference in Barcelona. It has taken me a few weeks to digest all the information, which I, together with about 900 other people managed to inhale: The fumes of change, the organic revolution, the climate crisis, the need for solidarity and action. It was a most overwhelming task: and Al Gore's redundant joke of: "I used to be the next president of the United States," has hardly helped ease the intensity of the situation.
The crowds clapped at every comment made by the speakers, who endlessly praised each other for their wonderful efforts in shaping the future of our environment. Yet my impressions of the entire event were so off-putting, that is until I listened to a most articulate and powerful Indian woman with a soothing voice and right hook dialogue, called Vandana Shiva. Her genuine commitment to the preservation of the planet, her emotional personal descriptions of the non-violent Chipko movement during the 1970s in the Uttarakhand region of India, her open dialogue about corrupt multinationals and unjust wars, and her inspiring leadership abilities should serve as an example to the rest of the world.
'Saving the environment' has become the latest trend in western societies, the new toy of the rich and privileged; this is something I would certainly not object to, if the consequences were not so devastating for those who have fought for environmental values for decades with the social stigma of being labelled with all kind of degrading labels, tree huggers and the likes. I am not a 'tree hugger' myself, however over the years I have spent a lot of time with many who are, people who have that characteristic innate in their nature, in their love for humanity, the environment; frankly, Al Gore hardly qualifies as one.
One can never be too sure about making the right judgment about a particular individual and the motives driving him or her into carrying out a particular action, however in the case of Al Gore, the whole staging of his persona as a born-again conscientious human being, seems a little opportunistic in the global game of personal positioning. One would undoubtedly argue after listening to his eloquent speech, which he repeats word for word in every country to which he is invited, that he represents the true values of western democracy: quotes from Genesis, respect for nature, concern for the people suffering due to the drastic changes affecting our climate, and added to that, the fact that he does this in representation of altruistic values.
I agree. Indeed, Al Gore's efforts to save us all from the melting
glaciers, the raising water levels, increasing number of tornados and
stronger Tsunamis, together with his quotes from Genesis, are a true
representation of western democratic values; however, for me, these
western democratic values are represented in the double standards, and
strategic omission of relevant information. In fact, I would argue that
there is a very much probable imperialistic agenda hidden behind the
façade of these 'humanitarian' initiatives.
Al Gore represents the birth of the 21st Century altruist; he is a man
who has no time to waste for the world is collapsing and there is no
time to accumulate wealth; indeed it's time to 'give back' to humanity,
to make change, now, and to affective drastic action; thus, we are all
expected to listen to him, count our "carbon footprint" and then plant
a tree.
But to make it a tad more interesting, maybe it would be motivating for
the public in the next theatrical event which he stages, to be informed
of the fact that him and his crew can only travel first class, and only
sleep in top-tier hotels. Equally, maybe it would be interesting for
the public to know, that a list of the cities’ dignitaries presiding
the event has to be presented in advance, in order for him to evaluate
whether it is worth his time to speak to the rest of us, the ones
paying for the event.
Then perhaps he could've discussed his own "carbon foot print" during
his 2000 United States presidential campaign in which, according to
publicly accessible information during the period between January of
1999 and January of 2000, he reimbursed five groups and corporations
for 16 flights on private jets. After all, flying around in private
jets does more than four times the carbon emission damage to the
environment than flying a regular commercial jet. Speaking of his
political career, it's rather telling that Al Gore did very little for
the environment when he served as Clinton's vice President for 8 years;
it's bewildering that we are expected to believe that the man who
failed to contribute much to this pressing global concern as,
presumably, the second most powerful man in the world, can do much now
as a predictable speaker with a redundant joke.
Finally to end his future speeches he could perhaps mention something
about the launch in late 2004 of the investment firm Generation
Investment Management LLP, which he chairs, and seeks out companies
taking a 'responsible' view on big global issues like climate change.
Al Gore's environmentalism is the most fashionable trend in today's
investment world and the man knows well that a lot of money can be
reaped from his trendy humanism.
I don't claim that Al Gore tells lies, or that there isn't some good
coming out of his efforts, but I guess all that I am asking for is just
a bit of respect. The next time I sit in a hall to listen to someone
who is championing, building and capitalising on a new and hip
industry, I would like to know his true intentions in advance. I am
truly glad, that Vandana Shiva as a 'less prominent' speaker holding
the 1994 alternative Nobel price, was there to remind us of the fact
that although planting a tree is always a good thing, the real
environmental change will only take place when greed, extortion and
theft are eradicated from human behaviour.
Without her speech I would not discard asking for reimbursement.
-Pablo Ouziel has international experience in Business Development
and Corporate Communications having worked from London and New York,
developing communications strategies and dealing with investor
relations for many world leading companies. He was also co-founder of
Latinia Corporation and Appareo Corporation, and currently is CEO of
Can Poeti SL, a branding communications company which he runs together
with his wife, and focuses on supporting projects around the globe in
the areas of sustainability, ecology and health. Pablo also sits on the
Board of Directors of Mas Claperol, the oldest organic dairy farm in
Catalunya, Spain.
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