Over the past weekend Beth and I attended the Environmental Media Awards held at the Warner Bros Lot. To some this might not make sense. What’s a libertarian doing at a such Hollywood green event? Libertarians are green. It’s just not easy being our kind of green.
This was a very Hollywood sort of event. With all the hybrids there it was one of the quietest valet drop offs I’ve ever used. This was the place to be seen in your Prius but then there we were in our Ford Escape hybrid all wrapped as the campaign car. From the service items, to the filtered water served- senza plastic bottles, to the organic food and even the “healthy” vodka being served, it was all very green. The guests of honor included notables such as Ted Turner, his ex, Jane Fonda and the quintessential Hollywood greenie, Ed Begley Jr..
This definitely was not a place for the politically timid. It was however a great place to be a libertarian, more than I could have expected.
For a quick take on the libertarian environmental philosophy, it boils down to promoting the power of the market and to defending property rights. Check out these links for more information: Libertarian Party on Environment and Environment | Libertarian Party and Platform | Libertarian Party
In practice, I think the libertarian approach to environmental management and best use polices are exemplified by groups like the Surf Riders Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, the Sierra Mountain Conservancy. Imagine how much more effective it would be if others like the Sierra Club or the World Wildlife Fund were focussed not on raising millions to influence government but instead spent their efforts on land purchases and management.
But I digress.
Even I though, thought that my take on being green would be ignored at the EMA. The first minutes proved me wrong.
EMA President, Debbie Levin, concluded in her opening remarks and I’ll paraphrase, “we can’t trust Washington to do the right thing. We can’t control everything but we do control how we spend our money. That influences companies….”
Then the main corporate sponsor continued the libertarian approach. Senior VP of Toyota Motor North America, Dian Ogilvie, emphasized that the company was committed to bringing to market not just a great selection of models, but more importantly the largest variety of “green” solutions of any auto manufacturer. She emphasized it’s about providing different options on green- electric, hybrid and hydrogen.
Then came the biggest surprise. Ted Turner received the Lifetime Achievement Award. That’s not it. He was introduced by Jane Fonda. Here it comes. Jane, in pointing out his accomplishments in using the media to raise environmental awareness made much of Ted’s putting his money where his mouth is. Ms. Fonda laid out how thorough and passionate Mr. Turner is as the conservator of his lands. She summed it all up by saying to the effect that she guessed this must be what real conservation looks like.
OK, there was plenty of the expected Hollywood vacuous comments. Ted Turner said all sorts of great things but then ended lamenting the Senate was not doing enough. James Cameron, after winning for Avatar whined on about big Texas oil companies’ support for Prop 23 that would temporarily suspend the Ca. Climate Final Solution Bill, while conveniently ignoring the even bigger money from the single solar energy investor funding his side the no on 23 group. Nonetheless, the overall tenor of the evening had surprisingly strong libertarian under tones which were music to my political ears.
What an election year. From the “right” and the “left” people are getting it. The classic liberalism of our founding fathers: reliance on individual liberty, support of market solutions and the importance of a limited government is as powerful as ever.
I’m ready for a little political revolution this November 2. How about you?
So this is where I better make it clear, I never did get to that “healthy” vodka.
Beginning October 23, you can catch the event out yourself at http://www.youtube.com/user/NationalGeographic
