Is Al Gore an enviro-hypocrite?

It’s a fine line between dodging conservative bullets about “nanny state paternalism” on the one hand, and giving a pass to jet-setters, on the other.

It’s arguable that Gore is falling too much to the second side, though.

When we point out that David Beckham has recently been given the dubious title of having the worst carbon footprint in history — clocking up enough air miles to fly to the moon and owning 15 gas-guzzling cars, Mr Gore shifts uncomfortably in his seat.

He knows what is coming next.

When asked what he would say to the football icon — a hero to millions — about his impact on the environment, Gore refuses to be drawn.

He gives a huge belly-laugh at the notion that Posh and Becks could invest in an environmentally-friendly hybrid car such as a Toyota Prius.

He careful considers his answer before saying: “I don’t think that’s my place. I don’t want to get into personally criticising anyone.”

It’s a charge that has been levied against Obama in the past. And, we know who owns Great Britain’s Sun.

Rupert Murdoch could be more honest and just write an op-ed instead of this type of journalism, right?

Well, on the other hand, shouldn’t Gore be preaching to the unelected rich and famous as well as the elected? Whether they should be or not, we expect athletes, and actors and such, to be role models. And, whether we want them to be or not, they often become some sort of polestar to adults, not just children.

So, yes, if Al Gore thinks global warning is that serious (as I do), and he thinks it serious enough to scold George W. Bush, he should scold David Beckham, too.