Radio personalities: Here are some questions you could have asked the next time Al Gore ignores your request for an interview

Questions for Al Gore about his book "An Inconvenient Truth":

1. On page 307, you suggest that we "wash our dishes by hand" and "use a clothesline to dry our clothes instead of the dryer".

In the past year, how many times have you washed your dishes by hand or used a clothesline to dry your clothes?

2. On page 309, you suggest that we unplug our appliances when we're not using them to reduced standby power waste.

Do you routinely do this with your own appliances?

3. On page 311, you advise us to "reduce the number of miles you drive by walking, biking, carpooling, or taking mass transit whenever possible".

In the past year, what percentage of your own travel was accomplished through walking, biking, carpooling or mass transit?

4. On page 313, you encourage us to take the bus because "buses provide the cheapest and most energy-efficient transportation for long distances".

In the past year, how much of your own long-distance travel was done via bus?

5. On page 314, you say:

Energy is consumed in the manufacturing and transport of everything you buy, which means there are fossil-fuel emissions at every stage of production. A good way to reduce the amount of energy you use is simply to buy less. Before making a purchase, ask yourself if you really need it. Can you make do with what you already have? Can you borrow or rent? Can you find the item secondhand?

Did you ask yourself these questions before you purchased your huge new houseboat? What were the answers?

6. On page 316, you write: "Make a point to carry a reusable bag with you when you shop, and when you're asked "paper or plastic?" you can say, "Neither."

Do you personally carry a reusable bag with you when you shop?

7. Also on page 16, you encourage us to compost kitchen scraps.

Do you personally compost your own kitchen scraps?

8. On that same page, you advise us to carry our own refillable bottle for water and other beverages.

Do you personally do this?

9. On page 317, you encourage us to modify our diet to include less meat.

Do you personally do this?

10. On page 318, you write "as much as possible, buy from local farmers' markets or from community-supported agricultural cooperatives."

In the past year, what percentage of your own food did you purchase from local farmers' markets?