Note to David Beckham, “Watch out for the Carbon Police!”

The world’s richest soccer player, David Beckham has come under attack as one of the “environments’ biggest threats,” according to an  MSN.FoxSports.com report.  (I knew he was a threat on the soccer field, but to the  environment as well?). Citing data provided by the British environmental group, Carbon Trust, Beckham is being called on his “living large” lifestyle and jet setting ways.

 David Beckham, bad boy on and off the field?

 According to the Carbon Trust, Beckham produces  over 163 tons of green house gases per year, (compared  to the average consumer who is said to produce 9.4 tons of carbon dioxide units). How did his carbon footprint get so big? Beckham supposedly flies over 50,ooo miles a year to fulfill his contractual duties as a professional soccer player and for recreational travel, and  he owns over 15 cars and multiple houses!

This news is scary. No, I’m not referring to Beckham’s “over consumptive” ways, I’m referring to the “carbon police”  tactics used to draw attention to the cause of mitigating human impact on the environment ,by public ridicule. Is judging someone’s consumer behavior  the new way to brand a “scarlet letter“ on those who haven’t been won over to the noble cause of environmental stewardship?

 This kind of activism does more harm than good. I call it the “ McCarthy trials of the new milenneum. ” You are “red” if you are not “Green. (Red is the opposite color of green on the color wheel, so the analogy fits.) Saving the planet by character  assassination is not wise because, for the most part, people are more connected to each other than to the planet. Attack a friend, or widely admired person ; expect a backlash as they move to defend him or her.

It is noted that famous public figures  can be powerful role models, but Beckham’s critics should think before publishing the quote:

“He should use his celebrity status to make people aware of the damage that traveling can cause the planet.” a Carbon Trust spokesman said. “With his money he should be using it at least to reduce his own footprint. He has more freedom of choice when it comes to methods of traveling. He could also choose greener cars.”

Beckham is paid to “kick a ball over the goal line,” not tell us what kind of cars to drive!  Imagine if he told his adoring fans, “I am not traveling anymore to games outside of the country to do my part in saving the earth.” Beckham will lose his job, thus have fewer fans, thus much less power over the people Carbon Trust would like to see him influence.

Carbon Trust, do you really want Beckham to change his ways and be a cause for good or do you just want to punish “bad people?” Be a mensch. Invite him to a private meeting, tell him about your concerns and offer him the right hand of fellowship, not the middle finger! Your concerns are sincere, appeal to him as a human being, not public or “environmental enemy number one!”