In a speech at Georgetown University yesterday, Governor Schwarzenegger said that environmentalism needs better sex appeal if it is going to make a relevant impact on the world. I believe that the Governor is on to something in his critique of a movement that has become a frightening religion to many.

The Governator said, “There’s a tipping point, and I believe the tipping point will be occurring when the environmental movement is no longer seen as a nag or as a scold, but as a positive force in people’s lives….

So the new environmental movement is not about guilt, it’s not about fringe, and it’s not about being overwhelmed by the enormity of the problem, but it is about mainstream momentum … We have to make it mainstream. We have to make it sexy. We have to make it attractive so that everyone wants to participate.”

It is easy to figure out how to give an electric car sex appeal- you just make it faster. But what about a plain old carbon offset certificate? Unfortunately, the “loud and proud” mindset that is written into many environmental bumper stickers will only encourage more division than participation. Hopefully more clear standards and transparency in the voluntary carbon marketplace will translate into what the governor calls better “sex appeal.”