You can call him Al

Happy birthday, Mr. Gore. Former vice president, Nobel peace price winner, and environmental crusader Al Gore turns 60 on Monday.

Those of us who care about the planet have Gore to thank for making global warming an everyday public concern. His book and movie, An Inconvenient Truth, woke people up to the fact that we are causing climate change, and that we can do something about it.

A few naysayers picked apart specifics about the movie's claims, but the majority of credible scientists agree that human activity -- especially burning fossil fuels -- is damaging the earth and has serious consequences.

Let's celebrate Gore's birthday by making sure to do our part for the environment. If you haven't already...

• Swap a few incandescent light bulbs with more efficient CFLs


• Adjust your thermostat and water heater to use less energy


• Don't idle in your car


• Enjoy tap water, not bottled water


• Carpool to work once or twice a week


• Get off junk mail lists

Add a little more green living to your routine every week, and when Gore is another year older, you'll have made a positive climate change of your own.