Ironically enough, political opposition to building more dams comes from the same crowd of tree huggers who oppose coal, gas and uranium.

FORBES: Waxman-Markey Flunks Math

It is at least worth noting, however, that forest people are not always the tree-huggers they are cracked up to be.

ECONOMIST: Will REDD trample on the rights of traditional forest folk?

"I don't have any problem with tree-huggers, " he said.

WSJ: Fight Over Fluoridated Water Splits Portland's Left

Environmental Defense was accused of selling out, while the fast-food retailer, which had previously had a reputation for hostility to green causes, was chided by some of its peers for allowing tree-huggers into the boardroom.

ECONOMIST: Business and NGOs