What do Kermit the Frog, capitalists and conservationists have in common? Not technically alliteration with the K in there, but they do share one thing among them – - it’s not easy being green. Each finds themselves under siege every day.

The price of oil is at its highest level yet and bound to go higher. It isn’t supply that is at play here, either. Demand and use are at an all time high, and bound to go higher as new markets emerge and grow worldwide. Oil companies and everyone who makes their living in any industry that is oil-related or oil-fueled want to drill and build new refineries anywhere they can. There’s money to be made forever, it would seem, with guilt-free over consumption in the US, and China and India introducing the pleasure of driving to tens of millions in the next few decades. Demand will not go down, frankly, and that is music to a capitalist’s ears.

The US Congress stands in the way of that drilling, though, and therein lies the rub. Congress, and the states, actually. Well, Congress, the states and conservationists, who will not want to risk oily shores and dead birds and destroyed fishing grounds and open land stripped clean. Conservationists see that as the battle of the now and long term future, and fear the well-funded political effort of the capitalists to force those risks upon the environment.

Every once in a while, though, someone steps up with courage to put his money where his mouth is. Loe and behold, it’s an oil capitalist, T. Boone Pickens, with television ads and tens of millions of dollars to offer leadership in the development of oil-alternative energy. Who would have thought such a thing possible?

His timing is perfect, too. It shines a spotlight on the concurrent lack of leadership from Mr. Happy with his symbolic and hollow gesture yesterday to lift the offshore oil drilling ban imposed by his father in a 1990 Executive Order. That EO had followed the devastating oil spill along the California coast the previous year.

Energy from Pickens’ wind farms will be available sooner than will be the energy from any offshore or Alaskan oil drilling, and will do more in the short term to reduce US reliance on foreign oil. It’s a renewable source of energy, and so it will help in the long term as well. Admittedly, it’s only one effort, but perhaps it will inspire others to join the frey and invest in the development of other alternative sources to further that fight for energy independence. The fact that it is environmentally friendly is an added bonus.

Green isn’t easy. The capitalists like profit, and want to preserve and enhance income. Conservationists put the environment first, and want to preserve the planet. Each of them has a fight on their hands. If Pickens can show each side a little success, though – - an alternative, renewable energy source that can make him money – - green can become a little easier.

Kermit found it hard being green. As the market tumbles, capitalists are finding it hard to stay green. As long as the US has no true leadership from its president, conservationists will continue finding it hard to go green.  Being green, staying green, going green – - the sooner they all become one and the same, the better off we will be.  Let’s hope we can hang on long enough.