I don’t know if Al Gore had anything to do with this, but the Ford Motor Company and some of its biggest environmentalist critics are forging a friendship.

Environmentalists have been pressuring the major auto manufacturers to clean up their proverbial acts for several years. But did you know that Ford’s chairman is actually a self-described environmentalist, too?

Maybe that’s why the automaker is taking such great strides to be friends with others who love the environment. Last week, officials announced that Ford would work even harder to curb greenhouse-gas emissions from Ford vehicles and factories.

Neither group released any specifics of the agreement, but Ford has had plans in the works for months to improve the efficiency and cleanliness of its vehicles in the near future. Creating lighter vehicles and offering cleaner engines are only two things in the works.

If you ask me, it seems like much ado about nothing. Just last week, the Environmental Protection Agency gave the Ford Motor Company an award in recognition of its dedication to the environment. Ford reduced the greenhouse-gas emissions in its factories by nearly five percent in 2007 alone. And this is the third year in a row in which Ford received the prestigious honor for “cleaning up its act.” How much more do the environmentalists want?

Maybe they should focus on the companies that aren’t doing anything to help the environment instead of concentrating on the ones who are actively searching for more ways to be part of the solution. But that’s just my opinion. What do you think?