I didn’t even know MTV had a “Green Crusade.” But apparently (or at least according to TMZ), the media monolith that used to, well, actually play music videos is all green up in here.

The closest thing I could actually find to such a thing is this “MTV Switch” website. After you learn to resist the natural wrist-slashing urge from that satanic theme song, you’ll realize it’s just a lame eco-portal consisting mainly of  lame automated links to Ecorazzi and Inhabitat.

Still, if MTV is on the environmental bandwagon, it’s going to have a hard time explaining how its latest Real World/Road Rules Challenge series, titled “The Island,” apparently turned a pristine part of Panama into a tropical garbage dump.

Recreational tree-climber Joe Maher and photographer Michael Drake caught ‘em in the act and cataloged the aftermath — not to mention the phony illusion of “wilderness” that you’re seeing on the trailer above:

A large plot of rainforest had been cleared, a pristine Caribbean beach had been trashed, and the creators had simply packed up and left. A family of what appeared to be “squatters” had already moved into one of the buildings left behind.

So just what have we had here?

First, a crowd of people that have shown no respect at all for local culture and custom, their attitude proclaiming the idea that “We are more important than any of you, don’t need you, and can do whatever we want. We don’t even have to acknowledge your presence.”

Second, a TV entity that wants to fool the world with a reality show supposedly taking place on a deserted and remote tropical island, that, in fact, has houses within several hundred yards on either side of their production site, and is on an island that is the hottest tourist spot in almost all of Panama.

Third, a group that leaves its trash on the side of the road with no regard for the natural beauty of the place.

Fourth, a group that will indiscriminately cut down whatever part of the forest is necessary in order to accommodate its objective, whether for construction or simply because it might be in the way.

Fifth, A group that set foot and conducted activities on a small and protected island without regard for the fact that the island has been declared “off-limits” to human visitation.

Sixth, their low-flying helicopter and airplane was a serious interruption of the tranquility of the forest. There are a lot of monkeys and birds inhabiting this part of the forest and every time the helicopter would come over, these local residents would become seriously agitated. I doubt that MTV knew, or cared, that these animals were there.

Seventh, they left without cleaning up the mess they had created.

Eighth, they did all of this with the obvious cooperation of the Policia Nacional.

Ninth, MTV’s behavior in this situation has been rampantly inconsistent with their self-proclaimed “MTV Green Crusade”. I sense a bit of hypocrisy and I question their commitment toward being “green”.

And I thought the only fake things on MTV were the boobs, the singing voices, and the rappers’ street-thug autobiographies. Silly me.