Being Real about Celebrity Climate Hypocrisy

In America, we have been given freedom of speech. We get to choose what we believe and voice our opinions freely. One way that I practice this freedom is by yelling at the TV because the Chicago Bears lost another football game. However, when you make your beliefs public, expect to be held accountable to them. This is because no one likes hypocrites. That is why I chose to write this post on pop culture icons who fail to live up to the standards they espouse.

Celebrities, such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Katy Perry, have openly shared their belief that climate change is a crisis. DiCaprio, a self-proclaimed actor and environmentalist, has even taken time during award shows to call for action against climate change. However, many choose their comfort over their convictions. Whether for business or pleasure, the Hollywood elites travel in style. Their private jets and personal yachts produce much more carbon dioxide emissions than your daily commute.

In 2019, their hypocrisy was on full display when many attended Google’s Climate Change Camp in Palermo, Sicily. A single trans-Atlantic flight from New York to Palermo can generate up to 4.24 metric tons of CO2 (Campbell, 2019). Yet, DiCaprio, Perry, Orland Bloom, Bradley Cooper, and others got on their jets and made the trip without a second thought.

How could those so passionate about this issue fail to live up to their standards? I believe it is because everyone has a blind spot for themselves. For example, I am annoyed when others do not listen to constructive criticism. However, I frequently tune out the feedback I receive. So, what is the solution?

To frequently take introspective looks at yourself. Ask yourself, do my actions match my beliefs? Try to not live in cognitive dissonance. For his part, DiCaprio has done this. He arrived at COP26 Summit on Climate Change having flown like the average traveler, on a plane with hundreds of other people (Ross, 2021).

The adage holds, actions are louder than words. If you believe something, live it out. That is where I believe celebrities can do a lot of good. With their wealth and influence, celebrities should invest in new technology and sponsor grants for scientific research. Development of new battery technology, expansion of organic chemical usage, creation of biodegradable plastics, and reduction in production waste are a few investments that would benefit the environment and better our daily lives.

Whether or not you believe in climate change, investment in renewable processes is needed because it creates a cleaner and healthier planet for us to enjoy. Scientific advancement is the key to sustainability, not government policy. Maybe before their next speech on our imminent doom, these celebrities will be the change they want to see in the world.

References

Campbell, M. (2019, August 2). From Jets to Yachts: Is Google's Climate Change Camp

Hypocritical? Euronews. Retrieved November 13, 2021, from https://www.euronews.

com/green/2019/08/01/is-travelling-to-google-climate-change-conference-by-private-jet-

hypocritical.

Ross, M. (2021, November 3). Leonardo DiCaprio Skips Private Plane to Fly to COP26 Summit, Unlike 'Eco-Hypocrites' Jeff Bezos, Prince Charles and Bill Gates. The Mercury News. Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/11/02/leonardo-dicaprio-skips-private-plane-to-fly-to-cop26-summit-unlike-eco-hypocrites-jeff-bezos-prince-charles-and-bill-gates/.