The Golden Globes is normally an event where who wore what and who did or didn’t get overlooked.
On occasions celebrities have used their time on stage either when receiving or giving an award to raise awareness of the climate crisis, in particularly the effect it’s having with the fires in Australia. Celebrities went on to lay out what the public must do to address the issue. Now is certainly the time to vocalize the climate crisis for the poor victims who are experiencing the terrifying fires, including their fellow famous people.
The topic dominating the night was the bushfire’s raging in Australia. The fires, which have been ravaging the country began in September and have killed 20 people, destroyed thousands of buildings, killed half a billion animals and burned almost 15 million acres (the size of Wales and Scotland combined) so far this season.
The actor Russell Crowe who wasn’t able to attend to collect his Golden Globe for best actor (in a mini series) “The Loudest Voice”, a drama focusing on former Fox News CEO and Roger Aile. The actor was dealing with the tragic bushfire’s, where he lives. Instead, actress Jennifer Anniston gave a speech for him.
“Make no mistake. The tragedy unfolding in Australia is climate change-based. We need to act based on science, move our global workforce to renewable energy, and respect our planet for the unique and amazing place it is. That way, we all have a future.”
Another Australian resident shared the same view as Actress Cate Blanchett, who was nominated for her role in “Where’d You Go, Bernadette”, took her time on stage to raise awareness of the deadly fires down under and praised the volunteer firefighters who are risking their lives to combat the flames.
She said “There Is No Safe Global Warming, safety is something we all crave it’s human nature.
“I wanted to do a special call-out to the volunteer firefighters who have been at the center of fighting the climate catastrophe that is facing Australia,” she said. “And of course, when one country faces a climate disaster, we all face a climate disaster. So we’re in it together.”
It didn’t stop there with Joaquin Phoenix, who won best actor for his role in Joker. Phoenix’s tirade didn’t hold back. Targeting the rich and famous with their huge mansions, flashy wardrobes, and excessive lifestyles are in many ways worsening the climate crisis. Phoenix covered all that, calling out the rich and famous to look at their habits.
“It’s really nice that so many people have come up and sent their well wishes to Australia, but we have to do more than that,” he said. “It’s such a beautiful gesture. Together, hopefully, we can be unified and actually make some changes. It’s nice to vote, but we have to take that responsibility onto ourselves and begin changing and sacrifices in our own lives. I know that we can do that. We don’t have to take private jets to Palm Springs for the awards sometimes or back.”
This is very true, private jets output almost 40 times more carbon emissions than the commercial planes to say nothing compared to even less carbon heavy forms of traveling about such as public transport. Given rich people’s large carbon footprints, it’s a single area they could downsize.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association did their bit by serving a vegan, plant-based dinner a chilled beet soup and wild mushroom risotto, this being a first for any awards show. The Golden Globes event shined a light on the 7 gigatons of carbon released every year from raising and eating livestock. This show is a perfect time to remind each of us that though individual actions even those taken by famous people add up to an important role in fighting the climate crisis, veganism alone can’t save humans from climate change. The planet needs vast changes to our food making and transport logistics and the vegan meal is a good representation of that.
The rich and famous have a global social media platform to not just focus awareness on global warming but to take action as well. Which will involve donating millions of dollars as Leonardo DiCaprio has done, but it’s important to take steps to do our part and overhauling the system at large that allows this kind of wasteful behavior to begin with.
Another aspect of eco friendly behavior, were celebrities choosing to use their Golden Globes looks as political statements by recycling their dresses and tuxedos in the name of sustainability. Whilst talking at a press conference after the award ceremony, Golden Globe winner Phoebe Waller-Bridge told reporters that she would use her custom black and gold suit as a means to raise money for Australia. “We’ve hatched an amazing plan with Ralph & Russo who are the Australian designers that created this incredible couture suit,” Waller-Bridge said. “We’re going to auction it and the money that is raised from it will go towards relief in Australia. It’s a beautiful idea from the team, so I’m really excited to be a part of that.”
