Hybrid driving DiCaprio takes on global warming
Yesterday, LEONARDO DiCAPRIO told an Oprah Winfrey audience that "Global warming is not only the number one environmental issue that we're facing today, but one of the most important issues facing all of humanity." (more)DiCaprio, who has bought several hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius, is working with Dr. Michael Oppenheimer, Princeton University professor, to promote a new documentary called Global Warming.
Unfortunately, while I applaud Mr. DiCaprio, it seems that much of Middle America just doesn't want to hear this message coming from Hollywood. Most Americans are willing to acknowledge the harm that pollution is causing, and I think even a majority of Americans are even willing to entertain the idea of global warming. Yet, many Americans just don't trust the voices coming from Hollywood.
And who can blame them? When the likes of Ben Affleck make strong political statements, but don't vote, how can they be taken seriously? Nonetheless, I wish Leo well. Regardless of whether global warming is real or not, shouldn't reducing pollution ALWAYS be a goal?
Still, I wish Leo would do more than buy a few hybrid cars and put together a documentary. When push comes to shove, Hollywood has money, actors have money. What does the average American have but a lot of bills?
Start a solar company or an experimental hybrid car company. Lead a revolution. Don't play Howard Hughes, be like Howard Hughes.
That's a lot to ask of anyone, but if Hollywood really wants people to listen, it's going to take a lot more than a documentary. It's going to take a lot more than songs like American idiot.
Still, why shouldn't big energy help with global warming? When Exxon Mobil can profit $10 billion in one quarter, while Royal Dutch Shell profits $9 billion in the same quarter - isn't it time for some corporate responsibility? (NyTimes)
Watch the documentary Global Warming
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Labels: global warming, Hybrid Vehicles, prius, toyota
posted by Dahcredyns at
1:20 PM
6 Comments:
I don't suppose you've read this: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Leonardo-DiCaprio-About-Global-Warming-11225.shtml
I have read that story, that's why I made my post. My (more) link in the first paragraph links to the same story.
The text in the link I posted is slightly different from yours. I think if you read it you won't be making the same comment about how you wish "Leo would do more than buy a few hybrid cars and put together a documentary."
Why would that make me change my comments?
I wouldn't call an ecohotel in a place where only the rich and elite can visit much of a step - if that's what you are talking about - and it certainly isn't a Howard Hughes type of effort.
Besides, sustainable living is being proven by everyday people all over the United States. Check out the ecoCommunity near Taos, for example - that is far more revolutionary and impactful than a eco-hotel.
Instead of an ecohotel, how about a community of eco-houses for the poor? Even that, unfortunately, still won't change America's perception, but it would be much more impactful than a ecohotel and it would help invest in sustainable living technologies.
What I'm talking about is the kind of leadership that someone like Burt Rutan has shown. SpaceShipOne, for example, is a Howard Hughes type effort that accomplished what many thought was impossible. That accomplishment changed the perception of many.
I am sorry, but I can't equate an ecohotel to that event - not even close. What is an ecohotel outside of the U.S. going to do to get the average American inspired to do something about global warming?
Please understand that I am not criticizing Leo in anyway. I applaud him for his efforts.
Still, it is a fact that the average American just doesn't care about global warming, despite the predictions of some of the world's best scientists.
Someone like Leo could get behind a brand, a brand that the average American could get behind. A brand that pushes some kind of product that gets the average American to take some kind of alternative action as part of the fight against global warming - say some kind of solar product, or a plug-in kit for Prii. Unfortunately, such a brand just might not successfully exist without someone like Leo - at least at this point in time.
I noted in my blog that that was a lot to ask anyone, and I am not trying to belittle Leo's efforts. He is accomplishing far more than most and I applaud him for his efforts, but getting America to take global warming seriously is going to take something far more revolutionary.
Ultimately, my post really isn't about what Leo could do, rather it is about what I believe it will take to force America to get serious about what I also believe might be the most important issue facing America and the world.
When push comes to shove, someone like Leo has far more ability to make that revolution occur than most.
I happen to believe that any RICH Person should be helping to fix the systems that most of the World's Civilizations are demolishing. May that be global warming or poverty it really doesnt matter. It's really nice to see that Leo has plans for a Hotel, but in my mind I wonder why he must he make an Eco Hotel when he could make an Eco Apartment, or whatever. People sit most of the time in an Apartment and not a Hotel. Many People from all over the world Can't even afford to pay the bills for their Apartments so they Freeze to death... OR take France for example, not too long ago where they Dehydrated to death. I really don't believe that Any wealthy people will help very much because they consider themselves, something, most of us don't understand...but what we do understand is they are "Spokes-people" when they are buying Hybrids. My mom and dad have a Hybrid...they aren't rich to any degree but they found a reason to buy a hyrbid. Leo needs to be more than a Toyota Spokesperson to go on Opera and speak Green. Most of us are all doing that...look at your blog, look at my blog, look at...The many people now who blog about it because it is now hybrids are older news, that is new again, because people are freaking about the gas Prices. :)
Whistler,
A big ecoApartment in Hollywood - that would be pretty cool.
At least Leo is addressing global warming and oil dependency, rather than just bitching about Bush and Iraq.
Still, the rich do need to do FAR more.
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