Extinction Rebellion has called out celebrities for hypocrisy in the ongoing debate surrounding climate change, and a collection of more than one hundred artists have responded by agreeing with the environmental action group.
“Dear journalists who have called us hypocrites, you’re right,” opens the letter that was signed by high-profile personalities like Thom Yorke, David Byrne, Robert Del Naja (a.k.a. 3-D) of Massive Attack, U2’s Adam Clayton, Neil Gaiman, Alfonso Cuarón, Disclosure, Jarvis Cocker, Brian Eno, Mel B, and Jason Pierce of Spiritualized.
“We live high carbon lives and the industries that we are part of have huge carbon footprints. Like you—and everyone else—we are stuck in this fossil-fuel economy and without systemic change, our lifestyles will keep on causing climate and ecological harm.”
The letter goes on to point out the far bigger issue is that “life on Earth is dying,” and suggests the focus needs to be on what can be done to halt that destruction.
“The stories that you write calling us climate hypocrites will not silence us,” the letter continues. “The media exists to tell the public the truth. Right now there has never been a more urgent need for you to educate yourselves on the CEE (Climate and Ecological Emergency) and to use your voices to reach new audiences with the truth. We invite all people with platforms and profiles to join us and move beyond fear, to use your voices fearlessly to amplify the real story.”
Read the letter and see the impressive full list of signatures here.
