honeybadgerpress.ca

In Defense of Celebrities - Hollywood Red Herrings Dipped in Crude Oil

As published in the Toronto Star and the Hill Times: January 23, 2017.

Celebrities like Neil Young, Leonardo Di Caprio and lately, Jane Fonda are frequently insulted and maligned by oil sands supporters when these "stars" dare to mention the negative aspects of fossil fuel extraction and offer sustainable alternatives. Their luxurious lives and jetsetter travel are emphasized to reinforce accusations of hypocrisy. Further, the celebrities are dismissed as ignorant on the subject of climate change and indifferent to the welfare of oil workers and their families.

It’s safe to predict that these same oil sands boosters would heap uncritical praise on any wealthy movie star or musician willing to publicly support unlimited fossil fuel extraction. This leads me to conclude that the real sin of celebrity critics is not scientific ignorance or hypocrisy but merely daring to express a contrary opinion during difficult times.

I might add that Alberta's situation need not have been so strained. The province once considered using oil royalties to create a Norwegian-style public fund to draw upon in hard times. Advocates of short-term profit prevailed; Ralph Klein and later premiers drained the fund and working people are now encouraged to turn vocal celebrities into Hollywood Red Herrings.