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Celeb’s insist they're trying to save the planet, so Hollywood's green celebrities are seething over criticism of their muddled environmental activism. (http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,10221,20667781-7485,00.html?from=public_rss)

Sunday Times - Oct. 29, 2006

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Clooney_s_Tango.jpg
Clooney in front of his Tango but travels by private Jet across the globe?

THEY insist they're trying to save the planet, so Hollywood's green celebrities are seething over criticism of their muddled environmental activism.

The latest targets of the internet critics are stars who drive electric or hybrid cars - and then hop on to private jets to fly around the world.

The environment has become one of Hollywood's most fashionable causes, with many stars abandoning limousines at film premieres and favouring cars with low fuel consumption.

But several of the movie industry's biggest names have fallen foul of internet sleuths who have contrasted their eco-friendly driving habits with their fondness for private aircraft.

Julia Roberts was reported by the TMZ film buffs' website last week to be the owner of a Toyota Prius, the first commercially produced car with a hybrid electric-petrol engine.

But TMZ also noted that Roberts travelled by private jet from Chicago to Los Angeles, consuming 9545 litres of aviation fuel.

Other Prius drivers with a fondness for private jets include Jennifer Lopez and Brad Pitt. The latter's recent private jet charter to Namibia with his lover, Angelina Jolie, burnt an estimated 50,000 litres of air fuel - "enough to take a Prius to the moon", said TMZ.

George Clooney, one of Hollywood's most outspoken liberal activists, owns an electric minicar called a Tango, which drives 215km on a full battery.

But he recently took a private jet to Tokyo, a 8850km trip which consumed 31,800 litres of fuel.

However, Clooney's spokesman said the actor often had no control over his travelling schedule, which was dictated by studio commitments.

Leonardo DiCaprio was one of the first celebrities to drive a Prius. He was also the latest star to fall foul of critical scrutiny when The New York Post reported that he flew his mother, grandmother and girlfriend from Paris to Rome in a private jet for the Italian premiere of his latest film, The Departed.

Defenders of celebrity greens argue that the attention they bring to eco-issues is worth the ideological confusion, but others are less convinced.

"If they flew on regular airlines they might be forgiven," said a contributor to TMZ.

"But flying private jets make them look like idiots."

I remember once in 1973, then President Nixon flew on a commercial plane to save gas. It was not practicle to do on a recurring basis.

I do think some of these celebs should make an effort to fly commercial some of the time, but might understand it might not always work.

Yes, I wonder about some of them "walking the talk".

I agree but also try to keep in mind that a reduction is a reduction. Unless, of course, the reduction in one area leads to an increase in another.

I have never been a big fan of "big bang" implementations. I've witnessed it in corporate environments with software implementations and watched them fail miserably. What I'm saying is that if people rethink their cars today then perhaps tomorrow they will rethink their planes. And after they rethink their planes, then perhaps they will rethink their extravagant homes. And hopefully it will build.

I drive a hybrid. I recycle. I own a house that's just big enough for my wife and me and keep the thermostat relatively low.
But I don't collect rainwater in a cistern and use it to flush the toilets. I don't exclusively purchase clothes made of 100% natural fibers. I don't march in environmental demonstrations on Capital Hill.
Am I confused, a hypocrite, or in denial?

I kind of feel the same way. I generaly would love to attack celebrities putting on a show. But the instances they mention didn't seem to be too over the top to me.

Like it or not Celebrities can't always just hop on a comercial plane though they could pay for a commercial ticket for some of their relatives that aren't well known.

Tony,

You are starting to take action - that's the main thing.

Was in an arguement with a Hummer lover that was giving me the 3rd degree on if I lived off the grid, hand an electric lawn mover, etc. Childish black-and-white arguement I hear too much on the airwaves.

The question is not "are you doing everything you possibly can?" - it's "are you addressing the problem".

Millions of golfers are improving their game, but few are aspiring to be as good as Tiger Woods. Most of us try to look good, knowing we won't be on the cover of GQ or Vogue. It's improvement - not perfection.

This site is about driving and FE--THIS is what we do here to contribute to the cause. Some can push the boundaries very effectively.

Asking why they don't do other things like recycle, or solar panels is like saying Itzhak Perlman isn't that great a musician because he doesn't play the banjo.