Question of the Week: Do celebrities who champion the environment influence your decision making, and if so, how?
Posted on August 11th, 2008 - 10:30 AMEach week we ask a question related to the environment. Please let us know your thoughts as comments. Feel free to respond to earlier comments or post new ideas. Previous questions.
Many people feel that protecting the environment is important. Celebrities sometimes use their high public recognition to raise awareness for causes they support: for example, things you should do (or not do) to protect the environment.
Do celebrities who champion the environment influence your decision making, and if so, how?
En español: Cada semana hacemos una pregunta relacionada al medio ambiente. Por favor comparta con nosotros sus pensamientos y comentarios. Siéntase en libertad de responder a comentarios anteriores o plantear nuevas ideas. Preguntas previas.
Muchas personas consideran que la protección ambiental es importante. A veces las celebridades usan su renombre público para crear conciencia sobre causas que ellos apoyan, por ejemplo, las cosas que se deben hacer (o no hacer) para proteger el medio ambiente.
¿Las personas que abogan por el medio ambiente influyen la toma de sus decisiones? ¿De ser así, cómo lo hacen?
Tags: celebrity, environmental awareness, Question of the Week, Spanish
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Question of the Week
August 11th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Probably. It certainly doesn’t hurt my pro-environmental actions when I see Daryl Hannah promoting environmentally friendly goods. Celebrities make environmentalism appear cool and sexy when the reality is that being a good environmentalist sometimes involves activities that are anything but glamorous, such as taking public transportation, hauling waste to the recycling center, and tolerating a little more heat indoors. The problem with celebrity promotions is that people tend not to believe that these folks are in touch with the realities and challenges faced by average folk. Whether or not this is true , that sense of disconnect runs the risk of undermining the environmental message.
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August 11th, 2008 at 11:44 am
I’ve been very concerned about the environment for many years and was very pleased when I first learned of Ed Begley Jr’s commitment. As for the other coming out now, I am thankful they are getting attention drawn to the problems and solutions.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
No, not particularly. Neighbors and peers would be much more influential. I tend not to think of celebreties as particularyly well informed on topics (not to say they couldn’t be)
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
I doesn’t influence my desicion making, because I have been trying to be as environmentally friendly as possible for years. However I think that it is positive for the cause. Many people are influenced by celebrities and when they do use their celebrity for a good cause people pay attention. But people need to look at whether these celebrities are following through on their word. Do they just say this or that or are they living that way.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
absolutley NOT!!!!!!!!!
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
The celebrities do not influence me as they are among the biggest wasters there are. They make me sick.
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laura reply on August 18, 2008 4:23 pm:
agreed!
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
No, celebrities do not affect my decisions. I make up my own mind, based on the facts. But it is nice to know who also cares about that specific environmental issue.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
No
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
It has been my opinion over the years that celebrities use their visibility just to advocate a special interest viewpoint without any facts to back up their claims. Their credibility is shot. Just as with most elected officials, celebrities only want to promote themselves and really don’t care much about you and I.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
No Way!!!! You should have a belief based on what you beleive, not an over paid actor.
Do the research on your own, do you really thinkI would follow some of these drunks / drug abusers??????
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Absolutely not!
As a general rule, I question everything that group has to say given their propensity for duplicitoueness. I will admit that some of them are genuine, work hard, and do a fine job at fighting for the cause.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Celebrities do not influence my decisions to “do the right thing” and I can safely say that I make my own decisions to be as environmentally conscience and green as possible.
With that being said, I think that we need celebrities to set positive examples for the younger generation. I believe they (celebrities) have a responsibility to the younger generation as they are the ones the kids look up to.
We all need to make a personal commitment to keep our planet safe and if star status is the way to get there - then so be it.
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Joan reply on August 12, 2008 1:12 pm:
I totally agree with you. It may not say much for our society, but for good or ill, actors and athletes may be the only role models some youngsters have. If these public service announcements influence even a few people to be more environmentally responsible, then I say let ‘em go for it!
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Please, please, please let there be more people saying no. As in “h”-no (rhymes with bell). So many celebrities display an abundance of ignorance and often do many things in direct contradiction of what they espouse to support. There is nothing wrong with doing things to protect the environment, but this should be something that comes from your own motivation. And regardless of what most celebrities are doing (or saying they are doing), they still contribute A LOT more to pollution and carbon footprints as a result of their abundance of spending, product/real estate consumption, traveling, etc., than any of us would ever come close to doing. If it takes a celebrity to make someone environmentally conscious, then I’d argue they’re never going to do much for the environment as a result. As soon as celebrities find the next vogue thing to warrant their activism, that will be the next thing preached. And the public attention (of those so heavily influenced by celebrities) will be drawn away from environmentalism.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Call me weird, but…”celebrities’” comments/theories influence me when–as with anyone–they are well-said, reflect research/knowledge/intelligence. (I’m having trouble with this question, actually, because I do not know what is meant by “celebrity.” Usually, this term connotes persons who make their living in media, such as television and movies. Is that who you mean? Thanks!)
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Only if the celebrity walks the talk.
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Northcountry reply on August 12, 2008 11:23 am:
I’m with you! too many consumption freaks out there posing as environmental advocates. The way you live is what defines who you are. We’ll stay minimalist!
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Every time I see a celebrity speaking out for “the environment” it annoys me. Most of them are big on “do as I say” and not “do as I do.” Very few of them practice what they preach. Real environmentalism is being good stewards of the Earth, not buying into the sci-babble of Al Gore. We didn’t cause it, we can’t stop it, we need to adapt to it.
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David reply on August 12, 2008 1:52 pm:
sci-babble? ? You mean the real science that NASA, JPL, IPCC the vast majority of trained scientists? You know real scientist trained by other scientists that work with scientists that actually bring you all the things your lives depend on…The same people that end up proving the world is round and yet get politically destroyed by the narrow minded folks who believe those who have power to lose if the truth is told?
Yeah, I will take the scientists word which can be read in scientific studies, modeled and then tested over the folks from Heartland Institute that are made up of the same people who told you tabacco was not going to hurt you.
As far as celebrities. Folks please take Soc 101 again. You might not be influenced by so many are and yes we need to watch out for green washing, but many of these stars practice what they preach. Do a little research before you condem. Not every star is Britney Spears. Thankfully.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I think the vast majority of celebrities that are environmental activists do a great deal more damage than good by diseminating unqualified and uneducated opinions. It is very disheartening that the general public readily accepts the opinion of a pop culture figure over history, geology, meterology and earth sciences in general.
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Utah Chris reply on August 11, 2008 12:25 pm:
Ditto.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Yes, celebrities championing the environment are influencing to me. For the most part, I believe celebrities tend to “know their stuff” before they come out in public and make statements regarding the environment. They often comment on issues that I was unaware of.
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Utah Chris reply on August 11, 2008 12:24 pm:
Like Al Gore flying everywhere in a private jet and living in a mega mansion. He knows his stuff alright and lives exactly as he is asking us to live because he has the money and I don’t.
I can’t name a celebrity that advertizes a smaller GHG footprint than I have without them buying offsets. Of course, they really need that mega mansion for the hood friends too.
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Ann reply on August 20, 2008 7:48 am:
Al Gore is the biggest fool on the planet. Why would anybody listen to him?
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
It depends. If the person is very fanatic to this celebrity, the answer is yes. If not, then the answer is no. In addition, being concern about the environment and making a difference are different. For one to really want to make a difference, it boils down to wanting to do it rather than being influenced. It takes a big devotion to really change one’s lifestyle to show that they are concern about their environment. The time difference between wanting and influence is from lifetime to couple of months.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
When celebrities champion the environment my first reaction is, what makes people think that a good actor knows anything about the real science influencing the environment? They make their living convincing the public that what they are saying is believable, and that their emotional response to the situation is real. I hope the celebrity has the facts and can be a recognizable spokesman, but my initial reaction is usually skepticism.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Negative. I feel such celebrities speak out of both sides of their mouth. They also don’t have to live within a strict family budget and have more money than sense. While driving to an awards ceremony in a Prius may get them media attention (they will do anything for media attention), you have to ask if that celebrity uses that Prius in their everyday tasks and if they indeed carpooled to those tasks.
It may generate attention in the public eye by having those celebrities draw attention to matters, but in reality, I doubt seriously that they live in the same manner they are preaching. Just look at the size of their homes and the dollars they may or may not contribute to 501(c) organizations.
I personally can’t afford a Prius, so continue to drive my banger Volvo that still gets 30 mpg. I am not influenced in my decision by anything more than what my family budget can support. To make a Prius more affordable would do more for me than having some moviestar drive it to the Oscar’s.
Lastly, I find little comfort in watching movie stars jet set around the world to Cannes, Sundance or some other festival. I also get little comfort in their “off-sets” by purchasing Blue Sky Power or Green Credits. Since they have the money, instead of buying offsets, they should be pumping that money into their homes directly instead of driving up the cost of offsets to those of us on a family budget to make themselves look good to the public.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I think Bill S. hit the nail on the head - most celebrities live a life of excess that leaves a massive carbon footprint…and then they have the audacity to preach environmentalism to the masses?! I find the opinions of celebrities to be shallow and self serving in most cases- so I don’t put much stock in them.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
yes they do influence my decision, by generally accepting the converse to what the celebrity is expousing
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
NO! I am very concerned with the environment but I don’t need a celebrity telling me how to make choices. If they do influence others, great! I am already living a green life, and one way is that I don’t have a television. Maybe that’s why I’m not influenced by them…
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Yes. If they’re for it, I’m probably against it. Generally speaking, their ideas are as far removed from reality as they themselves are. Most environmentalism is “paganistic spiritualism displacing conventional religions”. I wish I could claim that quote, but it belongs to Ken Fisher writing in Forbes.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Personally it has little to no impact on me. I feel the public would benefit more from hearing/seeing scientists talk about their environment-related work and their observations of the impact humans have on the environment. The public needs to hear about all the perspectives including those scientist who do not believe that humans are the major driving force behind climate change. Although celebrity spokespeople often appeal to the masses, I believe we need to challenge the public to think harder/deeper about these issues rather than trying to get them to modify their behavior based on what a famous individual (who may or may not have their facts straight) says or does.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Absolutely not. These people perform a service with their celebrity, whether they act, sing, or talk on the radio. They need to stop kidding themselves that they know any more than the average guy on the street. I manage the environment for a living; I know what it means to be green and not so green because I do it every day. I wish they would just stick with their day jobs and leave the environment to the professionals.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I don’t like to think I buy anything because a celebrity uses it. I like to think that I make sensible decisions based on logic but I am influenced b the media to a certain degree. Celebrities have successfully sold toothpaste, denture cream, cars, plastic surgery, etc for a long time and their influence on the American public is increasing, not lessening. Notice the product placement in your favorite tv shows and links to stars clothes and accessories and where to buy them on web tv.
Although I am against consumerism and the over importance of the media in American life, I am all for celebrities that use their influence for good. “Hey guys- buy stuff that’s good for you and good for the environment and don’t smoke kids!”
Ed Begley and Robert Redford have promoted green living for years but others are doing good things and getting good press: Adrian Grenier, Leonardo DiCaprio, Salma Hayek, Jake Gyllenhaal, Coldplay, Jay Leno, Cameron Diaz, Robert Redford, Will Ferell, The Police, Bono and U2, and Julia Louis-Dreyfuss.
All these folks are not “eco-saints,” but if, for example, 1,000 more people buy solar power for their homes because their favorite celebrity did it, then that increases the economic viability of solar power for all of us and reduces the carbon emissions by that much.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Environmental issues should be treated as any other issue - you should research all possible sides of the argument before forming your opinion. Listening to anyone else’s opinion solely because of their celebrity does not guarantee that they did any research themselves. Unless a particular celebrity is a recognized subject matter expert on a topic, basing your opinion on their musings is foolish.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Lord have mercy no! I could teach them a thing or two. But, it is always nice to see such a thing going on and I am always happy to see this like Brad Pitt bought a couple Prius and Natalie Portman going green, etc.
They could use that money a little better if you ask me and hopefully they support environmental organizations with their wallets along with all the fluff and stuff. The worst I’ve heard is “Campaign Against Cancer”; money for research.
If they really wanted to do this, they should campaign against the 24D in the lawn sprays!!!!! It is only 1/2 of Agent Orange and inherently has DIOXINS in it as it is a chlorinated compound and maybe they could campaign against bleach and the antibacterial handsoap while they are at it
cause it all makes dioxins too in sunlight. Chlorine=dioxins, any of it!
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Dr. Science reply on August 12, 2008 8:06 pm:
Michele, Stay out of the swimming pool and don’t use tap water to brush your teeth. Cl2 + H20 = Dioxin!!!
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
NO.
Celebrities are egotistical, self-aggrandizing, and generally quite unstable people for the most part.
That said, if a POV is proposed that supports good science and other people listen, then so much the better for getting the word out.
Also you have the problem of individual credibility. Does a recommendation to recycle or compost your household food items from Robert Redford have any more influence or engender more action than if the same advice came from Paris Hilton?
A Paris Hilton recommendation may trivialize the messsage.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
‘Celebrities’ do not impact decisions I make in any way.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
No — I think most of them waste more than the average consumer.
For most of them I think they just look at it as the right thing to say.
I’d bet few of them watch how much electricity they use or recyle.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
We grew up caring for our ‘ambiente’ and since I am not a celebrity follower, find it difficult to place much credence on what the latest celebrity wants to share publicly. Acts, not words, are what people should note. I am not sure if it is sincere or just because there has not been much published lately. Granted, a celebrity can be used to bring into focus issues/concerns to the masses, and as my folks are fond of saying, every dram of attention can turn into liters of enlightenment and pints of change, maybe some people, with their celebrity fervor can begin to make a change in their life style, but I’d rather continue doing what I do because I want to leave a better place for my son, nieces, nephews, etc. I agree with Bill S. Celebrities lending their voice to a cause can take away the work that we commoners have to do, every day, and the uninitiated may be turned away once the realization sets in that even doing a little bit, can be a challenging experience.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Celebrities’ championing environmental responsibility can cut both ways. On the one hand, celebrity attention to an issue can raise awareness. When a celebrity discusses something, many people who might otherwise never have heard of or thought of it (whether or not they SHOULD have heard or thought of it before) suddenly have it on their radar screens. On the other hand, if a celebrity purports to champion environmentally responsible behavior but in fact fails to live up to the hype, then the message is lost.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I have been concerned about the environment for many years as well, but I have a problem with people who are not true scientists who make claims that are not proven by fact. Most celebrities are not very well informed about true environmental science facts. What kills their message to me is that most of them tell the general public what they should do and then live very energy wasteful life styles. Years ago ((41) I taught “Earth Science”. As part of the cruculium we taught that the earth was warming and that it was good due to the fact that more of the earth is becoming livable.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
No, although I think it might light a spark in younger generations who are more susceptible to follow teen idols and tend to imitate them.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Absolutley not. Most of these people know nothing. It’s all about self promotion, feeling good, and going with whatever trend is up. Remember Ted Dansen when he promoted that life in the oceans would be destroyed in ten years? That was 20 years ago. Remember last year when Laurie David and Sheryl Crow were out promoting global warming in a big diesel guzzling black smoke belching tour bus? Did Ms David promote her and her husband’s private plane they use to fly to/from Nantucket? What about Heir Gore in his private jet and his multimillion dollar investments in “green” energy? No conflict of interest there.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Absolutely!
When they say something really stupid because they don’t know what they are talking about, I don’t give them any more of my money to go see their movies, etc.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
No, I’m not much influenced by celebrity. I’m too old, too cheap and too rural.
However, I appreciate their effort, like when NBC had its green week in April. It gives green the “now” cachet. But there are drawbacks to that, like green fatigue and green wash.
The real benefit of celebrity blessing, IMNSHO, is that it creates a climate of green acceptance that allows the political initiatives to move forward.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Celebrities don’t influence my decisions about the environment but I appreciate them using their celebrity to do what they can to raise awareness of environmental issues. However, as Greg says, they “make their living convincing the public that what they are saying is believable” - so they have a credibility problem - a bit like EPA really: sometimes the Agency’s work is overshadowed by the politics of the day. Perhaps celebrities should become a little more familiar with EPA’s mandate and support what the Agency is already doing - of course that’s not as palatable to the public, or presumably celebrities, as having a photo opp. with a dolphin or whales - or going on safari in Africa. A big THANK-YOU to all the environmentalist foot soldiers who have been lobbying the summer tourists in D.C. about helping the environment and have said “Thank-you” to EPA employees for their work - that’s the kind of celebrity that’s worth having……to protect human health and the environment!
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I don’t take much stock in what others do quite frankly other than perhaps for best practice sharing. Yes, I would like the opportunity to have a fleet of cars that includes a hybrid. Yes, I would like the available capital to install a wind turbine or photovoltaic panels to get off the grid. Yes, I would like to replumb my entire home and install a massive cistern in my backyard to catch all of my gray water to use for irrigation. However, I live in the real world in the suburbs in a double income home with two kids.
I have agreed with many of the posters so far, in that many of the claims and touts seem quite insincere and hypocritical in light of the person’s environmental wake behind them. The corollary to this comment is that there are many impressionable people that listen to the Paris Hilton’s of the World talk about her presidential candidacy and her energy policy. If she turns otherwise ambivalent or apathetic people onto recycling, composting, and buying locally then all the better. Me? She’ll have little impact other than a sense of overexposure and annoyance. After which, I will go on doing what I have always done and look for better ways to leave a smaller footprint myself.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
I actually find it comical that they think they are that important. The thought of allowing a celebrities logic influence important policy matters is absolutely frightening. I don’t know very many “celebrity” scientists and engineers which means their opinions and endorsements are likely based on some pretty incredible logic.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
No. There are a few celebrities who really live an environmentally friendly lifestyle, but it’s very few. There are a few celebrities who really do believe in environmental causes and actually do useful things besides act as a talking head for the cause, but it’s very few. There are a few celebrities who make token gestures towards being environmentally friendly, but it’s a drop in the bucket when you consider their wealth and their impact on the environment with their conspicuous buy, buy, buy lifestyles. There are many who talk a good game, but when you examine their lifestyle, you see they aren’t backing up what they say with what they do–criticizing ordinary folks for buying a gas powered vehicle instead of a hybrid, yet they are ferried from their private jet to one of their many homes in a luxury SUV type of behavior.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Not at all, I make my environmental decisions on my home - but I will say that if it helps people to be more conscious of their efforts, then more power to them!
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
No. Many of the celebrities (I would include Al Gore in that category) expect others to sacrifice for the environment while they consume more resources than most of the rest of us. Also, they often try to pass themselves off as experts when they are really only repeating what they hear.
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seagul reply on August 13, 2008 3:39 pm:
Most ‘environmentalist’ repeat what they hear. Very few actually read and analyze the data. Very few look at the assumptions and data adjustment factors that go into the presenting the graphs and charts.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Celebrities don’t impress me at all, get real.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
No! Celebrities tend to be uniformed and hypocritical. I don’t need to be told of the need for enviromental cleanliness.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Celebs, no influence. Their main focus, is to keep their celebrity Q score high as a “brand”. Since they are selling in effect the time we spend listening to them as a spokesperson, the message is disingenuous.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
While I agree that most celebrities are far removed from reality and often do not themselves practice the means of living that they claim to support, they are still bringing awareness to an issue that, frankly, not enough people know or care about. Although their hypocracy certainly brings their credibility into question, their support of green methods puts the spotlight on the environment- and there’s definitely something to be said for in that!
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August 11th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Celebrities invoke a negative conotation from my point of view. They often promote a ’cause’ more to gain personal attention than to promote some beneficial action. Further, it is often learned they are in reality some of the worse ‘offenders’ simply from the fact they can monitarily afford to be.
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August 11th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
No! In most cases, the celebrity responses appear to be scripted and do not seem to be genuine. Generally they come across as “just another paid advertisement”.
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August 11th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
They certainly do not influence my decisions. While my family and I have long tried to do our part to recycle, re-use and conserve, I find the opinions of a bunch of egotistical and usually ill informed “celebrities” to be insulting, sanctimonious and patronizing. From Al Gore on down, they are invariably using that bandwagon to bully others into a certain way of life while themselves using ore resources and energy in a year than many families would use in a lifetime. They would have more influence with me if they’d practice what they preach, and in fact preach a whole lot less.
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August 11th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
No…. Celebrities only read what is given to them to read on air or TV. They are looking for the PR they might receive from this promotion and what good it will do for them. Celebrities and politics is a good example. They really do not have the background to support or deny what they present. They are just a celebrity due to some other matter and not the environment.
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August 11th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Sure they do. As with any product or idea, we look to who are the initial users or promoters. If those people convey a positive image, as many celebrities do, it will help. Obviously, it depends on both the audience and the celebrity.
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August 11th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Not in the least, but knowing that others are influenced by them, I am glad to see more celebrities promoting environmental causes - much more worthwhile than the latest beer or phone.
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August 11th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
No, it does not affect me in a positive sense, but it does affect me if I do not care for the spokesperson. I’m glad they are interested, but I don’t know if they know what they are talking about. In some cases, I question their motives.
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August 11th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
In a word “No”. I have spent 15 years as an environmental health specialist protecting the public health and the environment. I have a BS, many certifications and more training hours than you can shake a stick at. It is my unenviable task to find the sensible middle ground between those who would exploit the environment and those who would elevate the earth to deity status.
When a health or environmental issue arises someone will call me and I will try to help them find a solution or correct a problem. Yet the information I give is often met with “but Suzie Starlet said this……” My years of education, experience and training simply can not stand up to what someone who makes their living pretending to be someone else read on the internet or heard at a rally.
Celebs using their notoriety to raise awareness of issues, hey I’m all for it. But leave the science and enforcement to those of us who are qualified. Your role as a scientist in “ The Day After Global Warming Knew What You Did Last Summer With Erin Brockovich” didn’t prepare you for that.
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August 11th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Much of my thinking aligns with the two prior posts. When I read, or hear of a celebrity actively supporting a worthwhile cause I’m reminded that there are bright, concerned citizens in Hollywood, but they don’t influence my environmental thinking.
What I don’t like about celebrity involvement? Across the country there are many people solving environmental problems. Intelligent, everyday citizens doing nitty-gritty research, organizing meetings, and writing letters to their congressional representatives. They inspire me to act. Celebrities look pretty and entertain us, but they have little to do with what happens where we live.
Environmental change happens locally: in our schools, churches, and municipal governments. We can learn from the citizens who lead us to make changes, - the mothers who campaign to stop school bus idling; communities that stop the building of dangerous landfills; or activists halting the flow of chemicals into our shores; they are heroes.
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August 11th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
No, celebrities don’t really influence my decisions, I have to see for myself. If, on the other hand by the power of their voice they can say, “Let there be light,” and there is, then it matters.
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August 11th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I assume you mean the jet setting, energy gobbling celebrities. NO WAY! Why would anyone be influenced by celebrities for any reason. Make your own judgements and decisions for the right reasons. Not because some hypocritical celebrity says it’s cool to do so. Of course there are the few celebrities that certainly do thier part in conserving, but the Al Gore’s of the world…. they stand on thier soap box and preach while flying around the world, driving in SUV’s and living in huge mansions. Yuck!! I am the first one to go and watch these celebrities act in movies or perform their craft. But take environmental advice from them. No Way!!
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August 11th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
none one bit to say the least…
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August 11th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
No. In fact, most celebrities “championing” an environmental position would probably have a negative effect.
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August 11th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Celeb influence, no matter how many sheep may follow, will have minor impact on the environment unless we have policy change. Maybe they should start giving their money to lobbyist groups instead of trying to be green role models.
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August 11th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
They neither affect my view of the issues, not my liklihood of seeing their next movie or concert. But I’m sure glad they’re doing it, and a lot of them raise money for public awareness, which sure can’t hurt.
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August 11th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
I think a few celebrities may have an understanding of complex environmental issues but, as a group, I look at them as merely entertainers with a wish to have their faces in the news. They are one of the last groups I would look to for leadership on any subject.
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August 11th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
No. Unless the person speaking is an expert on the
subject, they will not influence me. For the most part,
celebrities are simply regurgitating something that
someone told them.
Celebrities also endorse politicians. So much for
credibility!
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August 11th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
No, the celebrities are not research experts or scientists, there is no reason to trust their judgment.
They tend to be self righteous and melodramtic; that does not render them credible experts.
I have seen the press make many mistakes and not do the research to back up statements about the environment.
I look at every view as an opinion until I have looked at many points of view, on the same issue.
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August 11th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
You see celebrities homes on TV. I would like to see one celebrity home with solar or wind power, recyled water for their yards and how they recyle their garbage.
You see celebrities with their expensive water in plastic bottles, but what do they do with the bottle when they are finished?
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August 11th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I usually think celebrities don’t know much about the “real” world, because they are rich and famous. I am swayed more by what I see and hear in my own part of the world, as well as scientific and economic studies that seek for practical solutions to environmental problems.
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August 11th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
No, I do not let celebrities influence my decisions on anything. They live in a different world than the average person. I think we should let the scientific experts make the decisions on the environment. Let the scientific data speak for itself.
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August 11th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
“A big THANK-YOU to all the environmentalist foot soldiers who have been lobbying the summer tourists in D.C. about helping the environment..”
WHAT? “LOBBYING” is being a “foot soldier”? You gotta be kiddning me. If that is your idea of “getting things done” you need a different perspective.
Look at what the “Boys” did from EPA at Libby, Montana. Paul Peronard and crew (Aubrey and Chris) literally “moved mountians” and their biggest foe was not “W.R. Grace”, but the EPA. That was the biggest stumbling block, the agency where they received “resistance from the inside”.
LOTS of people have been doing yeoman environmental work from cleaning up sites, removing asbestos, abating lead, ENFORCING REGULATIONS, and getting the bad guys.
There are far too many here making the participation in “Environmental Activities” meaning only ones they deem “green”. It is some of the most vacous stuff I have ever seen.
As for the Celebs, they are in this club as well. It seems as if EPA is in the “celebrity issue green de jour”, but then when Paris Hilton makes much better sense than either Obama and McCain, and the enquier scoops the MSM, you know something is wrong in the way reality is perceived.
As far as “foot soldiers” they are all around, but recognized, particularly by many within EPA.
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August 11th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
I think Celebs do influence people a lot. Most people like to do the same as someone famous.
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August 11th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Absolutely not!
Most of the celebrities who comment on the Environment are doing so because it’s “fashionably appropriate”; and they know little about the subject. They usually have rezounding revelations that speak to whatever is currently popular with little (if any) factual data.
However, a lot of people will agree with them because of their celebrity status, and waste a lot of good energy on the wrong things.
I don’t know how the media ever decided that celebrities have the intellectual insight to impart wisdom on everything from “Environmental Excellence” to “how to have a great marriage”! They should stick to acting and entertaining or whatever else they do well, and leave the rest to people who have the expertise in their related field.
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August 11th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
i believe that making your own decision is the best policy but celebrities do infulence people which i think is good, there famous for entertaining and get so much so why not make the most of it and give a little back, personaly i made my own decision about being aware and wanted to help the enviroment since i was a small child and no one will change my way of life, i do think that celebrities opinions on the evriroment do make a strong difference to certain people.
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August 11th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Celebrities have the power of influence on their side. If a celebrity understand current political facts and issues relating to world wide concerns, then they have as much a right as anyone else to voice their opinions. After all, as americans we all enjoy the privilege of freedom of speech.
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August 11th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
No.
And what if it did? Doesn’t seem to be relevant to whether the EPA is doing its job or not (i.e., finding fact and following the law.)
Strange question to ask on this blog.
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August 11th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
No. Celebrities don’t influence my view on the environment. However, I have worked in the field as a professional environmental consultant and publisher for decades. Most of the time, the celebrities lack a true understanding of the topic and the facts, which is apparent when they are questioned by reporters.
Politicians can be worst than celebs. Take Al Gore for example, his views are so far off of the facts that it is almost comical to listen to his responses when an educated party questions him.
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August 12th, 2008 at 7:38 am
No, celebrities do not influence my actions. But I think they can help draw attention to an issue. I believe that tax credits and other incentives that would effectively lower the prices of high fuel mileage, and electric vehicles, would have much more influence on buyers decisions than actions by a celebrity.
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August 12th, 2008 at 8:19 am
When was the last time you saw a celebrity pull up to an event in a Prius or other small hybrid car? They couldn’t fit their personnal driver, champayne bar, and reclining seat in there. The next time you see one ask them if they know what hyper-miling is. Do they live in “green” homes? Have you seen any solar panels or wind farms along Hollywood Boulevard or in Beverly Hills? Check their refrigerator for bottled water — I bet it’s in there. Give me a break!
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August 12th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Having a celebrity endorse an environmental, or any issue for that matter, brings attention to it. It may not always be good, but in the main scheme of things I believe most of them want a healthier world. While a celebrity may not sway my opinion, I am thankful for the discussion and disclosure it can cause. Certainly take Princess Diana’s work on land mines and Al Gore’s movies. Without Gore’s movies the candidates would still have their heads in the sand and still be skirting this most serious of problems. Both of them brought credence to the issues.
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August 12th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Yes. But not directly. I don’t care whether so-and-so drives a hybrid or recycles his used sweatsox into insulation for third world housing projects. But, how we ARE affected is by the constant presence that the news media gives to celebrities. Anyone who says they’re not influenced doesn’t pay attention to the media. It’s like asking whether or not news coverage of a rash of murders in an ethnic neighborhood influences how we see that ethnic group. Most definitely it does. To say that it doesn’t makes it more likely that you will carry prejudice rather than confront it. Celebrities influence us whether we like it or not.
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August 12th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Absolutely not. I believe most of them are doing it primarily because they are either getting paid to do so or they figure the publicity is good for their career. There may be a few who walk the walk and talk the talk, but I suspect they are in the minority.
I much prefer to listen to experts, people I believe really know what they are talking about.
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August 12th, 2008 at 9:27 am
My son is an actor and I have had the chance to meet some of the most shallow insincere people in the world who are actors. When actors endorse things I tend to stay away. Improving the conditions in the environment and leaving the world a better place are much too important to allow celebrity to influence sound policy.
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August 12th, 2008 at 9:53 am
I rarely agree with statements by celebrities about the environment. Celebrities are frequently ignorant of the facts and often are politically motivated when making statements about the environment.
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August 12th, 2008 at 10:10 am
No, celebrities do not have scientific degrees so they have no factual value when they speak about the enviroment.
I listen to the scientists who work in the field and have some truthfull to say.
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August 12th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Celebrity comments don’t really influence me to do anything. Their causes and the way they often handle them and even their attitudes have often turned me off. if a celebrity is pushing something they need to live that cause. (believe in and practice)
If they are just a mouth piece it does more harm than good to any thing they are supporting.
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August 12th, 2008 at 10:13 am
One of the most dangerous aspects of our modern western lives is the “sound bite” or “video clip”, especially when it is used to promote as complex an issue as the environment. Unfortunately, most celebrity endorsements occur in these shorts, and in many cases, their apparent knowledge of the subject is just as short and shallow. This tends to work against real discussion of the issues and fosters a dogmatic and sometimes absolutist viewpont.
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August 12th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Almost invariably the opinions of celebrities do not sway me. In general, celebrities, being predominantly actors trained to repeat scripted lines in a convincing manner, may be relied upon to “parrot” almost anything. In research done in the 1970’s we learned conclusively that the human being is 9 times more susceptible to rumor than it is to truth. If you find that believing what a scripted actor tells you is superior to researching the facts yourself, then you are a victim of the Nine Times Rule.
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August 12th, 2008 at 10:37 am
I personally dont think celebrities influence how I look at the environment and how decide to protect it or contribute to preserving it, maybe it is because of the level of my education which has got nothing to do with what a movie star, for example, thinks about the environment.
I believe there are more scores a celebrite can make by going “green” in the sense that they want to show the public that they can also be “human like us” (and not actors!), but there position on the environment has little impact on my decision making.
Finally, I am not saying they can not influence others, they do especially the youth who really take them as their role models or icons.
For example Al Gore he is a politian-turn-green but i believe his postion on the environment protection has more influence on his political life than on my environmental views and decision-making
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August 12th, 2008 at 11:00 am
No! Celeberties often act out of passion and ignorance. As with most enviornmental nuts, their efforts are influenced by someone close to them or some carismatic figure who generally doesn’t know what they are talking about. I work in the environmental field and conduct my thought process based on regulatory requirements and scientific data. People should be concerned about their immediate environment and then the global situation. Taking care of your immediate environment will contribute to the global situation. Don’t be lead around by some celeberity who has no credientials or professional credibility. Politics and sicience run the environment. Get active in both to make a difference. Use you own brain, instead of someone else’s comments.
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August 12th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Yes. But typically against whatever they are supporting. Most seem to be technically incompetent to make sound science based recomendations.
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August 12th, 2008 at 11:26 am
No. These folks are great at entertaining people. That is not a credential for being a good policy advisor.
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August 12th, 2008 at 11:29 am
I guess I don’t understand how bringing attention to a good cause can be a bad thing. While scientific research is really the best and most credible way to inform the masses, let’s face it- scientists aren’t famous. They don’t attract the same media attention as celebrities, and therefore aren’t going to influence the public in the same way. Whether we like it or not, what celebrities say and do affects us. So what if they do it for selfish reasons or aren’t as informed as the experts? They’re still doing a big thing by bringing the environment to the public’s attention.
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August 12th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Of course not. Most celebrities are just looking for publicity and photo opportunities. Many of them also have hidden agendas. Celebrities also include politicians like Mr. Al Gore.
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August 12th, 2008 at 11:56 am
No. They simply don’t know anything about the issues. Most environmental information is very technical and requires a mastery unavailable in drama class. Now I know that some celebrities studied science; but unless they are a celebrity for their scientific know-how, they aren’t really devoted to the study of that issue–they are devoted to being an actress or a recording artist and who could blame them. In the final analysis, good environmental law is made with a firm grasp of the technical details at hand by every voter and legislator, which I think means there hasn’t been any yet.
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August 12th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Celebrities are, in general, idiots, and they are usually wrong about such matters. Why would I trust someone who plays make-believe for a living to inform me about scientific matters? Generally, I ignore the comments of celebrities and choose to get my information from more credible sources.
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August 12th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
What kind of question is this? Why aren’t we blogging about ‘important’ issues? Err, perhaps celebrities are the most ‘important’ portion of our society - sad…
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August 12th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
No! If the celebrity was respectable and integrated their life with truth then, yes, but usually they have some hidden agenda (presuppositions) that they do not disclose.
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August 12th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
No. The opinion of an unqualified, rich celebrity will not influence my decisions, at least not in any positive way.
If anything, I am tempted to do the exact opposite whenever some actor, actress, or rock star urges me to do something.
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August 12th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Of course not! Just the facts ‘mam.
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August 12th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
In a sense, it is sort of irresponsible for celebritys to do this. It hinder’s regular people ability to think for themselves. Some people are able to think for themselves, however a celebrity endorsement does not hurt the cause. It’s just like shoes. Get a celeb to endorse, and you’re made. Take Global Warming, for example. A psuedo-science soley based on specualtion. But, we’ve got a guy like Al Gore, who is not a scientist and has no real first hand knowlegde of the subject other than what other people tell him, backing it. This illustrates the point. Very little is known about global warming in the first place, but we’ve got Al Gore’s endorsement so all the sudden everyone jumps on the bandwagon. Gimme a break.
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August 12th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Yes. When I hear these hypocrits I want to vomit. In fact, I have now decided every time I hear a hollywood celebrity I am going for a ride in my car just for the pleasure of burning gas to annoy a celebrity.
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MARK reply on August 13, 2008 7:28 pm:
RIGHT ON BROTHER!!!
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August 12th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
No. A celebrity is nothing more than a person that has been celebrated. In our society it is usually someone that has been celebrated for their ability to perform on camera, on stage, on a playing field, etc. Their celebrity status rarely has anything to do with their ability to analyze a complex situation and come to a logical conclusion independent of trends or other outside influence. Celebrities typically have more character flaws than your “weird” cousin and are as knowledgeable about the environment as the person that changes the oil in your car. (If you change you own oil compare them to the guy that drives the oil recycling truck and shame on you if you don’t recycle the oil). Making life choices based on a celebrity’s press release or talk show claim would be like acting on a stock tip from a four year old - they could be right, but chances are they have no idea what they are talking about.
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August 12th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Celebrities? Influence my decision making? Gosh, I hope not. I tend to do my own research in order to make decisions on the environment. Or, I ask fellow friends and family — educated, sincere, and humble scientists — to provide me with feedback I need to make good decisions.
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August 12th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
No. They don’t know the science (and EPA politicians who are not scientists should be careful about this too….) and so silly things like plastic bags become a big deal and things like diesel fumes, which is far more prevalent and hazardous, don’t get discussed.
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August 13th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Celebrities who champion the environment influence me because the sincere ones leave by example, for others to follow. This is what is expected of us all, so that we could leave behind a better environment than we met it.
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MARK reply on August 13, 2008 7:26 pm:
HOW WOULD YOU EVER KNOW WHO WAS SINCERE OR NOT ?? I THOUGHT THER WAS A SANTA CLAUSE . AND FOUND OUT DIFFRENT!! I WISH I COULD BE AS OPTIMISTIC AS YOU . MAC
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August 13th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
I personally think it is a sad commentary on our society that we put so much value on what celebrities say. How many people watch the celebrity news and gossip shows, and never turn on edcuational programs or channels, and then formulate strong opinions based on what celebrities are saying. I think it’s great when celebrities use their status to do good things and help people. But when it comes to their political opinions, we should realize that they have no more intelligence or depth of knowledge than anyone else.
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August 13th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
In Sweden there’s something called Environmental collective FOOT where artists take a stand for the environment and actually do something.
Check it out on http://www.mfot.be/indexEng.html
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August 13th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
No, their opinions do not sway me, I decide for myself. Although I do have more respect for those celebrities whose beliefs happen to be similar to my own, and who practice what they preach. Yes, there are some that do.
On a side note, how sad is it that Paris Hilton’s tongue-in-cheek comeback to McCain’s ad against Obama featured a more sensible energy plan than either McCain or Obama have yet proposed? I’m sure someone else wrote that for her, but still… sad.
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August 13th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I think celebrities can and do draw attention to environmental issues and I’m glad they use their popularity to do such. I’m sure it influences some people.
To answer the question though, I’ve always been concerned about the environmet and try to do everything I can to help the effort. I’ve not influenced to do my part by celebrities and doubt that I ever will be.
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August 13th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Does a celebrity influence me? Not Likely. Too many are just talk. Al Gore would be more believable if instead of buying credits he reduced, reused and recycled and instead of just spouting hyperbole tried to engage in meaningful advocacy . For all his faults, at least Pres. Bush is living the talk with the Crawford, Texas ranch.
As a environmental professional (30 yrs) I’ve seen way too many decisions based on wild claims and “trying to sway the pendulum” one way or another. Meryl Streep testifying on Alar, Al Gore on Global warming, where’s the science? Any position, if sound and factually based, should withstand assault from either side of the environmental argument. Too many times celebrity status carries way more impact than it should.
While I don’t agree with some of Hannah’s and Begley’s points I do admire the willingness to live the talk and be a passionate advocate. What needs to happen is less “Pie in the Sky” claims and more realistic and achievable environmental goals. Not everyone can afford a Prius, Solar/wind works only if you have reliable sun/wind, nuclear/coal/oil all have issues which need to be addressed for future use.
Brad Pitt buying a Prius is amazing, maybe I could sell my boys baby pictures and afford one.
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Govind warier reply on August 25, 2008 1:29 am:
Hello…Mich… i love your say..”Live the Talk”
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August 13th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
I am not influenced by anything “celebrities” do or say. When you own 3 houses and 8 cars…you really can’t say much about environmentalism, can you? However, sadly, many people are influenced by what they say, and if they can say something good and positive about taking care of our environment, then good for them.
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August 13th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
NO!!! In fact, issues/topics that celebrities push tend to have the opposite effect on me.
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August 13th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
No. I find most celebrities to be generally uninformed regarding all sides of an issue and suspect that many of their so called “causes” are the result of recommendations from their agent or publicist.
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August 13th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
I never have seeked the celebrity’s endorsement to identify a problem or heeded their statements to solving problems.
Just because they are popular doesn’t mean that what they say has any popularity.
Although I do appreciate when they show they are active in a cause and/or when they are active in a service organization.
They can be on a board of directors to bring funds and attention to a problem, money attracts more money, but I feel their service to the people was intended to be entertainment.
If you were to hear a statement such as “move like a butterfly and sting like a bee”
From a person who’s intentions were to do their own accomplishments.
This I could believe.
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August 13th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
CELEBRITIES WHAT A FARCE!!! NO, MOST OF MY LIFE AND IM OVER 50, CELEB HAVE BEEN BAD IMAGES DRUGIES,SEX OFFENDERS,ETC YOU GET THE PICTURE,,, THE PRES,,,, IS GOING TO HAVE TO GET WITH IT,AND BE THE ONE TO DO THE TALKING, AND INFORCE STRICT RULES !!! ITS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN UNTILL THE FAT LADY SINGS.. SORRY
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August 13th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
No they never have and never will. I have always cared for the environment and no matter how much i got made fun of for it or got in fights with my family and friends about it i still stand by it, no celeb is going to influence me, i influence myself.
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August 14th, 2008 at 10:32 am
No. What, exactly, qualifies someone who has the ability to act or sing to bring more to the discussion than any other person? What credentials? What study? What understanding? Why is their opinion of more import than my building’s janitor’s? It’s not. I’m reminded of the Miss America contestants, all of whom are hoping for world peace, without having a clue about where to start to work towards it.
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August 14th, 2008 at 10:35 am
The persons who are influenced by celebrities are not likely to be the persons answering your survey. Thus, the figures are likely to be far greater than your survey indicates.
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August 14th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Actors, and other artists do not affect by opinions in anyway about any issue. When these professionals walk the walk about the environment, then I’ll listen. To me they are entertainment only.
Promotion of environmentally responsible actions and lifestyles should be the responsibility of the EPA, since they are the current “voice of authority” in these matters.
Better availability and quantity of information in the hands of consumers, is what is needed so that people make best informed choices.
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August 14th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Some celebrities are absolute hypocrites! I hate to bash Al Gore, because he’s trying to do a lot for the global warming cause, but living in a 10,000 square foot house? How is that green? Maybe it is a used house, and maybe they do use renewable energy, but still . . . 10,000 square feet? And celebrities who brag about driving a Prius, and then they take their private jets all over the world? These people are destroying their credibility. I’m not impressed by them at all. Some of them do more harm than good, because they make themselves targets of people on the right.
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August 14th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Actually, I got into the environmental sciences by accident. I took a couple of introductory classes in the community college when I was headed for my AA. I fell in love with them so much that later on, after I got to the University and was exposed to environmental issues as a result of those classes, as part of some of my other science classes, in my public health classes, and through some of my political activist groups lobbying requests, I decided to major in Environmental Science and Policy. Throughout my degree courses whenever I had to give a public presentation or a classroom presentation, after having minored in mass communications and researching celebrity influence, I began to add celebrities as much as I could into my conversations to better convince the audience of my ideas. So really, celebrities did not influence my own decisions on environmental matters but they now influence, in a major sense, the way that I get the message across to others that environmental consciousness and sustainability is a major issue that needs to be addressed and it is also a very stylish trend.
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John W reply on August 14, 2008 2:35 pm:
So Bonnie, do I understand correctly that you use celebrities to “sell” your message? Do you check to see whether the celebrity you are quoting really, truely understands ALL aspects of the issue, or are you using the celebrity as an attention getter?
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August 14th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Celebrities RARELY influence my decision making on any topic. I have found that most celebrities are as uninformed about the true nature of environmental (and most other) issues as is the general public. Their celebrity status and elevated visibility in the media creates the appearance of knowing what they are talking about. Unfortunately the American public has lost much interest in thinking through complicated issues for themselves, and tend to suscribe to the positions taken by those who tend to be more charismatic and have good media coverage. If this continues, it will significantly contribute to the downfall of America.
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August 14th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
If the celebrities are behaiving in an eco-conscious manner, then they certainly affect my decision making when they champion the environment. However, if they are flakes, it makes be feel that it is all hype, and just another political gimmick.
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August 14th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
A celebrity will never influence any of my decisions, values or opinions. While there may be good people out there, my belief is that a celebrity is generally self serving and only jumping on the bandwagon, and believing in something that will not get them into trouble. It is easy to take the environment and use it as your “platform” or charity, because there are really not many people to offend. But lets see them stand for an issue that most of society disagrees with. God forbid they stand up and have some courage. Can’t stand celebrities. I think they should shut up
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August 14th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
NO. Why would anyone expect a celebrity to have better information or a better opinion than anyone else who is willing to do their own homework?
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August 15th, 2008 at 10:35 am
The way celibrities will influences me by talking about greenness is not about how will I act/react on my environment, but rather how will keep liking them.
I mean I didn’t wait for other people (celibrities are nothing else but people like u and me but with more photographers arround) to tell me how do I have to behave. But a person (being celibrity or not) who won’t care about environment won’t be a “celibrity” to me …
It’s like ur workmate who u used to like untill the day he told you he batch-print out his emails every morning because it’s “easyer” for him to read it, and trash 80% of those as they are not involving him directly …
A person who will talk about environment in the newspaper (I don’t have TV as it’s rubish push uninformation) won’t necessary be a friend to me, but will gain a bit of my respect still.
In another hand, a person who doesn’t show respect vs environment (e.g. washing the car every sunday with tape / drinkable water) won’t be a friend, even worst if that person doesn’t change its habits after I told him about environment concers (I, at first, assume the person is not necessary aware. But once I told her, then there is no excuse)
So .. celebrities are just another people talking about environment until one can witness their actual behaviour against that matter.
Eric, from Paris.
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August 15th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
No, celebrities should encourage participation and leave their opinions out of it…
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August 16th, 2008 at 12:45 am
Yes Celebrities influence me. They influence everybody. That’s why they are used in commercials. That is why famous people are the one’s who earn the big bucks. Some smart celebrities have realized that wealthy people do not have to use their money to destroy the planet. Rather, they can use their money and influence to REDUCE the size of their footprint on the planet rather than making it bigger. Historically, wealthy people demonstrated their “superiority” by their ability to waste money and resources on extravagant displays. Now, smart celebrities are turning this on its head, by showing that people with some discretionary money can be LESS wasteful not moreso. By driving electric cars, for example. Or putting solar electric or solar hot water on their houses. If you are poor, you cannot afford to do these things. But, if you are intelligent, and have money, you can do these things, and help save the planet! Smart People, Attractive People, Wealthy People, Successful People help save the planet. Only pathetic losers continue to destroy the planet — by driving big SUVs and Pickup Trucks, for example!
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August 17th, 2008 at 2:04 am
Yes, ‘celebs’ do influence me… to do the OPPOSITE of anything they endorse. These people, by and large, live the most sheltered, narrow lives and exhibit the most closed, and even reprobate, minds and lifestyles! They are losers in the big picture and, after all… they are professional liars.
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August 18th, 2008 at 8:59 am
It depends on the celebrity. If it’s someone that I don’t like and/or someone who seems rather unintelligent (i.e. Paris Hilton), then no, I don’t care…in fact, anything that people like that promote I tend to dismiss more easily. On the other hand, if it’s something that I like and/or someone who seems to have a pretty good head on their shoulders, then promoting a particular view or product can at the very least, raise my awareness of (in a positive manner) and provide some amount of credibility to it.
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August 18th, 2008 at 11:05 am
No. Celebrities are not necessarily the most informed on important issues such as the environment.
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August 18th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
No, celebrities do not have a clue about their “causes”, especially the environment. As an environmental professional (engineer), I believe they do nothing but lead ignorant Americans away from the facts.
Case in point - Al Gore has no clue what he is talking about with regards to climate change. Anyone who would take the time to read the IPCC report on climate change could easily see that the earth’s climate has been changing (both warming AND cooling) for thousands of years BEFORE man started burning fossil fuels. There are actually more scientists who disagree with “climate change” than who agree with it.
http://www.petitionproject.org
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August 18th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Who do you pay attention too?
The choices we make, who we consider celeberties, and which celeberties choose to follow the right way to live, they are just people actors. The celeberties I prefer to follow are the ones that work in the Labs of research, accountants, data entry and collections, writers, photographers etc..
At this time in history the information we have access to and how we choose to use it can make a very big change in things. Many things there seems to be too much information, and others not enough, or put together in the right way. Interpretations of data, depends on the questions being ask. As the population incresses so will a lot of statistics, and if that isn’t enough to let you know there is a proper way to do things, then you have checked out. For those that choose to continue and follow this journey of Life, we need to reaslize there are many people that need help as those to give it. We are living at a time when we have access to more answers than we have questions. It is just taking the human brain time to absorbe and utilize it.
I have often wondered when a web site will come up, that rates celeberties on how green they are. I wanted to do a survey on our politicians, and find out how many and who were following the suggestions, and doing their part, since most of them can pay someone to do it for them. I even wondered why Oprah didn’t do more for the cause, she could hire an anaylsist to plan it out for her.
Finding your place in an ever changing world can get complicated. Instead of asking if we pay attention to celeberties, hard not to do when they are plastered about everywhere, newspapers, tv and radio, etc.
I think we need to pay closer attention to what the scientist and chemist, biologist, anthropologist, and physist, scociologist, are telling us and have been trying to warn people for the past 20 or 30 years. It’s time for the shock to have worn off, and people getting it together. Stop worring about whos right, and what party they are just do the right thing. Smoking kills you, destroying the planet is also dangerous to your health.
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August 19th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Not ever!
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August 19th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Yes, it definitely DOES affect my decision making. I tend to stay AWAY from their performance venue or anything that they endorse. My viewer ship of NASCAR dropped following “Days of Thunder,” and I have AVOIDED seeing the War of the Worlds and Mission Impossible remakes in their entirety. Nah, the celeb can take their opinions and stick em.
BTW, ever check out the Mercury Deposition Network? http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/mdn/
Did you know that one CFL bulb can put out enough mercury to contaminate 200 cubic meters at levels ABOVE the scale of their charts?
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August 19th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Movie stars are mostly fanatics both environmentaly and politicaly. Most of the ones you see promoting anything are not as popular as the used to be and are only trying to get back in the limelight to find work. Now to see a major company announce on TV like Proctor and Gamble stating that they are going all green and get most of their power form methane gas thats in a landfill to power one of their plants, now that influenances my decesion.
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August 19th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
No, celebrities do not influence my decisions, however they do have the power to bring issues to the attention of many more individuals than the average person. They may do something as simple as wear a t-shirt showing their support, someone snaps a photo and they’re on the front cover of a magazine, people wonder what the t-shirt means and they look it up, next thing you know they’re involved, certainly not a bad thing.
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August 20th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Absolutely not, unless they have a Doctorate in the field about which they are pontificating! They are superficial, erroneous and generally pandering to what they consider the ignorant masses. It takes about 6 weeks for me to reverse the brain-washing they inflict on my University students. Let them stick to their areas of competence and otherwise shut up.
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RDR reply on August 20, 2008 4:35 pm:
I listen to people who back up their statements with verifiable facts and data, such as in the cases where I personnally pay attention - backed by University studies headed by an environmental scientist / professor. I appreciate and acknowledge your position and agree that some “celebrities” do - in fact comment and opine in matters in which they are not educated - but more importantly - issues of which they do not possess an intimate knowledge. However, not achieving a PHD - presumably in an environmental field does not implicate that one does not have enough knowledge to comment. Celebrities that I listen to are simply mouthpieces for those who haven’t the skills to orate in a potentially dramatic setting such as a news conference. Recognizing that you are an extremely learned man presumably in the environmental field - I will answer your question preemptively - a BS in Facilities Management, Masters in Construction Engineering and my wife is a PHD in Applied Psychology as a civilian contractor to the DOD.
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August 20th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Not really. Celebrities are usually controlled by marketing managers who guide them on creating a positive image. Many will adopt children or give to charities to keep their name in the limelight, so championing the environment is an easy thing for them to do as they jet set around the world shopping, partying and pushing products and services that are negative to the environment.
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August 20th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
not really. I agree with what “Nora” says. Also, I think most celebrities champion environmental causes because it’s the “in” thing to do. Kind of like “everyone else is doing it so I should too”. Remember when the Prius was new? When one celeb has one many were getting them. Trend followers! I don’t need some celebrity to make up my mind or to influence my thought or opinion. I have enough sense to form my own opinion thank you very much.
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August 20th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
ya
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August 21st, 2008 at 11:02 am
Absolutely not. Most pop culture celebrities are so out of touch with reality that they have no real idea whatsoever what is best for other people’s lives, much less global economics and weather patterns. They can’t hardly take care of their own marriages, much less anything else of real importance in the world.
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August 21st, 2008 at 5:21 pm
I take no notice of what celebrities think, say, or do about the environment. Just because someone can sing a song or act in a movie doesn’t make him or her an environmental policy expert.
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August 22nd, 2008 at 2:03 pm
The only thing that they know about is making films etc. When I want to know about the environment I will follow the advise of a good, non biased scientist not someone who spends their life in make believe land.
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August 22nd, 2008 at 11:55 pm
I am not a statistic beleiver but the truth remains that celebrity can definitely impact us ,average people. It is spectacular how Oprah Winfrey’s position on Obama’s side got millions of Americans changing their minds . Of course Celebrity play a big role in how our world revolves, they are many people examples ,role models and obsessions.It is funny how The “fan” factor impacts .
Now speaking of celebrities ,who are the real ones ?,the ones that are supposed to be known?.Funny is that these people, environmentalists ,engineers etc.. those who are doing great change in our world right now are the one who keep low profiles.
Those who are beeing mediatized cheat only by letting TV channels waste so much energy (lol? on them and those who are selling eco-products do only by usic plastic emballages.
Now seriously,that ’s how it has always been .We cannot change anything.Personnaly they don’t impact me.The most important is that anybody ,everybody should make it because they feel concerned not because some celebrities said so….
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August 23rd, 2008 at 1:18 am
Todays youngsters are so much influenced by the celebreties that they like to do each and everything they do. Today the media is also playing a great role in publicizing each and everything they are going to do.So if the celebreties are involving in such social activities for protecting the environment it is very good,whether they are doing this for their own needs for becoming the public figure and publicizing their own productions .
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August 23rd, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Absolutely not!
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August 23rd, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Administrator of the EPA Stephen L. Johnson, During his Senate confirmation hearing, Johnson was criticized for his support of using human subjects in pesticide testing. In April, 2005, a hold was placed on his confirmation vote after he refused to cancel the Children’s Environmental Exposure Research Study, which advocated recording the effects of pesticides on children from infancy to age 3. On April 8, Johnson canceled the study. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on April 29.
That is a REAL issue, Not your silly Celebrity Questions.
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August 25th, 2008 at 1:22 am
Hello every one..
I believe that celebrities do influence my decision making related to environment. eg: excellent talk by Mr. Al Gore on Global warming. Today it has become a fad to talk of and champion for environmental causes is a different issue. Whether this threat is real or spiced up remains a doubt. Almost all environmental firms have jumped into GHG related projects because these are very much profitable. In the current decade, with out any doubt environment is the most sought after topic in the media, both print and TV. But for not-so-rich nations, environment comes only after all the needs of poor are met.
Regards
With Love
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August 25th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Since most of them did not complete the 10th grade and all have some sort of chemical dependancy, why would any sane person waste their time ? Granted, next to a “journalsit” from the media, they look like geniusus, but in the final analysis, they are simply marionettes put here for our entertainment. I wish they would just shut up and sing, dance , or act.
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August 25th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
No datgum way. Only in their dreams
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August 25th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Yes, I always take advice on complex mathematical, scientific, technological, and engineering problems from actors and musicians. I mean, who is better qualified to evaluate various climate models or develop new techniques for solving chaotic nonlinear systems? Future breakthroughs will be made possible only by the pioneering work being done by todays actors and musicians!!!
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oscar reply on September 1, 2008 8:42 am:
well said
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oscar reply on September 1, 2008 8:44 am:
Wait! Do you mean to say celebrities only THINK the universe revolves around them?
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August 27th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Normally I don’t but I was home with a sick kid and ended up flipping past OPRAH’s show on going GREEN. I ended up learning about these products and how the Shaklee Corporation has been a green company for over 50 years. I ended up buying Shaklee’s Get Clean non-toxic cleaning products to use for my family. I love them.
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September 1st, 2008 at 8:41 am
No. The last thing I want to do is to listen to a “celebrity”. They are usually empty headed millionaires who studied theater or some such and never took a class in economics or physics or organic chemistry. I suspect they adopt their positions based on what the percieve to be the current politically correct sentiment and probably would not even do that, if they didn’t feel they had to talk about somehting on a talk show.
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