A slew of artists have signed Extinction Rebellion’s open letter calling for action on the issue of climate change.
Extinction Rebellion is spurring media coverage and controversy everywhere it goes.
A new open letter released by worldwide climate activism group Extinction Rebellion has been signed by hundreds of actors and musicians. The high-profile names include Jude Law, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mel B, Nick Cave, Natalie Imbruglia, Daisy Lowe and Thom Yorke.
The letter comes in response to media conservatives who have called celebrities advocating for action on climate change hypocrites, based on the amount of long-distance travel that many celebrities undertake in their careers.
The letter reads:
“Dear journalists who have called us hypocrites, You’re right.
“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.
“There is, however, a more urgent story that our profiles and platforms can draw attention to.
”Life on earth is dying. We are living in the midst of the 6th mass extinction.”
The letter goes on to link to a statement from the International Monetary Fund, along with a quote from environmentalist Sir David Attenborough.
The letter continues:
“Climate change is happening faster and more furiously than was predicted; millions of people are suffering, leaving their homes and arriving on our borders as refugees.
“Alongside these people who are already paying the price for our fossil-fuelled economy, there are millions of children – called to action by Greta Thunberg – who are begging us, the people with power and influence, to stand up and fight for their already devastated future.
“We cannot ignore their call. Even if by answering them we put ourselves in your firing line.
“The stories that you write calling us climate hypocrites will not silence us.”
Other famous names who have signed on to the letter include: comedians Steve Coogan, Simon Amstell and Ruby Wax; actors Peter Capaldi and Poppy Delevingne; model Lily Cole; musicians Brian Eno, Bob Geldof and The Wombats; writer Neil Gaiman; and artist Nan Goldin.
The letter ends:
“Thousands of ordinary people are risking their freedom by taking part in non-violent civil disobedience. We’ve been inspired by their courage to speak out and join them. We beg you to do the same.”
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