Leo, please say it isn’t true.
Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio came under fire this week for his decision to hitch a ride on private jet to fly from Cannes to New York City and then fly back to Cannes all within 24 hours. Ironically, DiCaprio, arguably Hollywood’s most vehement and outspoken environmentalist and one of my all-time favorite actors, made the overnight hop back to New York to accept an award for his advocacy for environmental efforts.
I’m fairly certain that when DiCaprio played Howard Hughes in “The Aviator” he may have learned that airplanes run on fossil fuels.
The actor has been an environmental advocate for years. He not only puts up his own money for a variety of causes through his foundation but is also a visible presence in global discussions about his strong views on protecting the environment. His Oscar acceptance speech earlier this year addressed his fears about the future of the planet and the need for the world community to act now.
He also has at least four Hollywood A-list style residences and a yacht. And, if you believe the pictures all over the internet, he allegedly smokes. According to numerous sources, tobacco smoke is 10 times worse for pollution than car exhaust.
Experts will tell you that credibility is a factor in most communication. As we receive messages, we assess the credibility of the sender. As perceived credibility of the sender goes down, so does the validity and perceived truth of the message.
To clarify, there are few celebrities who have given as much of their time, talent and treasure to a dedicated cause as has Leonardo DiCaprio. His voice through his celebrity has brought incredible awareness to a variety of significant environmental issues. Unfortunately, the strength of his conviction is weakened by what seem to be some contradictory decisions.
Just imagine, however, how powerful the message would have been for Leo to accept his award via SKYPE from Cannes so as not to expand his already expansive carbon footprint.
My disappointment with Leo isn’t about the debate on the science of climate change. It’s more about what I like to call “cause hypocrisy.” Taking a stand against or for some cause but then adopting the I-don’t-mean-me approach to living that issue.
It’s sort of like our elected officials voting for and mandating healthcare for all, but exempting themselves from the requirement.
It’s like when folks on the top end of the income scale such as celebrities or politicians avow income equality and redistribution when so many of them live in excess with cars and numerous houses and just general abundance and excess.
Al “Climate Change” Gore has been a notorious cause hypocrite for years. Mansions, private jets, international travel and gas guzzling SUVs — but we are supposed to believe in his passion for environmental issues.
And then there is the gun issue. People in the public eye who are vehement anti-gun activists at the same time that their bodyguards or security staff use guns as part of the protection duty.
Maybe the I-don’t-mean-me crowd thinks we won’t notice.
Cause hypocrisy is not limited to those on one side of the political spectrum. The number of people who avow conservative religious values – loving thy neighbor, applying the golden rule – who then judge and do harm to others in the name of religion are too numerous to list. From televangelists to self-avowed Christians who raise the bar on hate related to issues in the news, the causes or missions of these hypocrites are significantly damaged by decisions that are contradictory.
It’s the people who are the most vocal and whose fists are raised the highest who seem to be the most at risk for contradicting themselves.
In truth, most people who oppose gun control don’t buy guns. There are many people who believe in giving to others who don’t have as much. Many are willing to live at a lower standard so they can lend a hand. Many people who, in their strong faith, don’t judge or practice hate. Every day, I see my colleagues and students and alumni in outdoor-focused careers that talk the talk and walk the walk in supporting the environment in their long term and day to day life decisions. Electric cars. Homes built to green standards. Practicing zero waste. They believe it so they live it.
It’s not that hard to live up to our words. Celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and others can and should do the same. The causes that we support are impacted by the credibility of our words and our actions.
