Jessica Alba has been seen driving around Hollywood in her hybrid car. The Oscars went ""green."" This is all part of the recent trend of celebrities fighting global warming. However, we question whether these celebrities have true concern for the environment or are merely posing for the cameras.
Obviously, celebrities do not park their hybrids in the driveways of small, energy-efficient homes. Instead, they drive up to energy-gobbling mansions with home movie theaters and personal spas. Although celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio seem to be sincere environmental advocates, the majority give the impression of merely following a trend because ""going green"" is the new ""it"" thing to do.
This July, Al Gore plans to put on a ""Live Earth"" concert to combat and raise awareness of global warming. The lineup includes John Mayer, Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson. Between their private jets, mansions and limousines, it would not be surprising if the performers use as much energy in a year as the entire city of Madison.
However, as long as celebrities provide an example for the rest of us to follow, perhaps it does not matter if they are only posing for the camera. If Americans become more environmentally conscious because of the light these celebrities shed on the issue, perhaps celebrity activism matters even if they are only being trendy.
The problem is that global warming is not just an isolated, minor issue—in essence, it is the slow suicide of the human race, and we are selfish enough to bring the rest of the Earth down with us. Our response to global warming cannot be a mere celebrity-induced trend or else in several years, when Hollywood moves onto the newest ""it"" cause, the rest of us will forget as well.
Our response to global warming must be deeper than a flashy trend. We must do more than run out and buy a Prius. Instead, we must have a complete overhaul of our lives, altering the very basics of how we live, from large changes such as using public transportation and alternative fuels and forms of energy, to the small things like replacing our light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs and turning off lights when leaving rooms. These habits must become second nature and more than just flashy gestures.
Our generation is in a unique position to reverse the deadly, earth-altering effects of global warming. Most students use little energy by living in small dorm rooms or apartments and walking, riding bikes and using public transportation. We have not yet moved into sprawling suburban homes with SUVs and big-screen TVs and have therefore yet to develop the energy-consuming habits of the older generations. It is much harder to change one's way of life after living a certain way for many years.
We, however, have not yet settled into a way of life and, therefore, can chose to start out on a different path, one that will slow global warming and save the planet. We can chose to live in smaller, energy-efficient houses, ride bikes and buy energy-saving appliances from the start.
As the experts keep reminding us, we have about a 10-year span to turn things around. This is our one chance and our responsibility. Although this may be a heavy burden, we should also feel lucky to have this power and opportunity to save the world and ourselves. No other generation before us has had such a responsibility. Because we have just one chance, we must do this right and leave the trends to Jessica Alba.
