Foodprints for the Future
Golden Globes goes plant based to address climate change
January 6, 2020
Last night as over 18 million people watched the Golden Globe Awards, almost 1,300 guests took their seats at the Beverly Hilton Hotel for a pre-show dinner that was entirely plant-based.
With that, a signal was sent to the world, one that has been so desperately needed: Animal agriculture is one of the major drivers of our climate crisis.
Animal agriculture accounts for more than 14% of greenhouse gas emissions — raising animals for food produces more greenhouse gas emissions than all the transportation combined. It is also a significant cause of deforestation. Going vegan, therefore, is the most immediate individual action we can take right now to help protect our planet.
“We don’t think we’ll change the world with one meal, but we decided to take small steps to bring awareness,” Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Lorenzo Soria told The Hollywood Reporter. “The food we eat the way it is processed and grown and disposed of, all of that contributes to the climate crisis.”
Plant-based diets weren’t the only climate items on the agenda last night.
Australian actor Russell Crowe won best actor in a limited series or motion picture made for TV for his role in The Loudest Voice, but he was not in attendance to receive the award. Crowe was in Australia with his family in his home country preparing for the latest bushfires.
“Make no mistake, the tragedy unfolding in Australia is climate change based,” said Crowe in a statement read at the event. “We need to act based on science, move our global workforce to renewable energy and respect our planet for the unique and amazing place it is. That way, we all have a future.”
Australian actress Cate Blanchett presented at the Golden Globe Awards last night, and she too used her platform to deliver a powerful message on climate action.
“I wanted to do a special call-out to the volunteer firefighters who have been at the center of battling the climate disaster that is facing Australia,” she said. “And of course, when one country faces a climate disaster, we all face a climate disaster, so we’re in it together, so thank you very much.”
One of the most anticipated awards, best actor for a motion picture – drama, was given to Joaquin Phoenix for his role in Joker. His acceptance speech also focused on climate change, referencing plant-based diets, voting and individual climate action.
“I think now, consuming animal products is no longer just a personal choice,” Phoenix, who is vegan, told reporters. “It is having a drastic and vast consequence on the rest of the world and all of us. I think it was incredibly brave and compassionate of the HFPA to make that decision. I’ve never been so proud to attend an award ceremony as I was tonight.”
Hollywood made a powerful statement last night. Let’s hope the rest of the country and world soon follow suit. Check out Earth Day Network’s campaign Foodprints for the Future to learn more.
