Director James Cameron says his wealthy environmentalist friends need to “wake the f— up” and stop “assuaging our liberal guilt” with Tesla and Prius purchases instead of making fundamental lifestyle changes.
The iconic producer/director and his environmentalist wife Suzy Amis Cameron told Variety for an interview published Tuesday that society is treating climate change like a fictional tale spun by Hollywood screenwriters.
“People need to wake the f–k up,” he told the entertainment magazine. “We’re going the wrong direction as fast as possible. I like to say that we’re like Thelma and Louise. We’re driving straight toward the canyon at 90 miles per hour with the radio cranked up and the top down.”
The couple then said that they focus on studying food consumption’s effect on the environment since other areas are better understood.
“We tried to find something that was less well understood and was a major lever that could effect change,” Mr. Cameron said. “Food is a good one. It’s probably the second-biggest one. Well ahead is transportation. We all drive around in our Teslas and our Priuses and think we are doing a great job, but really we’re all assuaging our liberal guilt. The real solution is: change the way you live.”
Mrs. Amis Cameron said that businesses like Verdient Foods, which the pair invested in, are leading the way by aiming for vertical integration.
“I mean, it’s not a trend — it’s actually the way the world is going,” she said, Variety reported. “[Buy electric and hybrid vehicles], but if you’re driving to McDonald’s? You’re not helping.”
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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