Stars Try to Change Climate On Climate Change

As we've discussed here at Tonic a few times, everyone feels inspired to give more and do more over the holidays. And that's not really a bad thing — it's important to make sure families in your neighborhood have food to eat at Thanksgiving, and it's nice to give needy kids a gift to open on Christmas morning.

Many celebs spent the holiday season working for a variety of local and global causes, but lately more and more have been adding their voices to speak out about climate change. A group of 19 stars, including Scarlett Johansson, Annie Lennox, Colin Firth and Kristin Davis, have joined forces with Oxfam's newest initiative. In early December, the celebs signed a letter for Oxfam on the effects of climate change which went to world leaders involved in the United Nations climate negotiations in Poland. From the letter:

"It is desperately unfair that the poor should again feel the brunt, despite being least responsible. Wealthy nations, who are in their advantaged position because of heavy industrialization, are the most responsible and able to lead the world in tackling climate change. This is why they must show leadership in Poland and provide solutions that have the interests of the world's poor at their heart."

Cate Blanchett might not have signed Oxfam's letter (yet), but she's not shy to speak out about climate change. This isn't a new cause to Cate, but a recent interview she gave to Australia's Mindfood magazine reinforces her stand. In the interview, she said, "I think there is an opportunity in climate change. We all know the depressing facts but there is also the opportunity to re-ignite that sense of community. We are all consumers and if we change the way we consume and think in our communities we can have an enormously powerful effect on governments that need to be lobbied and on the big polluters who need to be shamed into action. But it is the grassroots action where the real opportunity in climate change lies."

Seriously, isn't that a fantastic way to think about the challenges ahead? Rather than letting it become depressing, we can look at it as a reason to get our communities fired up and working together. So, take a cue from your favorite stars and start with yourself. Find a petition to sign, join a cause, or find a way to help a cause. What better way is there to start the new year?

Photo courtesy of cateblanchett.net.