Elyse Knowles talks climate change at the Formula One Grand Prix in Singapore
One day Elyse Knowles is an eco warrior preaching clean energy and renewables and the next she is attending the Formula One Grand Prix in Singapore — and that’s not figurative, it is literal.
Confidential
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One day Elyse Knowles is an eco warrior preaching clean energy and renewables and the next she is attending the Formula One Grand Prix in Singapore — and that’s not figurative, it is literal.
The model and newly rooted Byron Bay local was caught up in the climate contradiction after she posted a lengthy message to Instagram on Friday in support of the climate strike.
“Climate change is REAL and the impact it’s having is devastating,” she wrote to her 895,000 followers.
“We need our leaders to implement change. We need to support the brave kids protesting, as it’s their future at risk. It’s time to focus solely on renewable energy sources & walk away from burning fossil fuels & the creation of new oils. It’s not about convenience anymore, it’s about the future of the planet.”
The post accompanied pictures of children holding signs that read “For the trees,” “Save the ocean,” and “Don’t be a fossil fool”.
Then, not even a day later, Knowles uploaded several photos of herself at the Formula One in Singapore with watch maker Tag Heuer, sponsor of the Red Bull team.
While Formula One has made efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, including introducing hybrid engines, it has been pointed out that the logistics of flying the cars and teams to 21 races throughout the calendar year is the biggest issue. The 10 teams in the F1 transport tonnes of cars, spare parts, equipment and crew to 21 countries throughout the year.
Last year air travel burned an estimated 94 billion gallons (282 billion litres) of fuel, competing with cars for the highest output of CO2 — but there are about one billion cars in the world and only 40,000 planes. Knowles’s Instagram followers picked up on — and were vocal about — the irony of her contradicting posts, with comments including:
“Sorry mate, but you can’t have it both ways. Preach climate change/action then be flown to an F1 event. Hypocrisy at its best.”
“How’s that climate change protest going after flying on a plane and attending a sports car event well done.”
Sydney Confidential has contacted Knowles for comment.
Originally published as Elyse Knowles talks climate change at the Formula One Grand Prix in Singapore