Raise a glass: Drought-shamed celebrities turn to ‘eco-boasting’

Celebrities in California are fighting back against a campaign of so-called “drought shaming” over their lush mansion laws. With the Golden State now experiencing its fourth year of extreme drought, activists have taken to posting online images of well-watered gardens around the homes of the rich and famous. But stars like Cher and Kelly Osbourne are now using social media to highlight what they are doing to help conserve water - such as reusing their bath water.

We have people who probably never see their water bills because they’re quite wealthy and they have accountants who handle all of that.

John Sibert, mayor of Malibu

The fightback has been described as “eco-boasting”. Osbourne, the daughter of rocker Ozzy and television host Sharon, posted a picture of the bath water which she says she now recycles. In a series of tweets, music icon Cher raged about other wasters of water and posted pictures of water-saving palm trees in her Malibu garden. Water restrictions are now in place across California with residents increasingly tearing up grass and installing drought-tolerant plants and fake lawns.

When you see celebrities speak out about their conservation efforts, I think that is something that is going to be very useful in the future.

Debbie Levin, the president of the Environmental Media Association

Celebrity California drought