Joaquin Phoenix and Cate Blanchett highlight Australia wildfire crisis during Golden Globes

‘I wanted to do a special call-out to the volunteer firefighters who have been at the centre of battling the climate disaster that is facing Australia,’ says Blanchett

Joaquin Phoenix and Cate Blanchett have spoken out about Australia’s ongoing wildfire crisis at the Golden Globes.

The fires in Australia have killed a total of 24 people so far, and have destroyed more than 1,300 houses in the state of New South Wales alone.

On Sunday evening, Blanchett spoke about the fires before she presented an award.

“There are a lot of Australians in the room tonight,” she said. “I know we are all very grateful for the call-outs to our fellow compatriots who are suffering under the bushfires, so thank you.

“I wanted to do a special call-out to the volunteer firefighters who have been at the centre of battling the climate disaster that is facing Australia.

“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.”

Meanwhile, Phoenix, who picked up the award for Best Actor in a drama, used his speech to demand change in order to support those battling the fires in Australia and fight the climate crisis.

“It’s really nice that so many people have come up and sent their well wishes to Australia but we have to do more than that,” the Joker star said.

“It’s such a beautiful gesture and I have not always been a virtuous man,” he said. “I’m learning so much and so many in this room have given me multiple opportunities to get it right and I’m deeply grateful, but hopefully together we can get unified and make some changes.”

The actor teased that celebrities, including himself, “don’t have to take private jets to Palm Springs to the awards sometimes”.

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Another Golden Globes winner to use their speech to highlight the Australia wildfires was Russell Crowe, who was awarded Best Actor in a Limited series for his role in The Loudest Voice. Crowe did not attend the ceremony but provided a message that was read out for him by Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon.

“Russell Crowe could not be here with us tonight because he is at home in Australia protecting his family from the devastating bushfires,” said Aniston before reading the note.

“Make no mistake, the tragedy unfolding in Australia is climate change-based,” the note stated.

“We need to act based on science, move our global work force to renewable energy and respect our planet for the unique and amazing place it is. That way, we have a future. Thank you.”

Other stars including Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Ellen DeGeneres also spoke about the Australian wildfires at the award ceremony, while Patricia Arquette used her acceptance speech to highlight the fact that “the continent of Australia is on fire”.

Australian actors Margot Robbie and Nicole Kidman urged their fans to donate to Australian firefighters ahead of the ceremony.

Robbie used Instagram TV to film a clip in which she shared photographs from her childhood and urged followers to “please donate anything you can”.

“Whatever you would spend on your next cup of coffee, even a dollar would help,” she added. “Let’s give future generations the kind of childhood I was so lucky to have.”