MTV Trashes A Piece Of Rainforest For Their New Reality Show
Filed under: film-tv, not green, television — Michael d'Estries @ 10:01 pm
September 14th 2008
On September 17, MTV is getting ready to show off a new reality show called “Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Island“. Much like Survivor, it’s supposed to show a bunch of people “roughing it” while completing tasks, acting like asses, and other dramatic moments.
As one would expect, the real “reality” is much less exciting. In fact, as was recently reported by Michael Drake on the Tree Climber’s Coalition site, not only is the show basically scripted and shot in and around civilization, but it also appears to have done a good deal of environmental damage. Drake, along with others living on Boca del Drago Island in the Republic of Panama witnessed MTV clear a large section of rainforest for the set construction. In addition, they also trashed a pristine beach, disturbed a bird sanctuary island “off-limits” to human visitations, and left behind an insane amount of garbage, set debris, and refuse.
As Drake wrote, “MTV’s behavior in this situation has been rampantly inconsistent with their self-proclaimed ‘MTV Green Crusade’. I sense a bit of hypocrisy and I question their commitment toward being ‘green’.”
Of course, it’s not uncommon for television and movie productions to adversely impact their surroundings. The uproar surrounding the environmental damage done by DiCaprio’s film The Beach back in ‘99 comes to mind as something similar. What is surprising is that in this time of supposed “awareness” of these issues — and the efforts being done by studios like MTV to address them — that such a production would proceed forward without any care towards its impact. Not to mention the fact that they somehow figured nobody would care? Or talk about it online?
I encourage you to check out Drake’s full report on MTV’s negligence in Panama over on the Tree Climber’s Coalition site. These personal reports are vital for keeping tabs on what’s really happening behind the scenes — and we thank him for bringing it front and center. So MTV, what’s the story?
thats f’d up
Please sign the petition to make MTV accountable
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/MTVdamage
We’ve another ‘rain forest’ about to be trashed in South Africa. The last of the prestine coastlines, the SA east Coast of Transkei is the new location for australian mining. They are set move in within the week and we’ve been rallying people to sign an online petition to stop it. Please help any way you can,
go to http://www.petitiononline/xolobeni/petition.html and cast your vote to help save the Transkei beaches
this is no joke – for all you environ crazies, we need your help
please spread the word and love
peace
Our decedents (if they can survive) will rightly despise us and our thoughtless greed.
bomb mtv! leave their buildings a smoldering pile of refuse.
Ouch…Once again, the Money People exploit art and the planet.
karl haupt wrote: go to http://www.petitiononline/xolobeni/petition.html and cast your vote to help save the Transkei beaches
This link does not function… can it be corrected?
Thank you so much for posting this Michael! I have acted in two MTV commercials a few years back when I did non union work (before I was SAG) I’m not even SURE how they can air national commercials and not be forced to pay SAG wages. We literally sweated on a set for more hours than I care to count and got paid very little. Oh I won’t go into what I think of Mtv or how it ruined music today. But I’m not surprised most agree they SUCK!
I can’t believe in this day, with so many animals and land endangered that a powerful company like MTV would act so greedy and irresponsible. It really just goes to show how many companies are merely jumping on the green bandwagon to increase revenue and reputation. I hope everyone will sign the petition and hold them responsible for what they have done.
Ban Mtv!! They seem to have jumped on the green band wagon because it’s popular and not because they care. Greed at its finest.
They have no right, what so ever to go around trashing rainforsts. I bet you there reality tv show is gonna be full of down right complete SHIT!!
IT is wrong to harm mothernature herself.
love mother earth; she loves you.