Yahoo News Laura Whitmore defends ‘excessive’ flying between UK and South Africa for Love Island
Laura Whitmore has spoken out after facing criticisms for her “excessive” flying between London and Cape Town to film Love Island, which she is hosting.
On Sunday, the TV and radio presenter tweeted a photograph of herself landing in the UK at 5am ahead of her BBC Radio 5 Live show.
“Morning London! Just landed and back on air @bbc5live at 10am,” the 34-year-old wrote.
But the tweet prompted a backlash as people questioned the environmental impact of Whitmore flying back and forth between the two locations so frequently.
“Laura Whitmore should be sacked,” one Twitter user wrote. “Who thinks it’s okay to fly that much? What a complete disregard for the state of the planet!”
Another said: “I’m sorry but you could easily do your radio live in South Africa and easily present Love Island Aftersun (I’m sure Itv2 could pay for guests to fly out)! I think it’s ridiculous that you’re traveling back and forth! You need to think more of the climate!”
However, some people disagreed and argued that it would be "quite ridiculous" to expect guests from Love Island Aftersun and Whitmore's radio show to fly 10 hours to Cape Town.
"Plus they still have to get back somehow and that would cause more of a carbon footprint," one user tweeted. "Think before you accuse people of things."
The fact she has already carried out a 12,000 mile round trip to Cape Town over six times since the show began two weeks ago is excessive! She has completely disregarded the Carbon footprint and the planet! When as influencer surely you shouldn’t be promoting it!
— Joe (@joerobertsc)
Whitmore replied to one of the comments and explained that Love Island Aftersun, the programme’s additional weekly show, is filmed in the UK.
“Hi Jane, Love Island Aftersun is filmed in London – as all the guests are based in the UK," she tweeted.
"I’m only in Cape Town for the finale, public voting etc. And I’m an advocate of offsetting carbon footprint you’ll notice on my Twitter. Thanks x."
Whitmore was referring to tweets she had posted just days earlier about offsetting your carbon footprint.
"There's some amazing projects out there that you can use to offset your carbon footprint," she wrote.
There’s some amazing projects out there that you can use to offset your carbon footprint. I use https://t.co/FWr4s5gnpm as you can choose a wide range of projects to support. This time I chose Forest Plantations in Uruguay and they give you a certificate! Check them out! 🌍 🌲 pic.twitter.com/nnWQN7f8HO
— Laura Whitmore (@thewhitmore)
"I use https://co2nsensus.com as you can choose a wide range of projects to support. This time I chose Forest Plantations in Uruguay and they give you a certificate! Check them out!"
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