What Is Google Camp and the Celebrity Controversy Surrounding It?

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published 2 August 2019

Over the past 24 hours, you may have heard about Google Camp, a (formerly) top-secret event where some of the world's most influential people gathered in Sicily, Italy for a three-day private event to discuss important global issues. This year's topic was, naturally, climate change as we are in dire need of making concrete changes by 2030 before we are unable to repair irreversible catastrophic damages.

The problem? Celebrities and top global leaders—which reportedly included Katy Perry, Priyanka Chopra, Harry Styles, Leo DiCaprio, Prince Harry, and even former President Barack Obama—took yachts and private planes to get there, thus emitting an overwhelming amount of greenhouse gas into the air.

Royal reporter Rebecca English reported on the news this morning, stating Buckingham Palace refuses to discuss the claims (perhaps because this was supposed to be a secret event in the first place). Harry apparently even delivered a speech barefoot.

"Prince Harry faces accusations of hypocrisy as he is said to have flown by private jet & helicopter to Google jaunt for a speech on climate change," she tweeted. "If true, a huge error of judgement-compounded by Buckingham Palace’s astonishing refusal to discuss the claims."

Billionaire Summer Camp: The Rich And Famous Flock To Sicily For The Top Secret Google Retreat. Chris Martin performs at the ruins for VIPS including @Harry_Styles and @katyperry, via @Forbes https://t.co/knrsqZWlpw pic.twitter.com/sfvoh16tbGJuly 30, 2019

According to Page Six, the event reportedly cost Google around $20 million and was hosted at the luxurious Sicilian Verdura Resort with performances by Coldplay's Chris Martin. I mean, what would a discussion on climate change be without a performance of "The Scientist?"

This post will be updated as more information becomes available about Google Camp 2019.

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Rachel Epstein is a writer, editor, and content strategist based in New York City. Most recently, she was the Managing Editor at Coveteur, where she oversaw the site’s day-to-day editorial operations. Previously, she was an editor at Marie Claire, where she wrote and edited culture, politics, and lifestyle stories ranging from op-eds to profiles to ambitious packages. She also launched and managed the site’s virtual book club, #ReadWithMC. Offline, she’s likely watching a Heat game or finding a new coffee shop.