The well-known TV personality and car enthusiast, Jeremy Clarkson, admitted in an interview that he might have said some "odd things" about global warming, climate change and environmentalism over the years.
"I might have softened a bit in this respect with age", he says. Adding that "when we started Top Gear there was no talk of any of this anywhere, and while the rest of the world was starting to talk about things like going green, reducing energy consumption, having cars with smaller engines in them and so on, we kind of just carried on with what we had been doing for years. And the fans of the show did not mind either".
Top Gear was an immensely popular TV show back in the day. Clarkson was fired from the show in 2015 after a series of clashes with the staff, which also lead to the resignation of James May and Richard Hammond, the other hosts of the show.
Over the years Top Gear faced some criticism for the way it presented environmentalists in a bad or dismissive light. Clarkson reminisces: "I remember when one month in the UK one Spring was very chilly I dismissed global warming entirely, not really even thinking about what I was saying." He continues: "It is these sort of comments that nowadays, with all we know about the environment, may seem a bit, well, stupid, I must say".
Clarkson: "These days I no longer bash anyone who says they are eco-minded"
Mr. Clarkson has not gone all green and eco-friendly, though. He still likes cars and spends much of his free time joy riding around the UK and abroad. But there has been a mental shift from the old days. He says: "These days I no longer bash anyone who says they are eco-minded, drive a hybrid or electric car or are vegetarians, I understand these people, whereas in the past I did not really understand them at all."
"There is no doubt that changes has to happen towards eco-friendliness, in the way we produce our electricity or heating, what we eat and also what fuels our automobiles", Clarkson explains. "Technology helps, naturally, and it makes a difference what we individuals do, but big changes need to take place on the political level".
The congestion charges imposed on car drivers in many cities around the world was one topic that was frequently talked about on Top Gear, Clarkson being a devout believer in cars over public transportation or walking or cycling. "I do cycle and walk a lot more these days, doctor's orders, really, and in a way I enjoy it too, it is often more relaxed and enjoyable than sitting in your car during rush hour", Clarkson says now.
When asked about electric cars Clarkson says that "we tested a few on Top Gear and since then they have become much more common for a very good reason - they are much better and interesting these days". "Electric or fuel cell cars are definitely the technology that the mass produced cars will need to run on in the near future", he continues. "Petrol heads - who'll miss them?"
