Russell Crowe gives stern warning about climate change in Golden Globes speech delivered by Jennifer Aniston

Russell Crowe was lauded for his performance as Roger Ailes, the late chairman of Fox News, in Showtime’s The Loudest Voice, Sunday at the Golden Globes. But it was Jennifer Aniston who gave his acceptance speech.

Aniston, who presented the award for best actor in a limited TV series or TV movie with Reese Witherspoon, announced that Crowe was not in attendance because of the wildfires near his home in Australia.

She read a statement that Crowe sent, in case he won.

Read more: Russell Crowe shares footage from his fire-damaged property

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

She then delivered a statement that Crowe had sent: “Make no mistake, the tragedy unfolding in Australia is climate change-based,” Aniston read. “We need to act based on science, move our global workforce to renewable energy, and respect our planet for the unique and amazing place it is. That way we all have a future.”

Fires across Australia, sparked late last year, have scorched 12 million acres of land so far, and they’re not expected to stop anytime soon.

The Gladiator star has posted social media photos of fires near his property in the country.

Days before Christmas, he shared a photo of himself with fellow Aussie Nicole Kidman, who were seated together on a flight back to the country.

Actor Cate Blanchett, another Australian native, also mentioned the brush fires onstage, as she presented.

“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,” the Globes-nominated star of Where’d You Go, Bernadette? said. “And of course, when one country faces a climate disaster, we all face a climate disaster, so we’re in it together.”

Celebrities were thinking of the fires behind the scenes, too. British star Phoebe Waller-Bridge announced in the press room, after winning best actress in a comedy for Fleabag, that she will auction offer her suit and donate the proceeds to fire relief, according to The Hollywood Reporter’s Kirsten Chuba.