Celebrity eco-warriors
Follow the example of these Hollywood stars who are leading the way by driving eco-friendly cars, wearing green clothing and, most importantly, using their voices for a good cause.
- Hunky helpers
George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon: these three recipients of People’s Sexiest Man Alive award have more than good looks and a handful of films in common. Clooney likes to drive around in an electric car, and in 2006, launched Oil Change, a campaign to reduce America’s dependence on oil. Pitt, meanwhile, has not only poured money and effort into rebuilding New Orleans post-Katrina, but is also striving for it to be constructed in an environmentally friendly manner. Damon plays his part by narrating eco documentaries and, in 2006, he co-founded H2O Africa, a campaign to raise awareness about the water crisis in Africa.
- Leading ladies
Aside from driving hybrid car the Toyota Prius and filming spots on environmental issues with Gwyneth Paltrow, Cameron Diaz launched an eco-themed show on MTV called Trippin in 2005, and is one of a thousand people trained to give Al Gore’s climate change presentation. South African beauty Charlize Theron famously fought to abolish liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in Malibu in 2006 and travels in an Eco-Limo to the Oscars. Penelope Cruz has also signed up to the Red Carpet/Green Cars Campaign and is actively involved in Global Green’s Greenest City Challenge.
- Old-time activists
When you think of the environment, Al Gore is one of the first names to come to mind. From filming sobering documentary An Inconvenient Truth in 2006 to travelling around the world giving educational seminars, this Nobel Peace prize winner is a shining light. Daryl Hannah, meanwhile, not only uses solar power in her home and drives a bio-diesel car, she’s also a genuine tree-hugger — last year she was arrested after she staged a 23-day tree-sit in Los Angeles. Leonardo DiCaprio is not generally associated with the world ‘old’, but did you know he started his own (eponymous) foundation dedicated to environmental causes ten years ago.
- Parental instincts
Parenthood has been enough to push many celebs to try to make the world a better place. Julia Roberts, the spokesperson for Earth BioFuels, has played environmentalists on screen and has discussed climate change on 101 talk shows. Cate Blanchett lives in a solar-powered home and is currently ‘greening’ the Sydney Theatre Company where she now works alongside her playwright husband. Inspired by her mother Blythe Danner, who has been involved in recycling and conservation for over 30 years, Gwyneth Paltrow is an active participant in the Act Green campaign.
- Helpers of note
Colin Firth may play a human rights barrister in the Bridget Jones films, but in real life, eco-friendly living is his cause of choice. Last year Firth opened Britain’s first ecological store, Eco-Age, selling “all things ethical” including solar panels and artisan-made toys. Again in 2007, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan helped launched a partnership between climate change foundation Global Cool and the International Indian Film Academy as a way to raise awareness through cinema.
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