Celebrities Who’ve Championed Environmental Causes Through Projects

Many high-profile figures in the entertainment industry use their platforms to address global ecological crises through dedicated initiatives and non-profit organizations. These celebrities leverage their influence to fund research, produce educational media, and lead grassroots movements. By integrating sustainability into their personal and professional lives, they aim to inspire legislative change and public awareness. Their projects range from clean water accessibility to the preservation of endangered ecosystems and the promotion of renewable energy.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio established his eponymous foundation in 1998 to protect the world’s last wild places and build a more sustainable relationship between humanity and nature. He produced and narrated the 2016 documentary ‘Before the Flood’, which examines the impacts of climate change on various global regions. The actor serves as a United Nations Messenger of Peace with a special focus on climate change advocacy. His foundation has granted millions of dollars to projects supporting biodiversity and renewable energy across all five oceans. He frequently uses his acceptance speeches at major awards ceremonies to highlight the urgency of environmental protection.

Mark Ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo is a prominent advocate for clean energy and the co-founder of The Solutions Project. This initiative aims to accelerate the transition to 100% renewable energy for all people and purposes. Ruffalo has been a vocal opponent of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, and appeared in the documentary ‘Gasland’ to highlight its environmental risks. He also founded Water Defense, a non-profit dedicated to clean water testing and corporate accountability. His activism often involves testifying before government bodies to push for stricter environmental regulations.

Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda launched ‘Fire Drill Fridays’ in partnership with Greenpeace to demand action on climate change from political leaders. Inspired by youth activists, she relocated to Washington, D.C., to lead weekly protests at the U.S. Capitol. These demonstrations focus on ending new fossil fuel exploration and transitioning to a fair and sustainable economy. Fonda has used her public profile to bring attention to the intersections of environmental justice and social equity. She continues to lead virtual and in-person events to educate the public on the climate crisis.

Jason Momoa

Jason Momoa was named the UN Environment Programme’s Advocate for Life Below Water in 2022. He has been a vocal supporter of the ‘Life Below Water’ initiative, focusing on the health of the world’s oceans. The actor founded Mananalu, a bottled water company that uses infinitely recyclable aluminum instead of single-use plastic. He actively campaigns against deep-sea mining and works to protect marine biodiversity from industrial threats. Momoa often participates in international summits to urge world leaders to take immediate action against ocean pollution.

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett spearheaded a major green renovation project at the Sydney Theatre Company during her time as artistic director. She oversaw the installation of one of Australia’s largest rooftop solar arrays and a massive rainwater harvesting system. The project, known as ‘Greening the Wharf’, aimed to make the historic venue carbon neutral. Blanchett also hosts the podcast ‘Climate of Change’, where she interviews experts about innovative solutions to the ecological crisis. She consistently advocates for sustainable practices within the global film and theater industries.

Robert Redford

Robert Redford has been a trustee of the Natural Resources Defense Council for over 40 years. He used his platform to produce ‘The New Environmentalists’, a series that highlights grassroots activists winning major ecological battles. Through the Sundance Institute, he has fostered the creation of numerous documentaries focusing on conservation and climate science. Redford was instrumental in the passage of several key environmental laws in the United States during the late 20th century. He continues to advocate for the protection of Western wilderness areas through various media campaigns.

Shailene Woodley

Shailene Woodley is a dedicated environmental activist who co-founded the non-profit organization All it Takes. She gained significant public attention for her involvement in the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline at Standing Rock. Woodley serves on the board of Our Revolution, an organization that supports progressive environmental policies. She narrated the documentary ‘Girl on Wave’ and has been involved in ocean conservation efforts with Greenpeace. Her work often emphasizes the importance of personal lifestyle changes alongside systemic political reform.

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix uses his public platform to advocate for the environmental benefits of a plant-based lifestyle. He executive produced the documentary ‘The End of Medicine’, which explores the link between animal agriculture and global health crises. During his 2020 Academy Award acceptance speech, he highlighted the ecological impact of the dairy industry. Phoenix frequently collaborates with organizations like PETA and Viva! to campaign for animal rights and habitat preservation. He insists on sustainable and vegan wardrobes for his film roles whenever possible.

Gisele Bündchen

Gisele Bündchen has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme since 2009. She launched the ‘Agua Limpa’ project in her hometown in Brazil to restore riparian vegetation and improve water quality. The supermodel has been a vocal advocate for the protection of the Amazon rainforest against deforestation and illegal mining. She released the book ‘Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life’, where she discusses her commitment to environmental stewardship. Bündchen also supports various initiatives focused on regenerative agriculture and biodiversity.

Matt Damon

Matt Damon co-founded Water.org to provide access to safe water and sanitation for communities in developing nations. The organization utilizes microfinance to help individuals secure long-term water solutions for their homes. Damon has appeared in numerous public service announcements to raise awareness about the global water crisis. He also narrated the documentary ‘Running Dry’, which examines the depletion of water resources worldwide. His project has reached tens of millions of people, significantly improving health and environmental conditions in targeted regions.

Emma Watson

Emma Watson is a leading advocate for sustainable fashion and ethical manufacturing processes. She famously wore a gown made from recycled plastic bottles to the Met Gala to highlight circular fashion. Watson collaborated with People Tree to create a fair-trade clothing line that prioritizes environmental standards. She frequently uses the ‘Good On You’ app to promote brands that have high ratings for their environmental impact. Her work encourages consumers to consider the ecological footprint of the garment industry.

Woody Harrelson

Woody Harrelson is a longtime environmentalist who co-founded Step Forward Paper to produce office paper from wheat straw. This project aims to reduce the reliance on forest-based pulp and lower the carbon footprint of paper production. He narrated the 2020 documentary ‘Kiss the Ground’, which explores the potential of regenerative agriculture to combat climate change. Harrelson has been a vocal supporter of industrial hemp as a sustainable alternative for various materials. He consistently promotes a vegan diet as a primary method for reducing individual environmental impact.

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford serves as the Vice Chair of Conservation International, an organization dedicated to protecting nature for the benefit of humanity. He has been involved with the group for over 30 years, participating in missions to safeguard tropical forests and marine ecosystems. Ford frequently narrates nature documentaries and provides voiceovers for the ‘Nature Is Speaking’ campaign as the voice of The Ocean. He has lobbied the U.S. government to maintain funding for environmental research and international conservation treaties. His work focuses on the intersection of planetary health and human security.

Don Cheadle

Don Cheadle was appointed a UN Environment Programme Goodwill Ambassador in 2010. He has worked extensively to raise awareness about the environmental roots of conflicts, particularly in African nations. Cheadle participated in the ‘Seal the Deal’ campaign to encourage global leaders to reach a binding climate agreement. He also starred in the documentary series ‘Years of Living Dangerously’, where he reported on the effects of extreme weather. He continues to support green energy initiatives and sustainable development projects globally.

Edward Norton

Edward Norton serves as the United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity. He is the president of the U.S. board of the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, which works to protect ecosystems in East Africa. The actor has promoted the use of green building materials and helped launch the BP Solar Neighbors program. This initiative provided solar power systems to low-income families in Los Angeles for every celebrity who signed up. Norton frequently speaks at international conferences about the economic value of preserving natural habitats.

Adrian Grenier

Adrian Grenier co-founded the Lonely Whale Foundation to inspire empathy and action for ocean health. The organization led the ‘Stop Sucking’ campaign, which was instrumental in the global movement to ban plastic straws. Grenier serves as a UN Environment Programme Goodwill Ambassador, focusing on the reduction of single-use plastics. He produced the documentary ’52: The Search for the Loneliest Whale’, which highlights the impact of noise pollution on marine life. His work emphasizes the power of consumer choices in driving corporate environmental responsibility.

Pierce Brosnan

Pierce Brosnan has been a long-term advocate for whale conservation and marine protection. He worked with the International Fund for Animal Welfare to oppose the use of high-intensity sonar that harms marine mammals. The actor produced the documentary ‘Poisoning Paradise’, which explores the environmental impact of pesticide testing in Hawaii. He and his wife, Keely Shaye Brosnan, have received numerous awards for their environmental filmmaking and activism. Brosnan frequently uses his artistic talents to support various conservation charities and land trust initiatives.

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep co-founded the organization Mothers & Others in the late 1980s to advocate for safer food standards. The group successfully campaigned to remove harmful pesticides, like Alar, from the commercial apple supply. Streep has narrated several environmental documentaries, including ‘The Living Sea’ and ‘Arctic Tale’. She remains a supporter of the Natural Resources Defense Council and its efforts to protect public health. Her environmental work often focuses on the direct impact of toxins and pollutants on children and families.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger founded the R20 Regions of Climate Action to help sub-national governments implement low-carbon projects. As Governor of California, he signed the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, setting a precedent for state-level climate policy. He hosts the Austrian World Summit, an annual conference that brings together leaders to discuss practical climate solutions. Schwarzenegger has been a vocal proponent of shifting the narrative of climate change to focus on pollution and immediate health benefits. He continues to invest in and promote clean vehicle technology and renewable energy infrastructure.

Pharrell Williams

Pharrell Williams serves as the Creative Director for Bionic Yarn, a company that turns recycled ocean plastic into durable textiles. He collaborated with G-Star Raw to create the ‘Raw for the Oceans’ clothing collection using these sustainable materials. Williams was also the Creative Director for the 2015 Live Earth concerts, which aimed to raise awareness for climate action. He frequently integrates messages of sustainability into his artistic projects and business ventures. His work demonstrates how the entertainment and fashion industries can lead in circular economy innovations.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman is a dedicated vegan who advocates for the environmental benefits of plant-based living. She produced and narrated the documentary ‘Eating Animals’, based on the book by Jonathan Safran Foer, which examines the environmental costs of factory farming. The actress collaborated with high-end brands like Dior to create vegan footwear alternatives for her promotional campaigns. She frequently speaks about the connection between animal welfare, human health, and ecological stability. Portman supports various environmental organizations, including Global Green USA, which focuses on sustainable urban development.

Bindi Irwin

Bindi Irwin continues the legacy of her late father, Steve Irwin, through the Wildlife Warriors organization. She leads various conservation projects, including the protection of the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Queensland from mining threats. Bindi uses the television series ‘Crikey! It’s the Irwins’ to educate global audiences about the importance of biodiversity. She has been a spokesperson for the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund and other marine protection groups. Her work focuses on rehabilitating injured wildlife and preserving natural habitats for future generations.

Rosario Dawson

Rosario Dawson co-founded Studio 189, a social enterprise that uses fashion to promote sustainable development in Africa. The brand utilizes traditional craftsmanship and eco-friendly materials to create clothing that supports local communities. Dawson is an active board member of Voto Latino, where she links environmental issues to civic engagement and social justice. She has participated in various documentaries and campaigns focused on the impact of waste on marginalized populations. Her activism highlights the intersection of environmental sustainability, human rights, and economic empowerment.

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts serves as a global ambassador for the Clean Cooking Alliance, which promotes clean cookstoves to reduce indoor air pollution. This project aims to prevent deforestation and reduce carbon emissions in developing countries. She has also worked as a spokeswoman for EarthEcho International, an organization founded by the grandchildren of Jacques Cousteau. Roberts narrated the ‘Mother Nature’ segment of the ‘Nature Is Speaking’ film series. Her environmental efforts often focus on the health and empowerment of women in relation to natural resource management.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie established the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation in Cambodia to preserve the country’s endangered environments and wildlife. The foundation’s project covers a large protected area where it works to combat illegal logging and poaching. Jolie has collaborated with the UN and various NGOs to highlight how environmental degradation contributes to the global refugee crisis. She recently partnered with Guerlain and UNESCO for the ‘Women for Bees’ program to promote bee conservation and female entrepreneurship. Her conservation work is deeply integrated with her humanitarian missions in conflict-affected regions.

David Attenborough

David Attenborough has spent decades documenting the natural world through groundbreaking series like ‘Life on Earth’ and ‘Our Planet’. His later work, specifically ‘A Life on Our Planet’, serves as a witness statement regarding the decline of global biodiversity. He has used his influence to call for urgent action at COP26 and other international climate forums. Attenborough’s projects have been credited with shifting public opinion on plastic pollution and the reality of the climate crisis. He continues to advocate for a “rewilding” of the planet to restore ecological balance.

Jaden Smith

Jaden Smith co-founded JUST Water, a company that packages spring water in paper-based bottles derived from renewable resources. The project focuses on reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional plastic bottling and transportation. Smith also launched the ‘501CTHREE’ non-profit, which provides clean water filtration systems to communities like Flint, Michigan. He uses his music and fashion influence to promote conversations about resource scarcity and innovative technology. His work targets younger generations to inspire entrepreneurial solutions to environmental challenges.

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Maggie Gyllenhaal is a longtime supporter of Greenpeace and has participated in numerous campaigns to protect the Arctic. She narrated the documentary ‘The Island President’, which tells the story of the Maldives’ fight against rising sea levels. Gyllenhaal frequently advocates for organic farming and the elimination of toxic chemicals from consumer products. She has used her platform to support the ‘Green Schools’ initiative, which promotes sustainable infrastructure in education. Her activism often focuses on the long-term environmental safety of the planet for future generations.

Sting

Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler, founded the Rainforest Foundation Fund in 1989 after witnessing the destruction of the Amazon. The organization works specifically to protect the rights of indigenous peoples who act as guardians of the forest. The project has successfully helped indigenous groups legally secure millions of acres of their ancestral lands. Sting has organized numerous benefit concerts to fund conservation efforts and legal battles against industrial exploitation of the rainforest. His work emphasizes that protecting human rights is essential to successful environmental conservation.

Daryl Hannah

Daryl Hannah is a veteran environmental activist known for her commitment to sustainable living and direct action protests. she co-founded the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance to promote the use of clean-burning, locally produced biofuels. Hannah has been arrested multiple times for participating in non-violent demonstrations against oil pipelines and mountain-top removal mining. She maintains an eco-friendly lifestyle in an off-grid home powered by solar energy and grows her own organic food. Her project, ‘dhlovelife’, provides resources and information for people looking to transition to more sustainable ways of living.

Please share your thoughts on which of these celebrity-led environmental initiatives you find most impactful in the comments.