Celebrity Greenographies
Making eco-consciousness the next big thing
Most celebrities are content to make their movies and their millions, being fawned over by fans and having their images splashed across the pages of fashion magazines and gossip rags. That’s not enough for a growing number of stars, who for various reasons are promoting environmental and social causes and putting their money and time where their mouths are. Their good deeds are too many to be footnotes in a career bio, so we’re putting them all in one place -- the celebrity greenography.
Early adopters
Some of these Hollywood elite, like Ed Begley Jr., Edward Norton and Robert Redford, have been doing the green thing for most of their lives, supporting causes from natural resource conservation to alternative energy and reducing their own footprint by driving hybrids, living off-grid or declining extravagant celebrity gifts.
Environmental crusaders first
Others became celebrities because of their green pursuits. Take Al Gore, one-time vice president of the United States who spent years championing the environmental cause virtually unnoticed. One little slide show later and he’s won an Oscar, become the epitome of geek-chic and currently stands as the go-to guy for celebs with environmental aspirations. Cameron Diaz is just one actor who became a foot soldier in Gore’s army of climate change slide show presenters. The “Goracle”, as media outlets have dubbed him, has worked with billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson on a carbon capture competition and been publicly honored (and nudged to run for president again) by Leonardo DiCaprio, a star with an equally lengthy greenography.
Laurie David, wife of Seinfeld producer and Curb Your Enthusiasm star Larry David, has come into the public eye as producer of environmental documentaries such as Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth. She’s written extensively on climate change as a blogger and in books and magazines. David’s just one crusader who uses her influence in the entertainment industry to bring recognition to the cause.
New to the scene
There are many stars you won’t see on the greenography list yet, but they’re out there packing their resumes with one good deed after another. Some claim it’s just an attempt to jump on the bandwagon, but only time will tell if they’re serious about saving the earth or just looking for a little publicity. Check the Daily Green blog for your favorite stars and their eco-exploits.
