Celebrities Who’ve Championed Environmental Causes Through Projects

Numerous well-known entertainers are using their public standing to tackle environmental problems. They’re supporting research, creating educational content, and starting community-level efforts, often through charities they create or support. By living sustainably themselves, they hope to encourage both new laws and greater public understanding. Their work covers a wide range of issues, including providing clean water, protecting threatened habitats, and promoting sources of energy that are better for the planet.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio started his foundation in 1998 with the goal of protecting wild areas and promoting a healthier connection between people and the environment. He created and narrated the 2016 documentary ‘Before the Flood,’ which explores how climate change is affecting different parts of the world. DiCaprio is also a United Nations Messenger of Peace, focusing his efforts on raising awareness about climate change. Through his foundation, he’s given millions of dollars to support projects that help biodiversity and develop renewable energy sources in all the world’s oceans. He often uses his platform at award shows to emphasize the critical need for environmental protection.

Mark Ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo is a well-known supporter of clean energy and helped create The Solutions Project, which works to move the world to 100% renewable energy. He strongly opposes fracking and raised awareness about its dangers in the documentary ‘Gasland’. Ruffalo also started Water Defense, a non-profit that tests water quality and holds companies accountable for pollution. He frequently speaks to government officials, urging them to create stronger environmental protections.

Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda teamed up with Greenpeace to create ‘Fire Drill Fridays,’ a series of protests aimed at urging political leaders to address climate change. Motivated by young activists, she moved to Washington, D.C., to hold weekly demonstrations at the Capitol. These protests call for an end to new oil and gas drilling and a shift towards an economy that is both just and environmentally friendly. Fonda leverages her platform to highlight how environmental issues connect with fairness and equality. She continues to organize both online and in-person events to raise awareness about the climate crisis.

Jason Momoa

In 2022, Jason Momoa became an advocate for ocean health with the UN Environment Programme. He’s a passionate supporter of protecting our oceans and has founded Mananalu, a company selling water in aluminum bottles instead of plastic. Momoa also actively fights against deep-sea mining and works to shield marine life from harmful industrial practices. He frequently speaks at global events, encouraging world leaders to address ocean pollution now.

Cate Blanchett

While artistic director of the Sydney Theatre Company, Cate Blanchett led a significant environmental upgrade. This included installing a large solar panel system on the roof and a system to collect rainwater. Called ‘Greening the Wharf,’ the project’s goal was to make the historic theater carbon neutral. Beyond this, Blanchett uses her podcast, ‘Climate of Change,’ to discuss potential solutions to environmental problems with leading experts. She’s a consistent voice for eco-friendly practices in film and theater worldwide.

Robert Redford

For more than 40 years, Robert Redford has supported the Natural Resources Defense Council as a trustee. He’s used his influence to create projects like ‘The New Environmentalists,’ which showcases the successes of local activists fighting for the environment. He also founded the Sundance Institute, which has helped produce many documentaries about conservation and climate change. Redford played a key role in passing important environmental laws in the U.S. during the late 1900s, and he still works to protect wild lands in the West through public awareness campaigns.

Shailene Woodley

I’m a big fan of Shailene Woodley, and it’s amazing how much she cares about the environment! She actually co-founded this non-profit called All it Takes, which is really cool. A lot of people probably know her from when she protested the Dakota Access Pipeline at Standing Rock – she was so brave to stand up for what she believes in. She’s also involved with Our Revolution, pushing for better environmental policies. Beyond that, she narrated a documentary called ‘Girl on Wave’ and works with Greenpeace to protect our oceans. What I really admire is that she doesn’t just talk about big changes, she emphasizes that we all need to make changes in our own lives too, alongside pushing for political reform. She really walks the walk!

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix is a passionate advocate for plant-based living, often speaking about its positive effects on the environment. He helped create the documentary ‘The End of Medicine’, which examines how animal farming connects to health problems worldwide. In his 2020 Oscar acceptance speech, he specifically called attention to the environmental damage caused by the dairy industry. Phoenix regularly works with animal rights groups like PETA and Viva! to protect animals and their habitats, and he makes an effort to wear sustainable, vegan clothing in his films whenever he can.

Gisele Bündchen

Since 2009, Gisele Bündchen has worked with the United Nations to promote environmental awareness. She started the ‘Agua Limpa’ project in her native Brazil to help revitalize local waterways and plant life. The supermodel is a strong voice for protecting the Amazon rainforest from destruction caused by deforestation and illegal mining. In her book, ‘Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life,’ she shares her dedication to caring for the environment. Bündchen also champions projects that support sustainable farming and protect different plant and animal species.

Matt Damon

I’ve always been so impressed by Matt Damon’s dedication to solving the global water crisis. He didn’t just lend his name to a cause; he co-founded Water.org, an organization that actually helps people get sustainable access to safe water and sanitation through small loans. He’s constantly working to raise awareness, even appearing in PSAs and narrating the powerful documentary ‘Running Dry’ which really opened my eyes to how serious the issue is. It’s incredible to think his work has already impacted tens of millions of lives, making real improvements to both health and the environment in communities that really need it.

Emma Watson

Emma Watson is a strong voice for eco-friendly and ethical fashion. She famously wore a dress made from recycled plastic to the Met Gala to showcase the idea of reusing materials. Watson also partnered with People Tree to design a fair-trade clothing collection that cares for the environment. She often recommends the ‘Good On You’ app to help people find brands with low environmental impact. Through her efforts, she encourages shoppers to think about how the fashion industry affects the planet.

Woody Harrelson

Woody Harrelson is a dedicated environmental advocate. He helped start Step Forward Paper, a company that makes office paper from wheat straw instead of trees, which lowers the environmental impact of paper production. He also narrated the 2020 documentary ‘Kiss the Ground,’ showcasing how farming practices that restore the land can help fight climate change. Harrelson is a strong believer in using industrial hemp as a sustainable material and regularly encourages people to eat a plant-based diet to reduce their impact on the environment.

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford is the Vice Chair of Conservation International, a group working to protect the natural world for people. For over three decades, he’s been actively involved with the organization, joining expeditions to protect rainforests and oceans. He’s also well-known for narrating nature documentaries, including lending his voice to ‘Nature Is Speaking’ as The Ocean. Ford has also worked with the U.S. government, advocating for continued funding of environmental research and international conservation efforts. His work highlights the connection between a healthy planet and human well-being.

Don Cheadle

Since 2010, Don Cheadle has been a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Environment Programme. He’s dedicated much of his work to highlighting how environmental problems can contribute to conflict, especially in Africa. He’s been involved in campaigns like ‘Seal the Deal,’ urging world leaders to create strong climate agreements, and he showcased the impact of severe weather in the documentary series ‘Years of Living Dangerously’. Today, he continues to champion renewable energy and sustainable development around the world.

Edward Norton

Edward Norton works with the United Nations as an advocate for protecting plant and animal species. He also leads the U.S. branch of the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, an organization dedicated to preserving the natural environment in East Africa. Beyond his acting career, Norton champions eco-friendly building practices and was involved in launching a program called BP Solar Neighbors, which brought solar energy to families in need in Los Angeles – for every celebrity who participated, a family received a solar power system. He often shares his insights on the financial benefits of conservation at events around the world.

Adrian Grenier

Adrian Grenier started the Lonely Whale Foundation to encourage people to care about and protect our oceans. The foundation’s ‘Stop Sucking’ campaign played a big part in the worldwide effort to get rid of plastic straws. Grenier also works with the UN Environment Programme, advocating for less single-use plastic. He produced the documentary ’52: The Search for the Loneliest Whale’, which shows how noise pollution harms ocean creatures. Through all his work, Grenier stresses that what we buy can make a real difference in getting companies to be more environmentally friendly.

Pierce Brosnan

Pierce Brosnan is a dedicated supporter of protecting whales and the ocean. He’s worked with groups like the International Fund for Animal Welfare to fight against harmful sonar used in the water. Brosnan also produced a documentary called ‘Poisoning Paradise’ that examines the damaging effects of pesticide testing in Hawaii. He and his wife, Keely Shaye Brosnan, have been recognized with many awards for their environmental work and filmmaking. Brosnan often uses his platform as an artist to help conservation organizations and protect natural lands.

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep helped start Mothers & Others in the late 1980s to push for healthier food. The group successfully worked to get dangerous pesticides, such as Alar, removed from apples sold in stores. Streep has also narrated documentaries about the environment, including ‘The Living Sea’ and ‘Arctic Tale.’ She continues to support the Natural Resources Defense Council and their work protecting people’s health, often focusing on how toxins and pollution affect children and families.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger created R20 Regions of Climate Action to support local and regional governments in launching projects that reduce carbon emissions. While Governor of California, he passed the Global Warming Solutions Act in 2006, establishing an important example for climate policy at the state level. He also organizes the Austrian World Summit, a yearly event where leaders collaborate on real-world climate solutions. Schwarzenegger consistently emphasizes framing climate change as a matter of cleaning up pollution and improving public health. He remains dedicated to supporting and expanding clean transportation and renewable energy sources.

Pharrell Williams

Pharrell Williams is the creative force behind Bionic Yarn, a company that transforms recycled ocean plastic into strong, long-lasting fabrics. He teamed up with G-Star Raw to design the ‘Raw for the Oceans’ clothing line, using these eco-friendly materials. Williams also led the creative direction for the 2015 Live Earth concerts, which were focused on promoting climate awareness. He consistently includes themes of sustainability in his work and businesses, showing how entertainment and fashion can be leaders in creating a more circular economy.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman is a committed vegan and passionate about how plant-based diets can help the environment. She produced and narrated the documentary ‘Eating Animals,’ inspired by Jonathan Safran Foer’s book, which highlights the environmental impact of factory farming. She’s also worked with luxury brands like Dior to promote vegan shoe options. Portman often discusses the link between animal welfare, personal health, and a healthy planet. She actively supports environmental groups like Global Green USA, which works to create sustainable cities.

Bindi Irwin

Bindi Irwin is carrying on her father Steve Irwin’s work through the Wildlife Warriors organization. She’s involved in many conservation efforts, like protecting the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Queensland from mining. Through the TV show ‘Crikey! It’s the Irwins,’ she teaches people around the world about why it’s important to protect different kinds of animals and plants. She also supports groups like the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, working to help injured animals and preserve natural environments for the future.

Rosario Dawson

Rosario Dawson is a co-founder of Studio 189, a company that combines fashion with efforts to improve lives and protect the environment in Africa. The brand makes clothes using local skills and sustainable materials, helping to support African communities. Dawson is also heavily involved with Voto Latino, where she connects environmental concerns with getting people involved in civic action and fighting for fairness. She’s been featured in several films and campaigns that show how waste impacts vulnerable communities. Through her work, she emphasizes the important connection between protecting the environment, human rights, and creating economic opportunities.

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts is a global advocate for the Clean Cooking Alliance, which works to provide clean cookstoves and reduce harmful indoor air pollution. This initiative also helps protect forests and lower carbon emissions in developing nations. Additionally, she’s supported EarthEcho International, an organization started by Jacques Cousteau’s grandchildren. Roberts narrated the ‘Mother Nature’ segment of the ‘Nature Is Speaking’ film series, and much of her environmental work centers on improving the health and empowering women through sustainable management of natural resources.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie started the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation in Cambodia to protect the country’s threatened natural areas and animals. The foundation focuses on a large protected zone, working to stop illegal logging and animal poaching. Jolie has also teamed up with the UN and other organizations to raise awareness about how damage to the environment can worsen the global refugee situation. More recently, she partnered with Guerlain and UNESCO on the ‘Women for Bees’ program, which supports both bee conservation and women starting their own businesses. Jolie sees her environmental work as a key part of her broader humanitarian efforts in areas affected by conflict.

David Attenborough

For decades, David Attenborough has been a leading voice in nature documentaries, creating iconic series like ‘Life on Earth’ and ‘Our Planet’. More recently, his work, particularly ‘A Life on Our Planet’, has powerfully highlighted the alarming loss of wildlife around the world. He’s used his platform to push for immediate action on climate change at events like COP26, and his films are widely recognized for changing how people think about issues like plastic pollution and the climate crisis. Attenborough continues to champion the idea of restoring nature – or ‘rewilding’ – to help bring ecosystems back into balance.

Jaden Smith

Jaden Smith helped start JUST Water, a company known for its eco-friendly water bottles made from plant-based materials. The company aims to lessen the environmental impact of plastic bottles and shipping. Smith also created the ‘501CTHREE’ organization, which provides clean water filters to places like Flint, Michigan. Through his music and fashion, he encourages discussions about limited resources and new technologies. He especially wants to inspire young people to find creative, business-based solutions to environmental problems.

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Maggie Gyllenhaal is a dedicated environmental activist with a long history of supporting Greenpeace and working to protect the Arctic. She’s used her voice to raise awareness about critical issues, like narrating the documentary ‘The Island President’ which highlights the challenges faced by the Maldives due to rising sea levels. Gyllenhaal also champions sustainable practices, advocating for organic farming and safer consumer products free of harmful chemicals. She actively supports programs like ‘Green Schools,’ which aims to create eco-friendly learning environments, and consistently focuses her efforts on ensuring a healthy planet for future generations.

Sting

After seeing the devastation of the Amazon rainforest in 1989, Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler, started the Rainforest Foundation Fund. The organization focuses on protecting the rights of the indigenous people who live in and protect the forest. They’ve helped these groups gain legal ownership of millions of acres of their traditional lands. Sting has also held many benefit concerts to raise money for conservation and to fight against companies exploiting the rainforest. His work highlights the idea that protecting the rights of people is crucial for saving the environment.

Daryl Hannah

Daryl Hannah is a long-time environmental advocate dedicated to living sustainably and actively protesting harmful practices. She helped start the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance to encourage the use of clean, locally-made biofuels. Hannah has been arrested several times for peacefully protesting oil pipelines and destructive mining operations. She lives an eco-conscious life in a self-sufficient home powered by solar energy and grows her own organic produce. Through her project, ‘dhlovelife’, she offers resources and guidance for others wanting to adopt more sustainable lifestyles.

We’d love to hear your opinion! Tell us in the comments which of these celebrity environmental projects you think makes the biggest difference.

2026-01-21 00:24