Celeb Power Behind a Green Consciousness Shift

Celebrities are seen to set an example for the rest of us, and though some of the things that some may do are less than *ahem* favorable, there are a number of celebrities who are examples to us all on how to be more environmentally responsible and more aware. Here are my top 5 celebrities for who we can all learn a thing or two about being “green”:

Leonard Dicaprio

More than a decade ago (in 1998, to be exact) Leonardo Dicaprio started his very own foundation, appropriately named the Leonardo Dicaprio Foundation, which promoted awareness of the several environmental issues that we are faced with today. Being true to his word, Leo makes a point of driving a hybrid vehicle and has both wrote and produced a feature-length documentary about global warming called the “11th Hour” (released in 2007).

Richard Branson

Though Richard Branson is best known as being the spokes person and chairman for the Virgin Group, this former global-warming skeptic has drastically changed his tune. As of 2006, Branson has pledged to spend every penny of his airline and railway profits on bio-fuel research and on projects that strive to reduce carbon emissions.

Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz made global warming a reality to millions of teens across the globe with her MTV series, “Trippin’”. This TV program followed Diaz and a group of her friends to foreign countries and allowed us to witness firsthand the efforts of these men and women trying to safeguard the environment.

Daryl Hannah

Daryl Hannah believes in “going green” so much that she was even arrested for her cause! In June 2006, Hannah was arrested after a 23-day long tree “sit-in” during a bid that was focused on preserving an urban community garden in LA. In 2005, she traveled across the United States in a bio-fuel car, and her home is entirely “green” friendly too! Now that’s dedication.

Pierce Brosnan

Not only is he the hero “James Bond” in the movies, he’s a hero in real life! Brosnan has actively taken a stand on wetland and marine mammal protection. He has headlined the Natural Resources Defense Council campaign against the effects of Navy sonar on whales and other marine wildlife, and was given the 1997 Green Cross International Environmental Leadership award.

photo by Leo Nardini