The power of influencing environmental responsibility
Photo by @gretathunberg
What is the power of celebrity and how can it be used for good?
These are two big questions that our generation of Millennials have been confronted with in a world that seeks validation from the internet and pop culture. While social media popularity and the value of celebrity image can be used to promote things from retail products, businesses, and even snack foods, influencers can also be used for fighting climate change and spreading the word on sustainability. The following people have taken it upon themselves to utilize their star power for a greater good. These celebrities are actors of change and models of a sustainable mindset for current and future generations.
Here is some of the most well-known influencers that are looking to inspire environmental responsibility:
Greta Thunberg is a Swedish climate change activist. Thunberg’s popularity on social media and her global outreach have rendered her a force to be reckoned with and a symbol of encouragement amongst the youth. Her fearlessness to tell us the hard truth about the world’s dire situation is echoed in her books “Our House Is On Fire”, “Scenes From The Heart”, and “No One Is Too Small To Make A Difference”. In her sobering speech at the UN Climate Change Conference, she raised a mirror up to the adults surrounding her and made it very clear that change is imminent with or without them. She has garnered attention with her assertiveness and is gradually gaining a louder voice as her message is disseminated and she grows older. ‘‘You say you love your children above all else and yet you are stealing their future in front of their very eyes’’. Thunberg’s wide reach not only makes her famous, it makes her inspirational and seminal to the future of the movement as she bridges the gap between opposing sides of the battle to save the earth- rich and poor; old and young; politicians and the people.
Leonardo DiCaprio is an American actor, film producer and environmental activist. His Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation established in ‘98 has raised millions of dollars and has successfully funded many projects seeking to reach a balance between humankind’s prosperity and a thriving natural world. In 2017, his induction as the UN Messenger of Peace made his climate change activism known and recognized on a global level. This symbolic endorsement by an international organization backed by experts in the field means that he has an influence on the general public. As such, his work and voice are seminal to raising awareness of what is happening worldwide with regards to climate change. Case in point, his most recent documentary: “Before The Flood”. It chronicles his journey throughout the five continents and Antarctica to find answers to the most pressing environmental challenges the world is facing. It is set to air on National Geographic this October 31st.
Adrian Grenier is an American Actor and environmental activist. Grenier swam 2 miles across The Strait of Messina in 2016 to raise awareness about ocean pollution and went on to launch the Lonely Whale Foundation in 2015. He is a staunch supporter of green efforts such as “Oceana”, an organization working to preserve the world’s oceans, and uses his influential image to attract people towards noble causes. The “Entourage” actor has been appointed was appointed UN “Goodwill Ambassador” in 2017 and he has been a proponent of educating people to adopt sustainable lifestyles. He has especially espoused efforts to protect the seas and stop the use of single-use plastics. He is therefore a particularly outstanding face as he is focusing on one especially vulnerable area: the big blue.
Jon Kortajarena is a Spanish supermodel known for his piercing eyebrows and roles in films such as ‘A Single Man’. He is also an environmental activist with a strong social media following. Earlier this year, he participated in a beach cleanup with Greenpeace. Kortajarena’s exposure on platforms such as Instagram and through movies make his call to attention of these issues a lot less formal, less glaring and somewhat alluring. It also allows for him to address serious issues without coming across as preachy, something that can usually cause people to disregard the main issue being addressed.
Gisele Bundchen is a Brazilian actress, environmental activist, and former supermodel who has used her global fame to campaign for the environment. In 2003, her experience with a tribe living near the Xingu river encouraged her to advocate for a cleaner environment. In 2008 she launched ‘’Agua Limpa’’ (Clean Water) to help purify the heavily polluted water in the region. As a UN Goodwill Ambassador, she has been attacked by politicians in her country for showing the reality of how the Amazon forest and its’ peoples are being decimated. Nevertheless, she relentlessly advocates to save the natural environment.
This is a list of celebrity activists, but that doesn’t mean that you need to be famous to effect change, let alone be an “activist”. There are heroes and sheroes in all walks of life who are working to save the world in small ways that have a cumulative effect. The one thing these celebrities all have in common is that they are all working to spread awareness and actively fighting the world’s destruction through their influential role in society. Look at them as role models for change and be inspired by the way they use their platforms to disseminate information and gain traction for their environmental project that can help save the world.
We shouldn’t just rely on them, the change starts with ourselves and we can all work to convince those around us to also incorporate sustainable choices into our lifestyles and take action in the face of climate change. This way, we can become the change that we want to see.
Are you an influencer that is passionate about the marine environment and is interested in being an ambassador for Sea Going Green? DM us on social media @SeaGoingGreen