Stars who have gone green for the environment

April 21, 2016

<h3>BRAD PITT</h3>
After Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005, Brad Pitt was compelled to spearhead the Make It Right foundation as part of Global Green USA’s Holy Cross Project, which builds sustainable and green homes in the devastated districts of the city. The new homes, which were built in New Orelans' poorest ward, were not only beautifully designed but also featured the latest in energy-efficient technology. The father of six also partnered with apparel company American Eagle Outfitters for Earth Day 2015 to encourage customers to donate their used denim, which is used as insulation for solar-powered homes.
<p>Photo © Mark Mainz/Getty Images</p>

CATE BLANCHETT

Oscar winner Cate was an active member of the Who on Earth Cares campaign, in which she encouraged her fellow Australians to pursue an environmentally friendly lifestyle. Here, the actress is photographed posing with the CEO of Suntech Power, Dr. Zhengrong Shi, atop of the Sydney Theatre Company to celebrate the ‘switch-on’ of the building’s solar panels.

Cate is doing everything she can in order to make sure her four children grow up in an eco-friendly environment.

“I’m extremely concerned about climate change as a mother,” she's said, “because I want to ensure for my children a very safe and sustainable future.”

The Jungle Book actress has spent over $1.5 million making her house as “green” as possible, she told Marie Clare. She has done everything from installing solar panels and energy-efficient lights to using a 20,000 litre water tank and grey water recycling.

Photo: © Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

<h3>DREW BARRYMORE</h3>
Noted animal lover and flower child Drew Barrymore starred in the 2012 film <em>Big Miracle</em>, which tells the true story of gutsy Greenpeace activist Cindy Lowry, who coordinated the rescue of three whales trapped under the ice in the North Pole. While filming, Drew and Cindy became close.
<p>“I met with the head of Greenpeace and spent some time with him,” said the 41-year-old actress. “And I went and studied whales up in Seattle with Paul Watson who did Whale Wars. And then I spent a lot of time with Cindy Lowry, who is the woman I play in the film and we really connected.”</p>
Drew also helps to protect our furry friends with Flower, her cosmetic line, which never tests on animals.

<h3>EDWARD NORTON</h3>
Edward learned the value of going green from his father, who has been a leader in the environmental movement for more than 30 years. The actor has been involved with countless eco-friendly organizations, including his post as president of the U.S. Board of the Masaai Wilderness Conservation Trust, which aims to encourage conservation efforts in East Africa while directly benefiting its local people.
<p>Photo: © Alberto Pizzolai/AFP/GettyImages</p>

<h3>EMMANUELLE CHRIQUI</h3>
Canadian Actress Emmanuelle, too, learned about the benefits of living a natural lifestyle from her parents. “It started in how I grew up,” the Montreal-native explained in an interview with <em>Sierra</em> Magazine. “My mom had a beautiful garden and always made everything from scratch. We didn’t have packaged foods.” After watching <em>An Inconvenient Truth</em>, the star says she was motivated to take action. She has since been a board member on the Environmental Media Association, which promotes eco-efforts in the entertainment industry, and has also taken to planting gardens in low-income neighbourhoods as part of her efforts.
<p>Photo: © Amanda Edwards/WireImage

<h3>IAN SOMERHALDER</h3>
A heartthrob with a heart of gold, Ian Somerhalder has a hand in more than a half-dozen earth-friendly projects, including Go Green, an alternative energy company that supplies green mobile generators to Hollywood. In 2010, Ian founded the Ian Somerhalder foundation, with the mission to “empower, educate and collaborate with people and projects that positively impact the planet and its creatures.”
<p>Last year the actor joined fellow stars like Danny DeVito and Matt Damon at Champion for Earth, a week-long tournament played on Angry Birds Friends in partnership with Earth Day Network. This campaign challenged Angry Birds players to “champion the environment and fight climate change.”</p>
Photo: © Instagram

LEONARDO DICAPRIO

Prius-driving Leonardo co-wrote, co-produced and narrated the 2007 documentary The 11th Hour, which speaks frankly about the state of climate change. “Global warming is not only the number one environmental challenge we face today, but one of the most important issues facing all of humanity,” narrated Leo in the film. “We all have to do our part to raise awareness about global warming and the problems we as a people face in promoting a sustainable environmental future for our planet.”

And after finally winning that much-anticipated Oscar for his role in The Revenant, Leo used the big stage to reiterate his concerns. “Climate change is real, it is happening right now. It is the most urgent threat facing our entire species, and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating.”

<h3>NATALIE PORTMAN</h3>
Harvard graduate Natalie Portman is seriously smart about green living. The vegan actress travelled to Rwanda to film the documentary <em>Saving a Species: Gorillas on the Brink</em>, which highlighted the plight of endangered gorillas by focusing on the loss of their natural habitat. In 2007, she launched her own vegan shoe line — and she even boasts an eco-friendly, $35,000, recycled, platinum-and-conflict-free-diamond engagement ring!
<p>Photo: © Stefanie Keenan/WireImage</p>

<h3>STING</h3>
In 1997, Sting purchased a 16th century villa in Figline Valdarno, a municipality of Florence, and an adjacent farm. He has been producing wine there since 2007. The rocker's estate, which is adorned with olive groves and woodland, also produces organic olive oil, honey, salamis and fruit, which are used to make a range of traditional jams and marmalades. Sting says, "the reason why I purchased this property and farm the land is because I wanted to nourish my family with genuine quality products and live in a healthy environment. By organically farming my land I am trying to give myself and those who are close to me a healthier life in a natural surrounding." <p>Photo: © NPA/KEYSTONE Canada</p>

<h3>WOODY HARRELSON</h3>
He may not strike you as a tree-hugger, but actor Woody Harrelson is seriously passionate about conserving our forests. The raw vegan enthusiast (he doesn't eat dairy, flour, sugar or meat) founded his tree-free paper business Prairie Paper Ventures in 2012, which makes paper from crop waste and has already saved upwards of 35,000 trees. When he’s not busy filming, he lives with his family on an organic farm in Maui, Hawaii.
<p>Photo: © Mark Von Holden/WireImage</p>

<h3>MINDY KALING</h3>
Funny girl Mindy showed us her green thumb in 2013 when she and New Girl’s Hannah Simone attended the Verte Grades of Green’s annual fundraising event. This event works towards an environmentally friendly earth by introducing programs that help with trash reduction, environmental education, and recycling initiatives.
<p>Photo: © Getty Images</p>

<h3>TOM HANKS</h3>
This actor and filmmaker has supported and campaigned for alternative fuels and energy for many years and he has a pretty sweet collection of electric cars to show for it. The 59-year-old has no problem boasting about his savings on fuel either. “I can drive all weekend, hauling dogs and helping my friends move, and the only reason I’ll need to stop at a gas station is for beef jerky and lottery tickets” he once said.
<p>Photo: © Getty Images</p>