MSNBC.com
DiCaprio, Daryl Hannah, others take environmental issues to the next level
By Michael Ventre, MSNBC contributor
April. 10, 2008
Mark Gold, president of Heal the Bay, has been with the nonprofit environmental group in Southern California for almost 20 years. He has seen many celebrities come and go, and then come back again to stay. He has seen some show up once and disappear.
Over the years, he has changed his opinion of that last group.
“When I was younger in my career, it did bug me a lot,” he admitted. “I said, ‘Why can’t they be there for us all the time?’ Over the years, I’ve changed that opinion completely. Now I’m very grateful for any help we can get in that arena.”
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But in a less polarizing climate, in which the process of getting the word out on issues relevant to everyone is crucial, a celebrity name can have as profound an effect on the drafting of a bill in the state legislature or on fundraising as it can on the marquee of a multiplex.
And in the green world, as in life, some are more committed than others.
“We really look for people who have demonstrated a commitment personally to the issue,” said Ruben Aronin, director of communications for Global Green USA, a national environmental organization. “We want people who care about the environmental crisis and want to use their celebrity visibility to shine a light on the issues. We’ve had a great track record.”
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Of course, not every celebrity who lends his or her name to the environmental movement has the same level of involvement. “The challenge to be honest is found where their schedules are beyond their control,” Aronin said. “They’re straight with us in terms of saying, ‘I’ll be there for you if I can.’”
Two celebrities in particular represent the old guard and the young turks of Hollywood’s gang green. Ed Begley Jr., 58, is the granddaddy of all celebrities involved in environmental causes. Amy Smart, 32, has been participating since she was a high-school student volunteer for Heal the Bay, helping to clean the beaches in Southern California.
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Naturally, there is a recruitment function to all celebrity involvement. Smart said that many are eager and willing, but for those who are not, she takes it in stride.
“I have talked to some young celebrity environmentalists,” she said via e-mail, “and I’ve actually been so surprised to hear of all the ways they are participating in walking their talk. Solar panels on their houses, composting, hybrids, canvas bags at the store, eco-friendly cleaning products, compact florescent lightbulbs and lots of other ways.
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