Oscar-winning actor and activist Leonardo DiCaprio along with billionaire Carlos Slim and Enrique Pena Nieto, Mexico’s president, have promised to protect marine ecosystems in the upper Gulf of California. The Mexican president and DiCaprio and Slim’s personal foundations, signed an agreement that aims to help buoy the vaquita porpoise population.

About two dozen vaquita porpoises are native to the upper gulf. However, now, the animals are facing extinction thanks to the use of illegal gillnets—an apparatus used to catch a certain kind of fish that’s popular in China.

“This action is a critical step towards ensuring that the Gulf of California continues to be both vibrant and productive, especially for species like the critically endangered vaquita,” DiCaprio said in a statement.

Does celebrity activism work?

DiCaprio’s bold move got us thinking: Does this type of celebrity activism make real change?

We asked a few environmental activists about their thoughts to get a better idea about why, if at all, celebrity activism matters.

Momentum

When a celebrity puts their name behind an environmental cause, the issue gets attention.

“For better or worse, when celebrities speak, people listen,” John Oppermann, executive director of Earth Day Initiative, says.

“In a perfect world, people would pay attention to all of the most pressing issues we’re facing and seek out ways to help. But in the absence of that perfect world, celebrity involvement in causes can help to move the needle toward positive change. They can shine light on issues and channel support, money, and enthusiasm into real and lasting impact.”

Momentum leads to awareness (if the celebrity knows their stuff)

When a person—any person—talks about something that they truly don’t understand, no one cares. But when someone passionately talks about their interests, and has facts to back those interests up, people care.

For example, remember when Al Gore was America’s environmental warrior? Gore put his intelligence and interest about the environment into the “An Inconvenient Truth” screenplay, and people listened. Some celebrities have this talent, too.

“DiCaprio does [it] well—so does Robert Redford. And Susan Sarandon is very articulate about prison causes,” Shel Horowitz, green/transformative business profitability expert, explains.

“[And] when these folks step up to the plate with research-based information, it can move mountains.”

And DiCaprio knows his stuff

DiCaprio has always had a soft spot for the planet’s oceans.

In March, the celebrity announced that he invested in LoveTheWild, a company that specializes in sustainable aquaculture (frozen seafood meals).

And in autumn 2016, DiCaprio and the National Geographic Channel released “Before the Flood”, an environmental documentary. The film discussed the melting rates of ice sheets in the Arctic.

So, keep at it, Leo. Because the Earth could use all the help it can get.

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Leonardo DiCaprio finally… FINALLY… won an Oscar on Sunday night. And while we’re incredibly stoked that the fabulous actor got to take home a little gold man for his day job, we’re even more excited that he gave a killer acceptance speech that touched on the climate change crisis. Yes, crisis.

DiCaprio has always been a proponent for the environment. According to the World Wildlife Organization, the actor created the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in 1998 “to support organizations and initiatives dedicated to securing a sustainable future for our planet.” DiCaprio also has formed fruitful relationships with some of the “great leaders and thinkers on the planet, staying continually engaged and active on the most pressing issues we face – climate change, access to clean water, protecting biodiversity, oceans conservation and disaster relief.”

DiCaprio is on the board of the WWF,  the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Global Green USA, and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

During the 2016 Oscar season, DiCaprio also has talked at length about how “The Revenant,” the film he won best actor for, is, at its heart, an environmental film, and most specifically, about man’s relationship with the natural world. He explained this theme in-depth while discussing the movie with The Frame’s John Horn.

“Doing a film about climate change, studying climatic change around the world, having to relocate to the southern tip of Argentina just to find snow was the greatest irony,” DiCaprio says. “Here we are, a bunch of artists saying, Let’s go into nature and see what it tells us. Well, nature was f***ing telling us that the world is changing unlike ever before. 2015 was the hottest year in recorded history and these are unprecedented weather conditions happening all over the world. And it hit us right smack in the face. We had to shut down production multiple times — extreme weather patterns in both directions, the locals telling us that they’d never seen this in the history of their provence. So that’s what, ultimately, I’m going to be left with: the year 2015 where all the tipping points happened and we immersed ourselves in the natural world to hear it for ourselves.”

Climate change is happening and it’s not going away anytime soon. Let’s hope Leo starts a trend that inspires more prominent people to speak up on behalf of the Earth to help give this dangerous reality the attention it deserves.

Related on EcoSalon

Eco Fashion at the Oscars: 15 Celebs Most Likely to Dress with a Conscience

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Image of Leonardo DiCaprio via Shutterstock

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Who will be lighting up the Red Carpet with cruelty-free and eco fashion at this year’s Oscars?

Seems like there are always newcomers to living compassionately, and we hope there are many surprises this year, but we can guess that these celebs will be glamming it up in vegan and sustainable fashion at Sunday’s Academy Awards.

1. Joaquin Phoenix: The “Her” star is a longtime vegan and animal rights supporter. He’ll certainly be eating with a conscience and we hope he’ll be dressing to match.

2. Charlize Theron: Always gorgeous and stylish, this Oscar-winning presenter is behind an eco-friendly line of TOMS shoes and denim, benefitting the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project.

3/4.Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie: Two of this year’s presenters, Brad and Angelina aren’t vegetarian or vegan, but they do have an organic vineyard in France. And being two of the biggest Hollywood humanitarians out there, who knows, perhaps they’ll be dining and dressing in accord with their ethics, too.

5. Kate Hudson: Kate always looks gorgeous and it may be in part due to her hair. That’s right, this year’s presenter also co-created an eco and cruelty-free hair care line with hairdresser David Babaii that benefited WildAid.

6. Jared Leto: Best Supporting Actor nominee in “Dallas Buyers Club”, Jared is a longtime vegan and animal rights supporter. He’s always dressing with style, and we’re looking forward to what we wears to the Oscars.

7. Kerry Washington: Presenting this year, Kerry is always eco-conscious, and could take some cues from the gorgeous eco apartment makeover she received courtesy of Oprah Magazine a few years ago. We’ll be on the lookout!

8. Leonardo DiCaprio: The Best Actor Nominee is not only a master of the screen, he’s lent his name to some pretty rad eco initiatives including a coffee. He is outspoken about global warming having  co-wrote, co-produced and narrated the film “11th Hour“, which addressed the issues at hand and how we can fix the problems. We sure hope he’s dressing with that in mind.

9. Naomi Watts: Presenting this year, vegetarian and eco-minded mom, Naomi Watts always looks beautiful, and we know based on her stunning gown last year that she won’t cut any corners (except for the one’s in her dress.)

10. Jason Sudeikis: Rumor has it that since engaging himself to the gorgeous vegan Olivia Wilde, Jason has adopted a healthier lifestyle. He sure looks great these days. So what will this presenter wear? We’re hoping Olivia picks it out.

11. Cate Blanchett: Best Actress Nominee for her stunning role in Woody Allen’s “Blue Jasmine”, Cate is a winner whether she takes home the Oscar or not. A vegetarian and humanitarian, she is also a big proponent of the Greening the Wharf initiative that installed more than 1,900 solar panels at the Sydney Theatre Company.

12. Jim Carrey: This hilarious presenter (and recent author!) boasted about his healthy diet last year—being almost close to vegan besides eating eggs. We’re assuming they’re from a local farmers market here in LA. And, as a founding member of the Global Alliance for Transformational Entertainment, he sure has an eye for living consciously. Let’s hope it translates into his attire as well.

13. Matthew McConaughey: Best Actor Nominee and favorite to win the award credits his son for making him “more eco.” If his commitment to living with a smaller footprint is at all like his recent commitment to better acting, we simply cannot wait to see what he wears on Sunday. (Suggestion: something tight, please.)

14. Emma Watson: “Harry Potter” star Emma Watson is proving there’s life beyond the Potter years. She’s also proving that there’s a lot more to life than making movies. A vegetarian, Watson is also behind Pure Threads, a fashion line that features environmentally friendly, organic dresses.  We sure hope she’s wearing one on Sunday!

15. Anne Hathaway: Presenter Anne Hathaway is a committed vegetarian and fashionista, so we know she’s got something gorgeous and kind up her sleeves…if she’s wearing any.

Check back in post-Oscars for a review of the best of the best in eco and cruelty-free fashion.

Find Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

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All images Wikimedia Commons

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Meet celebrities recently in the news who use their giant paychecks for good.

It’s Kim Kardashian’s world, we’re just living in it. Or so it would seem by the intense media onslaught covering the reality starlet’s $10 million wedding and subsequent divorce a mere 72 day later. A wedding her family is rumored to have been gifted despite collecting a $65 million fortune from their reality shows. But stay with me, I’m not here to wring my hands over Hollywood’s abundant cash flow but rather to call out the do-gooders of Tinsel Town.

There are many celebrities who use their fame and fortune for causes outside of having a hair stylist on call 24 hours a day. In fact, here are seven who have made recent headlines doing positive things for both population and planet.

Robert Pattinson builds a school for girls in Cambodia
Perhaps we all know Robert Pattinson best from his role as Reese Witherspoon’s grown-up son in 2004’s “Vanity Fair.” He also stole hearts as the doomed yet dashing Cedric Diggory in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” It’s possible he may have been in a vampire movie or two since then, I’m not sure.

Nonetheless, a family in Chicago recently paid $80,000 to meet with this little-known character actor. (Just kidding, I know he’s an attractive vampire.) And what did the dreamboat of a million sparkling dreams do with the money? Pattinson donated 100% of the proceeds to the Go Campaign, which is being used to build a home for PAGE (Program Advancing Girls Education) to educate teen girls in Cambodia. Pattinson is also donating a November private screening of “Breaking Dawn” in Los Angeles, where all proceeds will go to the Go Campaign.

Ashley Judd fights for family planning
This Kentucky-raised actress is well known for her good deeds. Among her acts of advocacy, Judd is a Global Ambassador for Population Services International (PSI), a leading global health organization dedicated to children’s health around the globe. Recently, on World Population Day, she sent out a call to arms in the fight for population control.

“As a woman, I believe it is essential to welcome men into the conversation,” she wrote for PSI. “According to World Health Organization statistics, approximately 1,000 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.”

Russell Simmons advocates for marriage equality
The co-founder of Def Jam Records thinks that marriage is a human right for all people and made sure the state of New York knew it. Last June, same-sex couples were granted the right to marry in the Granite State in part because of the substantial support the movement received from the public. Simmons, a prominent New Yorker, made a video in support of marriage equality for the Human Rights Campaign. It played in taxi cabs all over New York City before the historic vote. In April, Simmons also received an Excellence in Media Award from GLAAD  (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation).

Ryan Seacrest uses his voice to help others
Yes, Ryan Seacrest of American Idol fame is actually an executive producer of the reality machine that is “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.” At least the reality mogul is using some of his money for a good cause. His non-profit, The Ryan Seacrest Foundation, is building broadcast media booths called The Voice in pediatric hospitals across the nation. Sick children are able to host radio shows and broadcast on closed circuit television, as well as blog from the centers.

The first Voice was launched at Children’s Hospital of Atlanta, and Seacrest recently opened a second booth at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “Moms will come up to me and say ‘My kid hasn’t gotten out of bed for weeks and for this today, they have.’ That means the world to me,” Seacrest recently told ABC 6 of Philadelphia. His goal is to bring more Voice booths to other hospitals across the nation.

Barry Manilow helps Joplin sing
Barry Manilow is known for writing the ballads and jazz songs of our childhood recitals. But did you know the legendary crooner recently donated $300,000 worth of instruments to tornado-ravaged schools in Joplin, Missouri? On May 22, 2011, a tornado destroyed much of Joplin, taking much of the local high school with it.

As Manilow told Rueters, “I know first-hand how invaluable music can be to get you through life’s tough times. It is an honor and a privilege to help these kids after such a disaster.” He then explained to some confused students that he was the “Justin Bieber of the 1970s.” Then he schooled them that music and passion are always the fashion.

Shakira shakes up a reason to learn
Columbian-born singer Shakira is best known for her Grammy-award winning music, but she’s also an inspired philanthropist. Growing up in Columbia, the singer witnessed the suffering of area street children. This moved the artist to create The Pies Descalzos Foundation, or the Barefoot Foundation. This organization works to reveal a sustainable model of education to help children in vulnerable communities. Shakira has helped found six schools since 2003 and recently opened a U.S. branch of her foundation. To top off her good deeds, she is a global ambassador for UNICEF.

Leonardo DiCaprio tweets for tigers
DiCaprio is well-known for his green advocacy. A committed environmentalist and activist, he wrote, narrated, and co-produced “The 11th Hour,” a film highlighting the eco-impact humans are having on the planet. Recently, DiCaprio spoke out (rather, tweeted) about the tragic Ohio Tiger killings, when 18 Bengal tigers were killed by sheriffs after their suicidal owner let them free. A devoted animal rights activist, DiCaprio has already lent his support to the Save the Tigers Now campaign.

Image: dpurdy/Flickr 

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ColumnWhere celebrity becomes conscious.

I dated in Hollywood for nearly 10 years. This means two things. First, I cannot watch an episode of Entourage without having queasy-stomach flashbacks. Second, I can give a read on a Hollywood man like a tarot card reader off Sunset and Fountain. And just like you’d imagine, the Hollywood dating scene can be filled with more toxic waste than a Superfund site. So what’s an eco-sizzler or stud to do in such a polluted landscape?

Fear not, because we have your guide to a green single life in Hollywood. There are some lovely lads and lasses out there; you just have to look a little harder in the landscape of Tinsel Town. Behind every other PR-backed eco-hero in a tailored suit, it’s possible there’s a beloved organic garden hidden somewhere on his property. But how to find him or her? Here are the role models we recommend. Sure, not all of them are available, but for every Leonardo DiCaprio, there’s a hundred who follow. We bet.

(Writer’s note: Article is meant to be totally, completely, utterly taken seriously, otherwise we will all clearly end up damsels of green doom. That is all.)

The Eco Philanthropist: Leonardo DiCaprio

Successful, handsome, and green, we are all just moths to Leo’s environmentally-friendly flame. I mean. The man has an eco foundation. The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation “supports efforts to secure a sustainable future for our planets and all its inhabitants.” DiCaprio’s campaign du jour is to save the tigers of our world, of which only an estimated 3,200 are left in the wild. When a man makes it his sincere business to save the planet, what’s sexier than that?

The Earth Mother: Natalie Portman

There’s no question who does the eco-dancing with Ms. Portman. The committed vegetarian, who shed her vegan diet during her recent pregnancy, has also headlined a vegan shoe line. And what’s that winking on her finger? Why, it’s an eco-friendly engagement ring, made from recycle platinum and antique diamonds.

The Sensitive Soul: Adrian Grenier

Sensitive green men, perhaps the most omnipresent amongst our eco-brethren, find their king in Adrian Grenier. He makes nurturing the earth a priority by supporting green causes such as charity:water, which brings safe drinking water to people in developing nations. Grenier also owns the SHFT Gallery in downtown Los Angeles, which specialized in eco-friendly products and art.

The Family Man: Brad Pitt

The patriarch of the Jolie-Pitt brood makes philanthropy a priority in his life. After touring the devastation of the Lower Ninth Ward after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, he started the Make It Right Foundation to build as many as 150 eco-friendly homes in the region. Recently, he joined forces with the Hyatt Regency New Orleans to raise money for his foundation.

The PETA Princess: Alicia Silverstone

This vegan darling of the animal rights movement once stripped down for PETA to make her point about cruelty to animals. (The organization voted her “Sexiest Female Vegetarian” in 2004.) She recently collaborated with cosmetics company EcoTools to create an eco-friendly brush and makeup bag. And she promotes a planet-friendly, body-friendly, animal-friendly vegan lifestyle called The Kind Life.

The Green Foodie: Jamie Oliver

Oliver is leading a food revolution, determined to stem the tide against our penchant for fast food. The British chef advocates balanced, healthy eating from food that is locally grown. Oliver recently moved to Los Angeles to film ABC’s Food Revolution, which looks to attack obesity in America and to “change the way America feeds itself at home, in schools and on Main Street.”

The Vouching Vegan: Ellen DeGeneres

The reigning queen of daytime television talk shows took the vegan plunge in 2008 with wife Portia de Rossi. Now, Ms. DeGeneres should be known as a patron saint for a cruelty-free lifestyle. She often promotes vegan awareness on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and details her commitment on her web site.

The Sustainable Stud: Jake Gyllenhaal

We’ve made no secret of our great love for the Gyllenhaal. To quote ourselves, “Recently, [Jake] teamed up with Chez Panisse creator and chef Alice Waters to help promote the Edible Schoolyard Program.” Further, he is friend to the Inuits and often offsets his carbon footprint by planting trees.
Who did we miss? Tell us about the green heroes and heroines in your own life.

This is the latest installment in Katherine Butler’s column, Shade Grown Hollywood, where celebrity becomes conscious. “Shade grown” refers literally to shade grown coffee, a farming method that “incorporates principles of natural ecology to promote natural ecological relationships.” Shade Grown is our sustainable twist on Hollywood.

Image: 21560098@N06/Flickr

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