Celebrities are playing an important role in combating climate change
Many Celebrities are putting pressure on governments to do more to address the climate crisis including demanding more legislative action to restrict the use of fossil fuels and instead promote the adoption of renewable forms of energy. In North America for example, Celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Jane Fonda, Matt Daman, Robert Redford and many more, are advocates of climate and environmental issues and have long been involved in practical climate related activities.
As Theroundup.org states, “DiCaprio is a prominent star in climate activism. In 2006, he created the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, which focuses on promoting environmental causes and supports more than 35 conservation projects worldwide,” and that in recognition of his work, “in 2014, he was named a United Nations ‘messenger of peace’ representative for climate change.” The Actor Jane Fonder has for many years been engaged in climate activities. Matt Damon’s work in climate change is also long and impactful, “Damon has even partnered with Water.org to help bring clean water to developing countries. One of Damon’s most notable projects is the ‘Live Earth’ charity concerts that take place every year,” according to theroundup.org. Robert Redford, another established figure in the movie industry has been playing a vital role in the climate space, as Theroundup.org says, “he has founded the Natural Resources Defense Council, an organization that focuses on environmental issues. In addition, he has lent his voice to several documentaries about climate change, including ‘The 11th hour’ and ‘An Inconvenient Truth.’ “
In making a contribution of climate awareness issues, some Asian celebrities served as ambassadors of the Earth Day 2025 activities, in their respective countries. Among the many served was Alex Rendell of Thailand. Earthday.org claims that “Mr Rendell co-founded the Environmental Education Centre Thailand (EEC) in 2015, whose mission is to educate and influence kids from 4 years and older to recognize their involvement in the conversation of natural resources around the world”. Also served was Nadine Lustre a film and television personality in the Philippines and is associated with “For the Future, an organization focused on building environmental stewardship among youth, working towards ecological sustainability, reforesting denuded areas, and increasing the green canopy.” The ‘Green Canopy’ refers to an official reforestation program in areas of the Philippines.
Sugizo a popular musician in Japan also served as an ambassador. He is characterized by Earthday.org “as a strong environmental activist” and that he “helps spread awareness about the need to protect and invest in our planet by reminding everyone if Earth continues to suffer from the impact of climate change, humans will not survive.” Among the many others, Ricky Kej, a well known Indian Grammy recipient musician was also an ambassador. As Earthday.org put it, “Ricky has dedicated his life and music to creating awareness on the environment and positive social impact. He has performed at prestigious venues in over 30 countries, including at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and Geneva.”
As noted by the Indipendent.co.uk, celebrities are largely responsible for the passage of the “deforestation-free products law” passed by the European Union Parliament and came into effect in 2023.. The law requires that goods sold in the European Union are not produced by way of illegal land deforestation, whether they are produced locally or imported. According to the Indipendent.co.uk ‘the legislation will require companies to pinpoint where their products originate and ensure that they are not linked to the destruction of nature if they want to sell them in the EU. It will apply to products that are at high risk of deforestation, including cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soy, and wood.”
In pushing for the deforestation-free law dozens of celebrities signed an ‘open letter‘ to the European Parliament, part of it says ” nothing short of a bold and ambitious new EU law will help us in the race to avoid irreversible climate change and safeguard irreplaceable biodiversity.” It also argues that “this game-changing law can break the link between food production and deforestation, and trigger a global transition to ways of farming and forestry that don’t harm people and nature.” It concluded by saying “European Union leaders and decision-makers-we are counting on you.” Among the signatories to the letter were the Americans Jane Fonder and Barbara Streisand, the Belgian actor Matteo Simoni, British actress Dame Emma Thompson and the British rock group, Coldplay.
Celebrities are extremely influential in society, many citizens follow their work and are persuaded by the social and political positions they espouse. Their millions of followers on social media are reflections of their influence and expectations are that this influence will further generate climate change awareness and action.
————————————————————————————-