Sir David Attenborough turns 98: The greenest celebrities

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In honor of Sir David Attenborough's 98th birthday on May 8, 2024, join us as we check out some of the greenest celebs out there… starting with the broadcaster and natural historian.

David, who formerly served as the senior manager at the BBC, has long been outspoken about his dedication to the environment. Among the many causes he advocates for are the promotion of renewable energy, reduction of meat consumption and restoration of planetary biodiversity. In addition to serving as the vice president of the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, David is also vice president of Fauna and Flora International, president of the Butterfly Conservation and president of the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust. In 2020, he released what he considers his "witness statement" — the documentary "David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet," which focuses on the repercussions we could face as humans if we don't change the way we treat our planet. In 2022, he picked up the Champion of the Earth award from the United Nations Environment Programme.

Keep reading for more of the greenest celebrities…

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Mark Ruffalo's Instagram bio reads: "A husband, father, actor, director, and a climate justice and renewable energy advocate with an eye out for love and hope." In 2008, Mark became the first celebrity publicly active in the anti-fracking movement. In the December 2010 issue of GQ, he discussed hosting educational screenings of the HBO documentary "Gasland" in Pennsylvania. That same year, he founded Water Defense, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for safe water practices in New York City. In 2011, Mark and two others founded The Solutions Project, an organization advocating for the transition to 100% renewable energy use in America. In 2016, he narrated and produced "Dear President Obama: The Clean Energy Revolution is Now," a documentary that looks at Barack Obama's legacy concerning oil and natural gas drilling. The same year, he supported the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in its opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline project.

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Jessica Alba advocates for the environment through her wildly successful business, The Honest Company, which boasts biodegradable ingredients and claims to only use non-toxic chemicals in its products. In 2015, Jessica went to Capitol Hill to lobby lawmakers for stronger chemical protections. She is presently on the American Sustainable Business Council. She's said she took an interest in chemical reform after her children were born.

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Brad Pitt is very involved in global efforts to save the environment. In 2004, he joined the One Campaign as a spokesman advocate. In 2006, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, Brad established the Make It Right Foundation and embarked on building energy-efficient housing for people in need. In the same year, he narrated "Design E2," a PBS television series focused on worldwide efforts to build environmentally friendly structures through sustainable architecture and design. 2006 also marked the year in which he co-founded the Jolie-Pitt Foundation with future ex-wife Angelina Jolie to aid in humanitarian efforts worldwide. In 2009, Brad met with President Barack Obama to discuss his concept of green housing as a national model. In a bleak 2017 "weatherman" comedy sketch on "The Jim Jefferies Show," Brad warned viewers that "there is no future" — his reaction to President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw America from the Paris Climate Agreement.

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Leonardo DiCaprio's eponymous foundation is "dedicated to protecting Earth's last wild places and implementing solutions that create a harmonious relationship between humanity and the natural world." Leo also serves on the board of directors of the World Wildlife Fund, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Global Green USA and the International Fund for Animal Welfare. In 2017, Leo was outspoken about his disapproval of President Donald Trump's inaction toward climate change, and as a result, the actor attended the People's Climate March. A year later in 2018, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation donated $100 million to fight climate change. 2019 marked the year in which Earth Alliance, his environmental organization, pledged $5 million to aid in the protection of the Amazon following devastating fires there earlier that year.

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Gwyneth Paltrow has been channeling her resources into building a brand that espouses environmentally friendly fashion. In 2014, her company, Goop, created an eco-fashion capsule collection with Amour Vert, and in 2016, it launched Goop by Juice Beauty, a non-toxic and organic beauty line. At the 2015 Environmental Media Association Awards, the actress-entrepreneur was honored for her sustainable lifestyle choices.

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In 2011, Rosario Dawson started Studio 189, a brand with eco-friendly practices that uses fashion to implement social change. The company "provides a platform to help promote and curate African and African-inspired content and brands." In 2012, she partnered with SodaStream International to launch the first annual Unbottle the World Day, which raised awareness about the impact of cans and plastic bottles on the environment. In 2018, Rosario also narrated and executive produced the documentary "The Need to Grow," which explores the significance of having farmable soil.

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In 2003, Edward Norton teamed up with BP to develop the Solar Neighbors Program to supply solar panels to low-income families in Los Angeles. In 2005, he lent his voice to the National Geographic documentary "Strange Days on Planet Earth." He's also served on the board of the National Conservation Lands Foundation and has supported the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust and Ecotrust's efforts to save Oregon's Sand Lake through his charity fundraising website on CrowdRise.com. At a festival in Poland in July 2017, Edward spoke out in favor of individuals having the power to uphold environmental commitments in opposition to President Donald Trump's decision to formally pull America out of the Paris Climate Accord a month earlier. Additionally, Edward is a UN Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity.

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Daryl Hannah has landed in cuffs several times because of her proclivity for environmental activism. She was arrested three times for protesting the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline: at the White House in 2011, in Texas in 2012 and in Washington in 2013. The "Splash" actress was also arrested in 2009 for protesting mountaintop coal mining in West Virginia, and back in 2006, she was arrested after spending 23 days in a walnut tree in a bid to save Los Angeles' South Central Urban Garden from demolition. In 2014, Daryl and her future husband, rocker Neil Young, led a march by the "Cowboy and Indian Alliance" group urging the Obama administration to reject the Keystone Pipeline. You can keep up with Daryl's dedication to our planet via her Twitter feed, where she regularly posts about environmental causes she cares about — from protecting sharks to chemical safety.

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Ian Somerhalder's eponymous foundation "aims to empower, educate and collaborate with people and projects to positively impact the planet and its creatures." The IS Foundation works to bring awareness to issues such as global conservation, green energy development, global deforestation and more. In 2011, the "Vampire Diaries" star teamed up with Conservation International to save more than 300 acres of forest. Ian and his brother also own and operate Built of Barnwood, a company that creates artwork and furniture from reclaimed building materials. In 2012, he was awarded the Most Responsible Celebrity Award at the International Green Awards in London. In 2014, Ian starred on the Showtime documentary series "Years of Living Dangerously," which sent the actor and other celebrity correspondents to report on real-life stories of climate change around the world. Ian also executive produced the 2020 documentary "Kiss the Ground," which explores "regenerative agriculture." It was narrated by fellow green celeb Woody Harrelson.

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In 2017, "Twilight" actress Nikki Reed — who's married to fellow green celeb Ian Somerhalder — announced her sustainable lifestyle company, Bayou With Love, which features an array of cruelty-free items… but this wasn't her first foray into eco-conscious fashion. In 2015, Nikki collaborated with Freedom of Animals to create a line of vegan bags. For her contributions to the well-being of animals, the actress was also honored with the ASPCA Compassion Award in 2014.

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In 2007, Sheryl Crow brought attention to global warming with her "Stop Global Warming College Tour" — the "Soak Up the Sun" singer took a biodiesel-fueled bus across the country on an eco-tour of 12 campuses. But that's not all: According to The Smoking Gun, Sheryl's 2010 concert tour rider also included a two-and-a-half-page list of demands meant to "minimize the overall environmental impact of [her] tour." In 2017, Sheryl spoke to "Good Morning Britain" about her concerns for the environment because of the Trump administration's policies.

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In addition to living in an eco-friendly home, Adrien Grenier co-founded SHFT.com, a lifestyle and e-commerce platform that focuses on sustainable living and products. He's also an ambassador for Oceana, an organization that seeks to protect and restore the seas, and executive produced and starred on the eco-lifestyle makeover series "Alter Eco" for Discovery Channel's Planet Green. He founded the Lonely Whale Foundation in 2015, which is dedicated to connecting people with the world's oceans to inspire action for marine health. In 2017, Adrian was named a UN Environment Programme Goodwill Ambassador. The "Entourage" actor actively posts about his environmentalism efforts on his Instagram at @adriangrenier and has conducted in-depth conversations with several environmentalists on the platform including Leah Thomas, who developed "intersectional environmentalism."

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In 2007, Julia Roberts built an eco-friendly solar-powered home in Malibu featuring wood from sustainably managed forests as well as recycled materials. According to Vanity Fair, the Oscar winner has also found everyday ways to be green — from driving a Prius and using environmentally friendly diapers when her kids were young to bringing her own reusable cup with her when she goes out for coffee. In 2014, Julia voiced "Mother Nature" in a series of films organized by Conservation International.

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Back in 1996, Woody Harrelson landed in cuffs after he climbed the Golden Gate Bridge to protest the destruction of a 60,000-acre redwood grove in Northern California. The vegan and raw foodist was also the subject of the 2003 documentary "Go Further," which focused on his attempts to live an environmentally friendly life. In 2009, he received an honorary degree from York University for his contributions to environmental education and activism. Woody was named PETA's "Sexiest Vegetarian" in 2012. In 2014, he hosted "Ethos," a powerful documentary aimed at encouraging the public to engage in ethical consumerism. In 2016, he told The Guardian, "We live in a completely corrupted world where every government is just a bunch of businessmen working for a bunch of bigger businessmen and none of them give a s*** about the people." He also narrated the 2020 documentary "Kiss the Ground," which explores regenerative agriculture.

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Natalie Portman hosted the 2007 documentary "Saving a Species: Gorillas on the Brink," which told the story of Rwanda's endangered gorilla population. She also launched a collection of vegan footwear and sports eco-friendly jewelry: Both her engagement ring and wedding band are made from conflict-free diamonds and recycled platinum. In 2015, Natalie was among famous Harvard University alumni who wrote an open letter to the school demanding it divest its endowment from the fossil fuel industry. She also revealed on "The Late Late Show with James Corden" that when she was 9, she was in a "band" called the World Patrol Kids. "We would perform at like, Earth Day at the UN Plaza or whatever. I was really dorky, OK? Everyone knows now," she said.

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In addition to being an early proponent of electric cars, George Clooney teamed up with the Natural Resources Defense Council to launch Oil Change, a campaign to help eliminate America's dependence on foreign oil, after he starred in "Syriana" in 2005. Back in 2007, he appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair's first "Green" issue with Al Gore. It has been reported that he only drives electric cars. Although George is a self-proclaimed environmentalist, in 2016, he was called out for banking a lot of cash promoting Nespresso, which manufactures billions of plastic and aluminum pods each year that end up in landfills and take hundreds of years to break down.

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Alicia Silverstone reportedly lives in an eco-friendly house featuring solar panels. In addition to launching a collection of eco-friendly makeup products with Juice Beauty in 2012, the "Clueless" actress also promotes "healthy, green, eco-friendly living" through her blog, The Kind Life. She's been a vegan since 1998 and has two vegan cookbooks, "The Kind Life" and "The Kind Mama." In 2015, she published an op-ed in Newsweek in which she warned, "Our rapidly growing dependence on animals as a food source is one of the greatest threats to the climate."

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In 2014, Will Ferrell teamed up with actor Robert Redford and surfer Kelly Slater to help restore the Colorado River Delta through Robert's Raise the River organization. He also reportedly built an eco-friendly home with a solar-energy system and drives an electric car. Additionally, Will is an active supporter of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

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Singer-songwriter Jack Johnson is steadfastly dedicated to helping save the planet. His tour rider includes requests for compact fluorescent bulbs and recycling bins. Jack told Oprah.com, "We want to lessen the negative impact of touring and leave towns in slightly better shape than when we showed up." Additionally, his bus runs on biodiesel fuel. In 2008, he established The Johnson Ohana Foundation, a non-profit public charity whose mission is "to promote positive and lasting change within communities by supporting organizations that focus on environmental, art, and music education."

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In 1989, Sting and wife Trudie Styler founded the Rainforest Foundation Fund, an organization that aims to protect the rainforest and the "cultural integrity of the peoples whose lives and livelihoods are inextricably linked to those forests."

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In 2013, Matt Damon was honored by the Environmental Media Awards with its Ongoing Commitment Award for his efforts to provide underdeveloped countries access to clean water and sanitation. In 2009 — following his establishment of the H20 Africa Foundation — Matt joined Gary White as the co-founder of Water.org, a nonprofit dedicated to figuring out financial solutions to the global water crisis. In 2012, he wrote and starred in the environmental drama "Promised Land," which centers around corporate salespeople who attempt to buy drilling rights from local residents.

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Orlando Bloom has worked closely with Global Green USA and the Global Cool Foundation to draw attention to the dangers of climate change since early in his career. He also reportedly built an environmentally friendly home in London featuring solar panels, recycled materials and energy-efficient lighting. In 2018, the "Lord of the Rings" actor was honored with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Special Award for his efforts to raise awareness about the environment. "The world is changing, and we need to change our habits along with it," he said while accepting the award in Monte Carlo. "So I would challenge you to think what impact you can make and what legacy you will leave for your children and grandchildren, because I truly believe that each and every individual is capable of creating real and monumental change."

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In 2005, Salma Hayek teamed up with Global Green USA to travel to the Arctic Circle to draw attention to the threats posed by climate change including the melting of polar ice. She also served on the organization's board of directors. In 2011, Salma co-hosted the second annual Bid to Save the Earth, which raised funds for the Natural Resources Defense Council, Oceana, the Central Park Conservancy and Conservation International. She's also reportedly installed solar panels on her Los Angeles home.

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Stella McCartney designs clothing that is eco-friendly and ethically conscious. She eschews fur and leather and opts for raw materials when possible. In 2016, Stella's company announced its first Global Environmental Profit and Loss Account, confirming its commitment to responsible cultivation. She said in a press release that year, "Every single day, myself and my entire team are challenging ourselves and the industry: What we can do better? Can we be responsible and accountable for what we make and how we make it?" She told Vogue she was brought up on an organic farm, which really laid the groundwork for her philosophies.

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Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has always been an advocate for ethical environmental practices. He's been a supporter of the Friends of the Earth's Big Ask campaign since 2003. In 2010, he performed during a benefit concert for the British Green Party. In December 2015, he performed at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris. Global warming is also a frequent theme of his music, which largely unfurled on his 2006 solo album, "The Eraser." In 2018, he also released the track "Hands off the Antarctic" for a Greenpeace campaign.