30 Famous Environmental Celebrities Who Truly Care About the Environment

The famous environmental celebrities include Leonardo DiCaprio, Greta Thunberg, Jane Goodall, David Attenborough, Billie Eilish, Mark Ruffalo, Gisele Bündchen, Prince William, Emma Watson, and Al Gore. They use their fame to support causes like fighting climate change, protecting nature, promoting sustainability, and ensuring environmental justice.

To learn more about these influential environmentalists—who include actors, musicians, activists, youth leaders, and global changemakers—check out the guide below. Each profile shares its main causes, achievements, and key impacts that are helping shape today’s efforts to protect our planet.

1. Leonardo DiCaprio (USA)

Leonardo DiCaprio, a well-known Hollywood actor and environmental activist, has spent many years supporting efforts to fight climate change, protect wildlife, and conserve oceans. Through the Earth Alliance, which used to be called the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, he has donated more than $100 million to over 200 projects around the world.

Key impact:

• Donated $100M+ to 200+ environmental projects worldwide
• Co-founder of Earth Alliance, supporter of WWF, NRDC
• UN Messenger of Peace for Climate
• Produced major climate documentaries (Before the Flood, The 11th Hour)
• Helped plant 17+ million trees

Quote: “Climate change is real… it is the most urgent threat facing our species.”

2. Greta Thunberg (Sweden)

Greta Thunberg is a young climate activist. She started a global movement called Fridays for Future. She is one of the most important climate change activists today. Her speeches and activism inspire millions of people around the world.

Key Impact:

• Inspired climate strikes in 7,500+ cities
• TIME Person of the Year (2019)
• Multiple Nobel Peace Prize nominations
• Influenced global climate policy discussions
• Prominent voice at COP conferences
• Advocates low-consumption, vegan, flight-free lifestyles

Quote: “I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is.”

3. Billie Eilish (USA)

Musician Billie Eilish is a young environmental advocate who is changing the music industry. She focuses on eco-friendly tours and works with environmental groups.

Key Impact:

• Removed 300+ tons of ocean plastic via sustainable tour operations
• Introduced solar-powered stages and battery systems
• Launched sustainable merchandise and eco-tour initiatives
• Encourages fans to reduce waste through partnerships with climate orgs
• Advocate for plant-based living and climate education

4. Mark Ruffalo (USA)

Mark Ruffalo is an actor and activist who has spoken out strongly for clean water and renewable energy. He is well-known around the world as a celebrity climate supporter.

Key Impact:

• Co-founded The Solutions Project (granted $10M+ to clean energy efforts)
• Leading anti-fracking advocate
• Hosted Toxic Tours exposing environmental injustices
• Regularly testifies before government panels
• Narrated Kiss the Ground promotes community solar

Quote: “We lack political will, not the technology.”

5. Gisele Bündchen (Brazil)

Brazilian model Gisele Bündchen combines fashion with caring for the environment. She supports forests, clean water, and replanting trees.

Key Impact:

• UN Goodwill Ambassador for the Environment
• Supports Projeto Agua Limpa for clean water access
• Donated millions to reforestation and biodiversity projects
• Received Global Environmental Citizen Award
• Uses sustainable fashion to influence global audiences

6. Jaden Smith (USA)

Jaden Smith is an actor and musician from the USA. He is also involved in businesses that focus on sustainable water solutions.

Key Impact:

• Co-founded JUST Water, promoting plant-based packaging
• Delivered Water Boxes to communities affected by contamination
• Encourages youth-led climate innovation
• Supporter of ocean-cleanup programs

7. Sunderlal Bahuguna (India)

A famous conservationist known for leading efforts to protect forests.

Key Impact:

• Leader of the Chipko Movement
• Influenced India’s forest-protection policies
• Advocated for Himalaya conservation for decades
• Inspired global tree-hugging environmentalism

8. Rajendra Singh (India)

Rajendra Singh is a water conservationist known as the Waterman of India because of his important work with water sources.

Key Impact:

• Rejuvenated 5,000+ water bodies using community systems
• Restored rivers in drought-prone regions
• Received the Ramon Magsaysay Award
• Model for decentralized water management

9. Medha Patkar (India)

Medha Patkar is well-known for leading the Narmada Bachao Andolan, a movement that aims to protect rivers, forests, and communities forced to move. She is also recognized internationally among famous environmental activists.

10. Sunita Narain (India)

Sunita Narain is the Director of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). She has helped shape environmental policies in India. She works on issues like climate resilience, controlling pollution, food systems, and laws for sustainability.

11. Vandana Shiva (India)

Vandana Shiva is a well-known activist and author around the world who works on sustainability. She focuses on protecting seeds, fighting against GMOs, and preserving biodiversity. Her organization, Navdanya, encourages organic farming and the protection of traditional seeds.

12. Jadav “Molai” Payeng (India)

Payeng is a well-known environmentalist who, by himself, planted a 550-hectare forest called Molai Forest over many years. His effort shows how one person's actions can help the environment.

13. Nemonte Nenquimo (Ecuador)

Nenquimo is an indigenous leader and a well-known defender of the Amazon rainforest. She played a key role in protecting 500,000 acres of rainforest from oil drilling. Her leadership is an inspiring example among environmental activists and those fighting to protect the land.

14. Francia Márquez (Columbia)

Now Colombia’s Vice President, Francia Márquez, became well-known around the world for organizing marches against mining and for protecting lands of Afro-Colombians. She supports climate justice and environmental fairness.

15. Berta Cáceres (Honduras)

Cáceres was a brave defender of rivers and indigenous land. She fought against the Agua Zarca Dam. After her death, she was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize. She is still a symbol of environmental fight.

16. Pharrell Williams (USA)

Musician Pharrell uses his fame to promote environmental sustainability. He speaks at UN Climate Conferences and supports efforts to protect water and the oceans. He also includes eco-friendly ideas in his fashion and music projects.

17. Jane Fonda (USA)

Jane Fonda is a strong actress and activist. Through her Fire Drill Fridays, she urges people to take immediate action on climate change. Her efforts have started important conversations about climate justice.

18. Cate Blanchett (Australia)

Actress Blanchett is well known as a supporter of climate change causes. She hosts the Climate of Change podcast and is a judge for the Earthshot Prize. Her work combines storytelling with efforts to protect the environment.

19. Prince William (UK)

Prince William, who started the Earthshot Prize, helps and encourages those working on solutions for climate and the environment. He supports traveling in ways that are good for the planet, eating less meat, caring for wildlife, and protecting the oceans.

20. Ellen DeGeneres (USA)

She is an entertainer and, through the Ellen Fund, she helps protect gorillas and fight deforestation. Her work is about saving animal homes and taking care of endangered species.

21. David Attenborough (UK)

Broadcaster Attenborough is one of the most well-known environmentalists in history. His documentaries—Our Planet, Blue Planet II, and A Life on Our Planet—have taught millions of people and encouraged global efforts to protect the environment. He is a UN Champion of the Earth and has been knighted for his work in conservation.

22. Jane Goodall (UK)

Dr. Goodall is a scientist who studies primates and is well known around the world for her work in helping wildlife and fighting climate change. Her Jane Goodall Institute and the Roots & Shoots youth program operate in over 65 countries. She encourages people to eat more plant-based foods, reduce carbon emissions, and protect natural habitats.

23. Emma Watson (Actor, UK)

Emma Watson is a well-known celebrity who cares about the environment and sustainable fashion. She helped start the project called “The Press Tour,” supports the ethical fashion platform Good On You, and encourages simple, slow fashion choices.

24. Al Gore (USA)

American leader Al Gore is a well-known figure in teaching about global climate issues. He started The Climate Reality Project and has trained over 45,000 Climate Reality Leaders around the world. As a Nobel Peace Prize winner, Gore keeps working to promote renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions.

25. Shailene Woodley (USA)

Actor Woodley takes part in protests against pipelines, campaigns to protect the oceans, and Indigenous rights movements. She was arrested at Standing Rock while protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline and supports living with less waste.

26. Jack Harries (UK)

Harries is a documentary filmmaker who co-founded Earthrise Studio. They make videos about climate change that teach and inspire young people. Harries lives in a way that reduces carbon emissions and supports veganism.

27. Joaquin Phoenix (USA)

Actor Phoenix talks about caring for the environment, supporting vegan choices, and fighting for climate justice. He speaks at award shows and public events to encourage people to protect the planet.

28. Coldplay (Band, UK)

Coldplay changed how they tour to reduce pollution, use clean energy, and support eco-friendly concerts. They are good examples of famous musicians helping the environment.

29. Chico Mendes (Brazil)

Mendes was a famous environmental activist who worked to save the Amazon and support local communities. His work still encourages efforts to protect tropical forests.

30. Rigoberta Menchú (Guatemala)

Menchú, who won the Nobel Peace Prize, speaks up for land rights, protecting the environment, and leading indigenous efforts in conservation.

Final Thoughts

These well-known environmentalists, eco-activists, and leaders in sustainability are guiding the worldwide effort to create a healthier planet. Whether they are Hollywood stars, musicians, politicians, indigenous defenders, or young advocates, each one shows that powerful voices can bring about real environmental change.