NRDC Meets Celebrity

Celebrities have all come together to pass a legislation bill that will make American history if passed. They are featured in a video made by the Natural Resource Defense Council Action Fund that directly talks to voters about getting off their tush and contacting their state Senator. Anything from a letter to a video sent to them is what they are asking. Stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Justin Long and Emmy Rossum are amongst the celebrities that make an appearance.

NRDC Action Fund: Who are they and what are they doing?

The Natural Resource Defense Council or NRDC has created an Action Fund that will hopefully assist in the passage of legislation that will jump start clean energy economy. It will also support legislation that supports the reduction of pollution. Both of these factors are key in the battle of climate change. As we all may know that in a nationwide dispute, problems are solved through legislation, and that many great movements have started first with policy. Now is that time.

The overall goal of the NRDC is the passage of a comprehensive clean energy policy that will re-power the economy and lead a way to non-dependence on foreign oil. The main goal right now that involves all is to mobilize us and the rest of the community to vote for clean energy legislation. The action fund recently assisted in the passing of the American Clean Energy and Security Act. A main part of their efforts relied on social media and overall web based news, feeds and conversations. The Action Fund is working with NRDC and other partners to implement steps and strategies to pass ACES in the Senate this year. The strategy recently used was a “Hero’s and Villains” themed web page that identified how members in strategic states voted and asked that activists be on the side of the Hero’s.

The NRDC understands that the environmental movement is not everyone’s belief or understanding, which is why they work to build coalitions with strategic partners to make sure that those who are worth listening to get a worthy and large audience. This component is very important to their passing of the bill, which is why they have created the video–to virally enter the homes of millions of Americans that hopefully will give this a second look, pass it on and possibly even write or send a video to their Senator.

Ok, now you have the information and you may ask: so what? Well for your information, this is a country that is ultimately determined by its citizens and demands that you care for it for the good of the people. Make sure that if environmentalism is on your list of importance in life, that you take action in situations such as this. This provides an incredible opportunity for both you and your fellow Americans to make a difference with the way we handle our energy and dependence on foreign oil. The passing of this bill is reminiscent of the old phrase “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”.

To learn more check out this video -

Father’s Day Special: Top 10 Celebrity Eco-Dads

1. Kevin Costner – Although the number one spot is usually taken by long time Eco Warrior Ed Begley Jr., our choice for the number one spot is being given to by Mr. Costner because of his exceptional contributions in the recent BP oil spill, also known as the worst this world has ever experienced.  Costner helped fund the development of this machine 15 years ago. The researchers were headed by Costner’s brother, a scientist. Currently there are 5 different models of the extractor, from 5 gallons/minute to 200 gallons/minute. The actor and environmental activist just demonstrated a machine that extracts 97% of the oil from water.

It appears that the machine contains a centrifuge inside that helps it separate the oil from the water, due to the density differences of the two. One of the problems to overcome is containing the oil so it can be extracted from the water. If the oil is dispersed over a vast area, it will be virtually impossible to filter all that water and capture the oil.

Back when the Exxon disaster occurred, Costner was inspired to invest $20 million of his own money into an oil cleanup machine. He was quoted as saying: “If 20 of my V20s [machines] would have been at the Exxon Valdez, 90 percent of that oil would have been cleaned up within the week.”

After much testing, BP has purchased 32 of Costner’s machines to help clean up the spill. Now, we wait.

Other stellar Eco-Dads of the Green Revolution:

2. Ed Begley Jr – The comedic actor composts his garbage and relies on solar and thermal power to run his home. He also created a line of Eco-friendly cleaning products called Begley’s Best. Not to mention his green program on Planet Green, namely called “Living with Ed.”

3. Robert Redford – Robert Redford has taken his cinematic talent green by producing and narrating a documentary about Yosemite National Park to help protect the sacred lands and parks in the US.

4. Brad Pitt – He has been an incredibly important player in the post-Katrina green building movement. He contributed $5 million of his own dollars to help fund the project.

5. Al Gore – As most of us have seen, An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore devotes his talents to the fight against climate change and has won an Emmy, an Oscar and the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

6. Will Ferrell – As an active supporter of the Natural Resources Defense Council, Will Ferrell will soon be driving his electric car into the driveway of his green home.

7. Tom Hanks – He has been driving electric vehicles for some time now and his production company operates from a solar-powered building.

8. Sting – The superstar and his wife created The Rainforest Foundation back in 1989. They now make a difference in 15 counties to protect precious habitat. The Foundation to date has saved over 70,000 square miles of land.

9. Willie Nelson As a pillar of the alternative fuel movement, he encourages the public to become less dependent on foreign oil and started producing biodiesel at a Texas truck stop in 2004.

10. Chris Martin An advocate of fair trade, the vegetarian is an Eco-Warrior on stage and in his everyday life.