Presenters
Abstract
Celebrities are popular culture icons that can use their influence and their financial means to educate people on environmental issues and to implement sustainable strategies throughout the world. When doing so, they have acted as Nature-centered leaders. In order to understand which celebrities are acting as Nature-centered leaders, it is necessary for us to first examine what it takes to be considered a Nature-centered leader. Stober, Brown, and Cullen published Nature-centered Leadership: An Aspirational Narrative, where write on Nature-centered leaders: Nature-centered leaders should dialogue and act with others on Nature’s behalf. They recognize the value of power with Nature and they work to encourage dialogue around emerging strategies to protect Nature. (2013, p. 29) The text discusses how the media can play an influential role, but, as environmental concerns have found a permanent home as a contemporary issue, it is clear that celebrities continue to make Nature-centered decisions when selecting how to use their time, fame, and resources are worthy of further exploration. Celebrities from areas including television, film, music, and sports have helped make great strides through promoting sustainability initiatives that are good for the planet, both on and off the screen/stage/page/field/court. Nature-centered leaders, those who speak with others and act on Nature’s behalf, have and can continue to be found in the public eye. This presentation will focus on five celebrities who have used their spotlight to shine a spotlight on environmental concerns. Each celebrity selected highlights a different way celebrities are using their fame to act on Nature’s behalf.