Stand for EARTH

“WE FIND OURSELVES FACING AN EVEN MORE DIRE, ALMOST EXISTENTIAL, SET OF GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES, FROM LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY TO CLIMATE CHANGE TO PLASTIC POLLUTION, THAT CALL FOR ACTION…” SAID DENIS HAYES, THE ORGANIZER OF THE FIRST EARTH DAY IN 1970. FIFTY YEARS LATER, THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR’S ”EARTH DAY 2020” IS UNSURPRINSINGLY CLIMATE ACTION. AUSTRALIA IS STILL BURNING, INDONESIA IS UNDERWATER WHILE THE AMAZON IS ALSO IN SEVERE DANGER. IT’S TIME TO HELP PROTECT OUR PRECIOUS LANDS, AIR, WATER AND WILDLIFE AND RESTORE OUR PLANET. ELLE MEETS WITH SOME OF THE MOST ENTHUSIASTIC ECO-CELEBRITIES INVOLVED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL NGOS. FROM SUSTAINABILITY IN FASHION, TO PROTECTING OUR OCEANS AND BUILDING SAFE WATER SOURCES, TAKE A LEAF OUT OF THEIR BOOK. AND REMEMBER: IT BEGINS WITH US.

- VIRGINIE DOLATA & GEORGINA JOHNSTON-WATT

Actor MATT DAMON

Special thanks to Water.org for the participation of Matt Damon

Critically acclaimed actor, producer, screenwriter and CO-FOUNDER OF WATER. ORG, Matt Damon is a 21st-century renaissance man in every sense, making an impact on (and off!) the silver screen. Fifteen years ago he set himself the significant task of COMBATTING WORLD POVERTY AND POOR SANITATION, having witnessed its effects first hand when filming. Tirelessly campaigning for THE PROVISION OF CLEAN WATER and economic empowerment, since 2009, without further ado, roll out the red carpet it’s Matt Damon!

What prompted you to first get involved with this environmental cause/charity/foundation?

As I researched the world’s most pressing issues, I recognised access to water and sanitation is the solution to a lot of the issues. Without water or toilets, people have no way out of poverty and some of the world’s largest issues can’t be solved—with them, lives, communities, and economies are changed. While I was filming a movie in Sub-Saharan Africa, I spent time with families in a Zambian village. They lacked access to water and toilets. Seeing their daily struggles to find water or a place to go really inspired my passion for, and commitment to, helping solve the global water crisis through my work at Water.org.

What are its current goals and current project?