Mass Inspiration: 3 Celebrity Women Driving Green Into the Mainstream

Gloria Reuben

The Truth Teller

Gloria Reuben has helped save lives as a physician's assistant on NBC's ER, and in real life she's turned her attention to saving the health of millions of children.

As the spokesperson the Waterkeeper Alliance's "The Dirty Lie" campaign, she is leading the effort to dispel the notion that coal is somehow "clean." The coal industry is promoting "clean coal" as a present-day solution to America's energy problems, but the coal burned today to make electricity contributes mightily to smog, acid rain, mercury contamination and, of course, global warming.

"Clean coal" is a term used to describe largely theoretical technologies that have yet to be employed comprehensively to burn coal without producing significant air pollution. As Reuben knows, there is no clean coal today.

Reuben says, "Profits from coal are being made at the expense of our health and the health of our children. It’s time to create a new energy future for America." That’s why The Daily Green honored Gloria Reuben as its Truth Teller during this year's Heart of Green Awards ceremony. Watch her acceptance speech!

Alicia Silverstone

The Eco-Original

Alicia Silverstone took off her clothes.

Where were we?

Oh, right. Alicia Silverstone took off her clothes…to demonstrate her commitment to animal rights. As part of PETA's revolutionary ad campaigns, the actress declared that she'd rather wear nothing than wear fur…or eat meat, for that matter. She got our attention.

A vegan for more than a decade, Silverstone has consistently used her celebrity to discuss the issues that matter to her. Later this year, she will publish her first book, the The Kind Diet about "the connection between what we put in our bodies and what we're doing to the planet – how choosing the right foods in the kitchen can help you feeling lighter, sexier and more alive."

For her commitment to human health animal rights through ethical eating, The Daily Green declared her an Eco-Original and honored her with a Heart of Green Award. Watch her acceptance speech!

Maria Menounos

The Star Connection

There's plenty of Hollywood gossip to go around, but only one correspondent who makes sure all the gab is about going green.

As the host of Hollywood Green, on Planet Discovery, Maria Menounos captivates her audience by celebrating the good green deeds of her fellow celebrities.

Whether she's highlighting Lindsay Lohan's eco-friendly leggings, super model Cheryl Tieg's new hydrogen fuel cell car – or Virginia Madsen's green home renovation, Menounos lets her audience peek in on their favorite stars – and invites the masses to emulate the stars' better habits.

Menounos has always been environmentally conscientious, and she says she takes away the same message from Hollywood Green as her audience does: That every day we can make choices with the environment in mind.

For shining a light on Hollywood's green stars, and helping to put their celebrity wattage to good use, Menounos is the 2009 Heart of Green Star Connection. Watch her acceptance speech!