Chairman, President and CE-Yo of Stonyfield Farm, Gary Hirshberg has overseen Stonyfield's phenomenal growth, as the world's leading organic yogurt producer. As a pioneer in organic farming, Hirshberg has developed sustainable and socially responsible technologies and practices in the field.
Environmental Speakers
Programs Fighting for the Environment
Leading the battle for environmental justice, from dealing with the toxic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to curbing urban sprawl, Dr. Bullard tells the stories of frontline warriors who are fighting environmental and human rights abuses. His research and activism challenges government and industry policies that place people of color and the poor at special risk. He is the author of 15 books, including “Race, Place, and Environmental Justice After Hurricane Katrina.”
Could the food you eat or the floors you walk on be toxic? Praised as "the new Rachel Carson" for her groundbreaking book "Living Downstream," Steingraber raises awareness of how toxins all around us adversely affect our health. She takes a personal and scientific look at the ecological links to cancer and other medical problems, and offers insight into how we can protect our environment and ourselves. Her new documentary Living Downstream, based on her highly-acclaimed book, was released in early 2010. [Photo Credit: Dede Hatch]
Writer and Director of The Story of Stuff, Annie Leonard is an expert in international sustainability and environmental health issues. Her new book, based on the film, was released in March 2010 to rave reviews. Annie's film, book, and program explore how our obsession with stuff is trashing the planet, our communities, and our health - and offers us a vision for change.
Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis bring humor and possibility to the sustainability movement through their unique blend of documentary and advocacy. Winners of the Peabody and Heinz Awards, Cheney and Ellis started out as campus advocates for sustainable food, then grew to collaborate on the documentaries King Corn, Big River, The Greening of Southie, The City Dark and Truck Farm, and to co-found the national service organization FoodCorps.
Stacy Malkan asks: what's in your makeup? The co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and award-winning author of "Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry," Malkan explains the truth behind the beauty industry.
What beauty can be found at the ocean's greatest depths? And how can we protect it? Biologist and deep-sea explorer Edith Widder combines her expertise in research and technological innovation with a commitment to reversing the worldwide trend of degradation in our marine environment. Her presentation gives a breathtaking view of the world beneath the surface of the seas.
Star of Animal Planet's hit show Whale Wars and founder of The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Captain Paul Watson is a dynamic and passionate speaker on conservation and environmental issues. A controversial figure dedicated to preventing the illegal slaughter of whales, dolphins and other endangered sea life, Watson takes major risks to protect the environment.
Founder of the Rainforest Alliance, and President of Just Change, which helps individuals and nonprofit organizations make strategic social and environmental change. Katz outlines specific ways that leaders in schools and communities can make an impact.
Once called "the most popular children's entertainer in the western world" (Washington Post), Raffi now lectures on his Child Honouring philosophy. He calls it a "compassion revolution." Raffi challenges his audience to become a catalyst for change with an idea whose time has come.
Meg Lowman climbs trees for a living. She has designed methods, including hot-air balloons and walkways for treetop exploration, to solve mysteries in the world’s forests, and has investigated links between insect pests and ecosystem health. Her book, "Life in the Treetops," received a cover review in The New York Times Sunday Book Review.
David Quammen is a nonfiction author, science journalist, and Contributing Writer for National Geographic. His work has also appeared in Harper’s, The Atlantic and Outside. His current book project involves the emergence and evolution of scary viruses.
A powerful storyteller, Mann's most recent book "1491" explores the history of the Americas before Columbus. A three-time National Magazine Award finalist, he has received awards for his articles and books on everything from emerging technologies to the business of medicine to endangered species. [ Photo Credit Josh D'Aluisio-Guerrieri ]
Endangered animals, the biodiversity crisis, threats to water supplies, global deforestation, and the politics of the environment are just some of the issues Linden tackles in his research and writing. His new book Winds of Change shows how civilizations become prosperous and complacent during good weather, only to collapse as a result of drastic climate changes and their consequences.
As earth warms, the formerly inaccessible Arctic – graveyard for explorers for hundreds of years - is opening to shipping, more oil exploration, tourism and possible military conflict. Trillions of dollars are at stake. Arctic nations are arming. Eskimos fear that the new land rush will destroy their age old culture and food supply. Author Bob Reiss has been traveling the world, learning how rapid change in the Arctic will affect nature and US security and sovereignty. Using his findings, Reiss discusses how the US is notoriously unprepared for the dangers and opportunities facing us as ice disappears.
David Helvarg has over 30 years of experience reporting from the frontlines of wars, epidemics and environmental catastrophes. He’s also the author numerous award-winning books, like “Rescue Warriors: The U.S. Coast Guard, America’s Forgotten Heroes,” editor of the Ocean and Coastal Conservation Guide and the recipient of the prestigious 2005 Coastal Living Award for Leadership.
Imagine if your job required you to stand in the winds of a Category 5 hurricane. That's just one of the adventures of the world's first full-time professional storm chaser, who regularly risks his life to capture some of the most breathtaking images of extreme weather. Warren Faidley's first-hand experiences of outwitting storms have made him one of the most sought-after experts on storm chasing and storm survival.
At the age of 18, she spoke to the United Nations regarding Native American issues and since has become known as a voice for American Indian economic and environmental justice throughout the United States and internationally. She is the author of "Recovering the Sacred: The Power of Naming and Claiming," as well as numerous articles.
Young, Fierce, Eco-Huntress -- Emily Hunter is the eco-correspondent for MTV, Emily -- like her father, the late, great Robert Hunter, a Greenpeace co-founder -- uses her journalistic talents to spread a green message. Emily strives to make people aware of the consequences of consumption and everyday actions through television and videos, print media and web-based publications. Her latest project is a book entitled The Next Eco-Warriors
Kyle Thiermann is a pro surfer with a passion to systemically affect change. Combining surfing great waves around the world with making a series of short films about current issues, he focuses on the power we have to create a better world through everyday actions that we take.
