Wednesday, Apr. 26, 2000

Star Power Lights The Way

Denis Hayes is the Mike Ovitz of the environmental movement, always hustling for new ways to promote the cause. When Hayes, the chief organizer of Earth Day 2000, wanted a headliner host for his April 22 rally in Washington for clean energy, he landed a star of Titanic proportions: LEONARDO DICAPRIO. By signing up to help save the planet, Leo joins a distinguished list of notables who have used their celebrity to draw attention to environmental issues. TV actor TED DANSON founded the American Oceans Campaign, Academy Award winner SUSAN SARANDON is an avid supporter of Mark Plotkin's Amazon Conservation Team, STING throws an annual rain-forest benefit concert in New York City's Carnegie Hall, writer ARUNDHATI ROY has campaigned to stop the building of dams on India's Narmada River, Hong Kong actor CHOW YUN-FAT has done promotional work for the World Wildlife Fund, and Brazilian singer GILBERTO GIL was so worried about water pollution in his hometown of Salvador, Bahia, that he joined the Green Party and won a seat on the city council. Now it's Leo's turn. So, all you fans, listen up to what he has to say.