March 28, 2013
Eco News Network presents our favorite eco-celeb of the week. We love seeing what celebrities are up to, and that doesn’t mean when it comes to movies, television or music albums, but with how they’re giving back to the planet. This week, country singer Willie Nelson caught our eye. In addition to his music hits, Nelson loves the planet. Check out how he protects Mother Earth.
Loved for hits like “On the Road Again,” Willie Nelson is a musical sensation. Even at 79 years-old, Willie continues to make a name for himself, especially through his immense support for the environment.
For years, the country singer has protected the planet through charities, organizations, music and speaking his mind. Here are just some of the ways Willie continues to show the planet is always on his mind.
1. Willie Works for the Farms
Alongside John Mellencamp and Neil Young, Willie founded Farm Aid, which keeps America’s farms growing and raises awareness about the loss of family farms. Through music and charity, the organization promotes a family farm system of agriculture. They organized the first concert in 1985, and the rest is history. So far, Farm Aid has raised more than $40 million! It’s been so successful that even Dave Matthews joined the Board of Directors in 2001. If you want to support farms and Willie’s foundation, check out Farm Aid’s annual concert here.
2. Willie Creates His Own Sustainable BioDiesel
Now, this shows commitment to the planet. Willie loves the environment so much that he has his very own sustainable biodiesel called BioWillie. It is a petroleum diesel alternative made from waste vegetable oil, waste fats and seed crops. It’s extremely cleaner than ultra-low-sulfur diesel, and produces 70 percent less harmful emissions. BioWillie also meets the 2012 Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance Gold Standard. Another benefit: it’s made right here in the United States!
3. Willie Loves Animals
Willie also shows love to Earth’s creatures. In 2012, it was reported that he took home two starved, neglected horses named Whisper and Traveler. They were extremely underweight and abused, but Willie opened his heart and home to the beautiful animals. In the past, he’s also shown respect to pit bulls. He once wrote an email to the state of Ohio detailing his opposition to a law labeling pit bulls as “vicious dogs.” Will said the law was “archaic.”
4. Willie Receives High Honors for His Eco-Work
Willie never goes unnoticed for his green work. In 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) honored Willie for BioWillie. The EPA presented Willie an award at its eighth annual Environmental Awards Ceremony for his sustainable biodiesel. In 2012, he received the Planet Defender Award, and in 2011, he was also inducted into the National Agricultural Hall of Fame.
Keep up the green work, Willie!
-Allyson Koerner
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
