Table of Contents
Introduction
Are you an event organizer, educational institution, corporate entity, non-profit organization, or an individual passionate about environmental issues?
This article will guide you to book the perfect environmental speakers for your next conference.
Keep reading to find out who to pick for your next event!
Top 30 Environmental Speakers for Your Conference
Here are some great options for your event. See one you like? Click the button to reach out.
1. Jane Goodall
Dr. Jane Goodall is a world-renowned primatologist and environmental activist. She has dedicated her life to the study and preservation of chimpanzees.
- Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute
- UN Messenger of Peace
- Author of numerous books on wildlife and conservation
Why you should hire Jane Goodall? Her profound knowledge and passion for wildlife conservation make her an inspiring choice for any event.
2. Al Gore
Al Gore is a former Vice President of the United States and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate for his efforts to combat climate change. He is a leading advocate for environmental awareness and action.
- Creator of the documentary “An Inconvenient Truth”
- Founder of The Climate Reality Project
- Influential voice in global environmental policy
Why you should hire Al Gore? His influential work in climate advocacy makes him a compelling speaker on urgent environmental issues.
3. Wangari Maathai
Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan environmental political activist and Nobel laureate. She founded the Green Belt Movement, which focuses on tree planting, environmental conservation, and women’s rights.
- First African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize
- Advocate for women’s rights and environmental conservation
- Author of “Unbowed: A Memoir”
Why you should hire Wangari Maathai? Her legacy in sustainable development and social justice offers valuable insights for your audience.
4. Bill McKibben
Bill McKibben is an environmentalist and author, best known for his book “The End of Nature,” the first book on climate change for a general audience. He is also the founder of 350.org, a global grassroots climate campaign.
- Founder of 350.org
- Award-winning journalist
- Frequent contributor to The New Yorker
Why you should hire Bill McKibben? His expertise in climate change activism makes him an excellent speaker for environmental awareness.
5. Vandana Shiva
Dr. Vandana Shiva is an Indian scholar and environmental activist. She has written extensively on topics such as biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, and food security.
- Founder of Navdanya, a seed-saving network
- Advocate for sustainable agriculture
- Author of “Earth Democracy”
Why you should hire Vandana Shiva? Her commitment to sustainable farming and ecological diversity brings a critical perspective to environmental discussions.
6. David Attenborough
Sir David Attenborough is a legendary broadcaster and natural historian, known for his captivating nature documentaries. His work has inspired millions to appreciate and protect the natural world.
- Narrator of “Planet Earth” and “Blue Planet”
- BAFTA and Emmy award winner
- Advocate for wildlife conservation
Why you should hire David Attenborough? His engaging storytelling and deep knowledge of natural history captivate audiences.
7. Greta Thunberg
Greta Thunberg is a Swedish environmental activist known for her efforts to combat climate change through school strikes and global movements. She has mobilized millions of young people to demand urgent climate action.
- Founder of the Fridays for Future movement
- Time Person of the Year 2019
- Speaker at the United Nations Climate Action Summit
Why you should hire Greta Thunberg? Her passionate activism and youthful energy inspire action among all generations.
8. Paul Hawken
Paul Hawken is an environmentalist, entrepreneur, and author of several books on sustainable business practices. He is the founder of Project Drawdown, which focuses on climate solutions.
- Founder of Project Drawdown
- Author of “Blessed Unrest”
- Advocate for regenerative agriculture
Why you should hire Paul Hawken? His innovative approaches to sustainability offer practical solutions for environmental challenges.
9. Sylvia Earle
Dr. Sylvia Earle is a marine biologist, oceanographer, and explorer. She has dedicated her career to ocean conservation and founded Mission Blue to protect marine areas.
- Founder of Mission Blue
- National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence
- Author of “The World is Blue”
Why you should hire Sylvia Earle? Her profound knowledge of ocean ecosystems provides crucial insights into marine conservation.
10. Michael Mann
Dr. Michael Mann is a climate scientist and author, known for his work on climate change and the famous “hockey stick” graph. He is a prominent advocate for climate science communication.
- Director of the Earth System Science Center at Penn State
- Author of “The Madhouse Effect”
- Advocate for climate science outreach
Why you should hire Michael Mann? His scientific expertise and communication skills make complex climate topics accessible.
11. Majora Carter
Majora Carter is an urban revitalization strategist and environmental justice advocate. She founded Sustainable South Bronx, focusing on green infrastructure and urban renewal.
- TED Talk speaker with over 2 million views
- MacArthur “Genius” Fellow
- Advocate for green infrastructure in urban areas
Why you should hire Majora Carter? Her innovative work in urban sustainability brings practical solutions to environmental justice issues.
12. Naomi Klein
Naomi Klein is an award-winning journalist and author known for her critical analysis of corporate globalization and environmental issues. Her books, such as “This Changes Everything,” address the intersection of capitalism and climate change.
- Author of “This Changes Everything”
- Co-founder of The Leap
- Senior Correspondent at The Intercept
Why you should hire Naomi Klein? Her critical perspectives on capitalism and climate change provoke thoughtful discussions.
13. Robert Swan
Robert Swan is the first person to walk to both the North and South Poles and a dedicated advocate for renewable energy. He founded the 2041 Foundation to promote the use of renewable energy in preserving Antarctica.
- Founder of the 2041 Foundation
- Author of “Antarctica 2041”
- Ambassador for Clean Energy
Why you should hire Robert Swan? His adventurous spirit and commitment to renewable energy inspire audiences to embrace sustainability.
14. Alexandra Cousteau
Alexandra Cousteau is an environmental advocate and water policy expert. She continues the legacy of her grandfather, Jacques Cousteau, in marine conservation.
- Founder of Blue Legacy
- National Geographic Emerging Explorer
- Advocate for water conservation
Why you should hire Alexandra Cousteau? Her dedication to water sustainability and conservation brings critical issues to the forefront.
15. Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda is an actress and activist, known for her outspoken advocacy on climate change and environmental justice. She founded Fire Drill Fridays to protest for climate action.
- Founder of Fire Drill Fridays
- Two-time Academy Award winner
- Longtime political activist
Why you should hire Jane Fonda? Her celebrity status and passionate activism draw significant attention to environmental causes.
16. Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio is an actor and environmentalist who has used his platform to raise awareness about climate change. He founded the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation to support various environmental projects.
- Founder of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation
- UN Messenger of Peace for Climate Change
- Producer of “Before the Flood”
Why you should hire Leonardo DiCaprio? His high-profile advocacy for climate action captivates and mobilizes audiences.
17. Christiana Figueres
Christiana Figueres is a diplomat and executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, instrumental in the Paris Agreement. She founded Global Optimism to inspire climate action.
- Founder of Global Optimism
- Author of “The Future We Choose”
- Advocate for international climate policy
Why you should hire Christiana Figueres? Her expertise in global climate policy and optimism for the future inspire meaningful change.
18. Katherine Hayhoe
Dr. Katherine Hayhoe is a climate scientist and a leading voice in climate communication, known for her ability to connect with diverse audiences. She directs the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech University.
- Director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech University
- Co-author of “A Climate for Change”
- Advocate for climate science outreach
Why you should hire Katherine Hayhoe? Her ability to bridge the gap between science and public understanding makes her a compelling speaker.
19. Denis Hayes
Denis Hayes is an environmental advocate and coordinator of the first Earth Day, which helped launch the modern environmental movement. He is currently the president of the Bullitt Foundation, promoting sustainable cities.
- President of the Bullitt Foundation
- Author of “Cowed”
- Advocate for renewable energy
Why you should hire Denis Hayes? His historical role in the environmental movement and ongoing advocacy provide valuable perspectives.
20. Amy Goodman
Amy Goodman is a journalist and the host of Democracy Now!, known for her investigative reporting on environmental issues. She has received numerous awards for her work in independent media.
- Author of “The Silenced Majority”
- Recipient of numerous journalism awards
- Advocate for independent media
Why you should hire Amy Goodman? Her commitment to uncovering environmental injustices and giving a voice to the marginalized enriches any discussion.
21. Winona LaDuke
Winona LaDuke is an environmental activist and economist working on issues of sustainable development and renewable energy. She founded Honor the Earth to support Indigenous environmental issues.
- Founder of Honor the Earth
- Author of “Recovering the Sacred”
- Advocate for Indigenous rights
Why you should hire Winona LaDuke? Her focus on Indigenous perspectives and sustainability brings diverse voices to environmental conversations.
22. Carl Safina
Dr. Carl Safina is an ecologist and author known for his work on the human relationship with nature and the ocean. He founded the Safina Center to advance the conservation of wildlife and the environment.
- Founder of the Safina Center
- Author of “Beyond Words”
- Advocate for wildlife conservation
Why you should hire Carl Safina? His deep understanding of the natural world and eloquent writing inspire a greater appreciation for conservation.
23. James Hansen
Dr. James Hansen is a climate scientist and former director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, known for his pioneering work on climate change. He has been a leading voice in climate advocacy for decades.
- Author of “Storms of My Grandchildren”
- Advocate for climate action
- Frequent speaker at international climate conferences
Why you should hire James Hansen? His scientific expertise and long-term commitment to climate advocacy provide a solid foundation for climate discussions.
24. Yvon Chouinard
Yvon Chouinard is the founder of Patagonia and a passionate advocate for environmental responsibility in business practices. He has pioneered initiatives like 1% for the Planet to support environmental nonprofits.
- Author of “Let My People Go Surfing”
- Advocate for corporate environmental responsibility
- Pioneer of the 1% for the Planet initiative
Why you should hire Yvon Chouinard? His innovative approach to business and sustainability offers valuable insights for corporate audiences.
25. Michael Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg is a businessman, philanthropist, and former mayor of New York City, known for his efforts to combat climate change through policy and philanthropy. He founded Bloomberg Philanthropies to address global challenges.
- Founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies
- UN Special Envoy for Climate Action
- Advocate for urban sustainability
Why you should hire Michael Bloomberg? His leadership in urban policy and philanthropy provides practical strategies for addressing climate change.
26. Mary Robinson
Mary Robinson is a former President of Ireland and a global advocate for climate justice and human rights. She chairs The Elders, a group of global leaders working for peace and human rights.
- Chair of The Elders
- Author of “Climate Justice”
- Advocate for international human rights
Why you should hire Mary Robinson? Her focus on the intersection of climate change and human rights brings critical issues to the forefront.
27. George Monbiot
George Monbiot is an environmental activist and journalist, known for his writings on rewilding and the ecological crisis. He is a columnist for The Guardian and author of several influential books.
- Author of “Feral”
- Columnist for The Guardian
- Advocate for rewilding and ecological restoration
Why you should hire George Monbiot? His provocative ideas and clear writing style challenge conventional thinking and inspire action.
28. Vandana Shiva
Dr. Vandana Shiva is an Indian scholar and environmental activist known for her advocacy of biodiversity and traditional farming practices. She founded Navdanya, a movement to protect native seeds and promote organic farming.
- Founder of Navdanya
- Advocate for seed freedom
- Author of “Earth Democracy”
Why you should hire Vandana Shiva? Her dedication to ecological sustainability and social justice resonates with diverse audiences.
29. Jeffrey Sachs
Dr. Jeffrey Sachs is an economist and a leader in sustainable development, known for his work on global poverty and environmental sustainability. He directs the Earth Institute at Columbia University.
- Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University
- Author of “The Age of Sustainable Development”
- Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General
Why you should hire Jeffrey Sachs? His expertise in economics and sustainable development offers a comprehensive view of global environmental challenges.
30. Terry Tempest Williams
Terry Tempest Williams is an author and conservationist known for her writings on the American West and environmental issues. She is an advocate for public lands and a naturalist.
- Author of “Refuge”
- Advocate for public lands
- Naturalist and environmental educator
Why you should hire Terry Tempest Williams? Her evocative storytelling and deep connection to nature inspire a profound appreciation for the environment.
How to Book a Speaker the Easy Way
Booking environmental speakers through Gotham Artists makes the process simple and efficient.
We handle all the logistics, from initial inquiries to finalizing the details, ensuring a seamless experience.
Contact us today to bring the leading environmental voices to your next event and make a lasting impact.
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Article last updated on June 17th, 2024.
