Chapter 12

Robert Redford. His well-known name brings to mind many mainstream movies. Words associated with the actor might also include director, producer, and writer.  Yet Redford doesn't typically bring to mind the word, "environmentalist," until recent years.  

At the upcoming news conference, Redford will be discussing environmental issues, which is an active part of his life. My goal is to research how he's involved with those issues before he gives his speech. This information will be needed if I'm going to report on this conference.

Robert Redford's participation begins with a long line of accomplishments, some of which include:

• lobbying for the Clean Water Clean Air act in the 1970's 
  
• holding international conferences for global warming in the 1980's
• campaigning for pro-environment Democratic politicians in the 1990's

According to the Environmental News and Commentary website, Redford is becoming irate about George W. Bush's plans for the environment.  

"The Bush administration has advocated the most destructive policies I've seen in the more than three decades I've been working on these matters," said Redford.  The movie star has done much word with solar energy in the 1970's, and pushing more efficient energy is one agenda that pushes a personal button with Redford.  He even made a short film on the solar power issue called "The Solar Film" which took him two years to develop.  

Although he is very concerned, he also blatantly stated that he is a hypocrite, because of his love for racing cars.  He thinks using SUVs are only justifiable when used in the country, not in urban areas.  

Redford's newer film, "Lions for Lambs" is also politically centered, but on a different area: the war in Iraq.  This just points out that he is obviously a very concerned citizen, and very

politically involved.  

"The fundamental question [is]: What are we going to develop for our survival and what are we going to preserve for our survival?" Redford said in an interview with PBS. 

Redford has designed a state of the art environmentally friendly "Green Building," which was one of the first pushes toward our country being conscious about "going green."