As our personal and professional lives are upended by the coronavirus pandemic—and the world grinds nearly to a halt—it’s easy to forget that climate change continues apace. Just yesterday, the Trump administration rolled back a key Obama-era policy that drastically limited auto pollution. The White House's blatant disregard for the environment is a reminder that when it comes to the climate crisis, we still have an important role to play.

Perhaps no one understands that more than these entertainers-turned-activists, who are harnessing their platforms and projects to take action. The powerhouse women featured here span generations and genres, but one thing firmly unites them: their passion for our planet. For our second annual Conservation Issue, we go behind the scenes of Jane Fonda’s bold new protest movement—and the night she spent in jail. Rosario Dawson shares how growing up in a family of squatters inspires her work today. Grimes tells us how motherhood makes her want to fight harder for the planet. And Madelaine Petsch tells us how she makes going vegan easy. Different tactics, different approaches, but the same goal—securing the earth’s future.

Read More From the Issue

The Wild, Ambitious, Madcap Environmental Activism Of Extinction Rebellion In just two years, the UK’s upstart radical environmentalist group has gone global Read the story

Patagonia Is The Bernie Sanders Of Fashion The outdoor retail giant was doing sustainability before sustainability was cool. Read the story Why Some Fashion Influencers Are Going Off The Grid The influencer economy moves at lightning speed—but in the name of sustainability, some of its stars are pumping the brakes. Read the story Greta Thunberg Doesn't Want Your Pep Talks The now-17-year-old activist shares a call to action in 'Our House Is On Fire Read the story

JONES QUENTIN

THE BEST GREEN BEAUTY OF 2020

ELLE editors along with a team of experts reviewed hundreds of submissions for our thirteenth annual recognition of the best in eco-friendly and sustainable beauty.

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