Hero of Sustainability
Annie Leonard is a longtime environmental activist. She has worked tirelessly in many roles to advance awareness and action about issues of sustainability, environment and consumerism. Annie Leonard an expert in international sustainability and environmental health issues, with more than 20 years of experience investigating factories and dumps around the world.
Annie has written about international environmental issues for a range of public interest audiences. She has appeared on radio and TV in the U.S. and other countries many times. She has testified in front of Congress, been interviewed on CNN, publicly debated a US State Department representative, and done hundreds of public presentations.
Annie is the creator of “The Story of Stuff” documentary (see below), which has been viewed more than 40 million times online. “The Story of Stuff” explores the often hidden environmental, health and social impacts of production and consumption. The Story of Stuff Project has since produced eight more films, including: The Story of Cap and Trade (2009), which addresses emissions trading. Subsequent productions include The Story of Bottled Water, The Story of Cosmetics, The Story of Electronics, The Story of Broke, The Story of Change, and The Story of Solutions.
Annie also authored the book, “The Story of Stuff”, which expands on the celebrated documentary and explores the threat of over-consumption on the environment, as well as people’s health and general well-being. Ray Anderson (another Econation Hero of Sustainability) wrote this about the book:
“Where others have documented countless challenges to the Earth and its inhabitants, Annie Leonard has accomplished the rare feat of defining the systemic nature of the problems we face and offering solutions that get to the heart of the matter. Whether you are redesigning industry and commerce or simply imagining a better world for your grandchildren’s grandchildren, Annie’s work will engage you. Read it and be inspired into action.” – Ray C. Anderson, founder and chairman, Interface, Inc.
Annie Leonard is a former executive director of Greenpeace USA (2014-2023). She began her career as an activist at Greenpeace International in 1988, where she spent eight years as a campaigner working to prevent international waste exports.
Annie’s efforts to raise awareness about international sustainability and environmental health issues has included work with Global Anti-Incinerator Alliance (GAIA), Health Care without Harm, Essential Information and Greenpeace International. She serves on the boards of GAIA, the International Forum for Globalization and the Environmental Health Fund.
In 2008, she was named one of Time magazine’s environmental heroes.
More recently, in March 2022, Annie co-founded the Jane Fonda Climate PAC with actress and climate activist Jane Fonda.