Good Laughs, Clean Water
So, what did you do for Earth Day this year? You know, Earth’s favorite holiday? April 22? Oh, you forgot to get a gift? (Awkward!) Don’t worry; Waterkeeper Alliance hosted such a great ‘Clean Water’ event, Earth didn’t even notice.
By Kimberly Phipps
If there’s one thing Hollywood people know how to do, it’s throw a good party. And if there’s one cause Hollywood stars like to get behind, it’s the environment. So when Waterkeeper Alliance wanted to start a campaign to increase public awareness about the need to keep our public waterways clean, they enlisted the help of the entertainment industries funniest celebrities. The event, called “Keep it Clean,” was a star-studded evening of comedy performances at the Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles. All of the proceeds went to benefit Waterkeeper Alliance. Attendees were treated to great live stand-up and sketch comedy acts by Martin Short, Ray Romano, Sarah Silverman, Dan Ackroyd, Kevin Nealon, Tig Notaro, Robert Klein and more.
“Keep it Clean” attendees were also treated to a first look at the “Keep it Clean” video campaign, a series of digital shorts from celebrity friends and comedians set to be released this spring. Directed by actress Rachael Harris, the campaign will use disarming and fun content to raise awareness about a serious subject—the critical need to keep our waterways full of clean water. Here’s a sneak peak for VroomGirls viewers: (fyi, although the campaign is called “Keep it Clean”, some of the content is adult-ish!)
In addition to, “Keep it Clean” featured a keynote address by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., president of Waterkeeper Alliance.
“Polluters on seven continents are poisoning public waterways, endangering human health and impoverishing our communities,” said Mr. Kennedy. “We are grateful that so many entertainment industry stars have mobilized on the home front to use their gifts and talent to support the Waterkeepers who are battling on the frontlines, on every river, creek, lake and bay, to hold back the apocalyptic forces of ignorance and greed.”
Greeting celebrities as they entered the theater from the blue carpet was the VroomGirls favorite Toyota Mirai, the official vehicle of “Keep it Clean.” The Toyota Mirai and Waterkeeper Alliance make a perfect match—the Toyota Mirai uses hydrogen for fuel, and clean water is the only emission.
So what is this Waterkeeper Alliance all the celebrities are so excited about? It is a global movement uniting more than 246 Waterkeeper organizations around the world and focusing citizen advocacy on issues that affect our waterways, from pollution to climate change. Waterkeepers patrol rivers, streams and all over the globe. Part scientist, part teacher, and part law officer, every Waterkeeper combines firsthand knowledge of their local waterway with a commitment to the rights of their community and to the law. Whether they’re on the water tracking down major polluters, in a courtroom advocating for stronger enforcement of environmental laws, or in a classroom educating young people, Waterkeepers speak for the waters they defend.
For more information on the Waterkeeper Alliance, visit waterkeeper.org
