Annie Leonard

Annie Leonard is the former Executive Director of Greenpeace USA, an independent environmental organization which uses research, creative communication, non violent direct action and people-power to advance environmental solutions. Prior to this role, she created The Story of Stuff, a hit 20-minute web film and book that take viewers on an eye-opening tour of the often hidden environmental and social costs of our consumer driven culture. The Story of Stuff film has generated over 40 million views in more than 200 countries and territories, making it one of the most watched online environmental-themed films to date and sparking a much needed conversation about patterns of consumption today. Annie has worked on environmental issues, with a focus on waste, pollution and consumerism for 3 decades and is currently partnering with Jane Fonda on their Fire Drill Fridays project to inspire more people to join climate activism. Annie has a Bachelor's in Environmental Science from Barnard College, Columbia University and a Masters in City and Regional Planning from Cornell. Annie was recognized as a Time Magazine Hero of the Environment in 2008 and Fast Company's most 100 Creative People in 2010. She has given hundreds of public talks, testified in front of Congress, and has appeared on widespread media including the Colbert Report, CNN, and PBS Frontline.

Sub-specialities:
Activism, including the right to protest, use of civil disobedience, environmental movements and pollitical and personal impacts of engaging in activism.
Democracy, including threats to democracy and why a thriving democracy is needed for a thriving environment and society
Consumerism and its toll on the planet and our communities
Waste, recycling, plastics, specifically why plastics recycling is a myth that is delaying real solutions.
Climate, especially the need to reduce fossil fuels.
Equity and Justice within the environmental movement: the need for the environmental movement to increase racial, gender and class diversity and efforts to do so; why social justice must be core to environmental progress.