Emily Deschanel: Acting for Animals
December 07 2009
In her fifth season as Dr. Temperance Brennan on FOX’s “Bones,” Emily Deschanel stars as a forensic anthropologist; this year, she appears on the big screen in “My Sister’s Keeper” and “Glory Road.” But Deschanel’s most consistent role is as an animal activist, working with Farm Sanctuary to end cruelty to farm animals and promote compassionate living through rescue, education and advocacy. We caught up with this committed vegan earlier this year after she hit the green carpet at Vie Eco Boutique in West Hollywood, CA, where she celebrated the launch of green makeup artist Lina Hanson’s new Eco-Beautiful book at a party presented by ARCONA oh-so-sustainable skincare.
EcoStiletto: When did you start getting involved in eco-consciousness?
Emily Deschanel: I guess I starting thinking about the environment in school. I went to Crossroads School in Santa Monica, CA for high school. Being kind to the earth was definitely instilled in us there. It really affected me when I saw the documentary called “Diet For a New America” at a school forum when I was 13. It discusses the effects of the factory farms on the environment, on our bodies, and on the animals. I became a vegetarian right away and a couple of years later I went all the way vegan.
I still think that’s the most important thing people can do for the environment. And many studies back that up. According to the U.N., the meat and dairy industries do more damage to the environment than all of transportation worldwide combined!
ES: How important do you think these kinds of changes are for you, personally?
ED: Well, I don’t know how they will affect my life. I think about how it will affect the next generation and the next generation to come. I just read that the White House predicts Polar Bears to be extinct in 75 years. I’ll probably be dead by then. But I think it’s so important to take care of this amazing place we call our home for the animals, plants, and people who come next. It really is something we do for others, not ourselves.
ES: What are your favorite green fashion labels?
ED: Ooh! I love Loyale! I wear their tops a lot, and they have great everyday pieces which I just adore. Bahar Shahpar has beautiful skirts and dresses. Other labels I like are Organic by John Patrick (another great label for everyday pieces), Linda Loudermilk (the mother of green design can be very inventive) and EcoSkin for casual dresses. For shoes, I love Beyond Skin, they have a wonderfully huge selection of shoes, I specifically love the vintage-y looking pieces. Olsen Haus is a new line I’m just loving. I’m obsessed with the holographic shoes! And then of course, Stella McCartney is the first big designer not to use leather. Her shoes are expensive but so worth it. They’re very well made. Also, Cri de Coeur makes some great boots.
ES: What are the best eco-friendly beauty finds?
ED: I’m loving the moisturizer from Verabella—it’s so rich without clogging pores. Arcona’s raspberry cleansing pads are great for blemishes, I’m also using their sun block 45 SPF.
I’m obsessed with SpaRitual nail polish in Sage and Jane Iredale foundation. Other lines I like are Jurlique, Dr. Haushka, Nvy Eco, Inka and Stript.
ES: What’s the biggest green change you’d like to make in your life—even if it’s impossible right now?
ED: I want to get solar panels for my roof and then get a plug in electric car—I lust after the Tesla but there’s no way I am paying that much for a car. If you plug in an electric car and you’re using solar panels, you are essentially powering your car with the sun. Amazing! Hopefully someday I’ll be able to afford that.
ES: What’s your favorite eco-friendly tip our readers should know about?
ED: Go vegan! Or at least eat less meat and dairy. For some reason, the eco movement has been slow and a bit wary to talk about this. But it is pretty much the best thing you could do for the environment.
Another thing I’ll say is that buying vintage or used clothes is a fun, stylish and thrifty way to be eco friendly. People sometimes don’t think of that.
ES: Who’s your eco-idol and why?
ED: That’s hard. Maybe Paul Watson, captain of the Sea Shepherd. I’ve been watching Whale Wars lately. Not everyone agrees with his tactics, even me sometimes, but he really is on the front lines protecting the creatures of the sea, which need us so badly.
ES: What’s your worst eco-sin?
ED: There are a few. Driving, maybe. I have a Prius, but it still uses and emits gases. I should take public transit more often.
