Ian Somerhalder: 'Vampire Diaries' Actor Joins Conservation International’s ‘Nature Is Speaking’ Environmental Awareness Campaign, Lends Voice To A Coral [VIDEO]

Actor Ian Somerhalder joins Conservation International's environmental awareness campaign called "Nature Is Speaking" along with other celebrities like Penélope Cruz, Julia Roberts, Harrison Ford, Edward Norton, Robert Redford and Kevin Spacey. The 35-year-old "Vampire Diaries" star takes on a new role as he lends his voice to a coral in order to speak up and raise awareness on its critical role in marine life.

In the released short film, Ian Somerhalder introduces himself as coral, the largest thing alive on planet Earth. "Do you realize that one quarter of all marine life depends on me? I am the nursery of the sea. I'm the protein factory for the world," Somerhalder's voice pointed out in the video.

The TVD star further declared that humans keep on tearing corals apart with dynamite and cyanide poisoning. The video ends with Ian Somerhalder's voice as coral firmly requesting to "stop killing me."

Ian Somerhalder revealed that being a part of the campaign is "a dream come true" for him during a Men's Journal interview in New York City where the video was launched. "I live in the water, that's my jam," the actor shared about his life growing up on the Gulf Coast in Louisiana.

According to Somerhalder, he is grateful to his family for instilling in him an early understanding of how important the environment is. The former "Lost" star's care for the environment is reflected in his Ian Somerhalder Foundation (ISF) which he founded back in 2010 after the BP oil spill.

Ian Somerhalder further admitted in the interview that there are people who are asking him why he is spending his time, energy and money on his foundation as well as the Conservation International film. According to the actor, his response to the "why" question is to do whatever he can in changing the view and conversation when it comes to conservation for the next generation.

According to an InStyle report, Ian Somerhalder thinks conscious consumerism can help in saving the coral reefs, forests and more. The actor explained that people have the ability to vote every day with a dollar.

"An empowered consumer basis only buys from corporations that are actually taking a step forward, putting their best foot forward and protecting the environment that we live in," Somerhalder stated. The actor further added that purchasing from the organizations and companies that protect the environment and build sustainability into their business practices as a corporate mandate will be literally changing the world. Check out Ian Somerhalder as a coral's voice in the "Nature Is Speaking" video below.

Credit: YouTube/ConservationDotOrg

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