Olivia Newton-John remembered for her work with Planet Ark, saving trees and animals
Environmental causes have lost a fierce crusader with the passing of Olivia Newton-John. Here’s how the star fought to save the planet.
Environment
Don't miss out on the headlines from Environment. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Environmental causes have lost a fierce crusader with the passing of Olivia Newton-John.
The beloved performer was a tireless advocate for wilderness areas and animal rights throughout her career.
She was named the first Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Environment Program in 1990, and with Planet Ark she established National Tree Day in 1996.
She was also a founder and spokesperson for the global One Tree Per Child campaign, an initiative which aims to get every child planting at least one tree during their time at primary school.
Newton-John planted more than her fair share: she helped established an estimated 10,000 trees on her northern NSW property to provide a wildlife corridor for native animals.
Planet Ark’s founder Jon Dee posted a heartfelt tribute to the singer on Twitter on Tuesday.
“For the last 30 years I’ve been friends with Olivia Newton-John. Together we started National Tree Day and One Tree Per Child. In my last letter to her, I told her of the great things she’d done for the environment and wildlife.”
He then posted the reply Newton-John sent him: “Thank you Jon. I am so very proud of what we have achieved.”
“I’ll miss her so much,” Mr Dee wrote.
Other environmental advocates shared their tributes on social media.
Bindi Irwin posted a picture of herself with the singer, with the simple message: “One of the kindest and most wonderful souls the world has ever known”.
Federal Environment minister Tanya Plibersek said Newton-John had “built a legacy that will live on”.
“Joyful, compassionate and generous – a class act. What a loss,” Ms Plibersek wrote.
Planet Ark released a statement paying respect to Newton-John’s passionate advocacy.
“Her work helping us bring National Tree Day to life back in 1996 has resulted in millions of Australians connecting with their local environment and millions of native trees in the soil. We will be forever grateful for the lasting impact of that work. Rest assured National Tree Day will continue to inspire the next generations of Australians to respect, preserve and protect our native environment,” the statement read.
Newton-John’s love for the natural world was also apparent in her music, most notably in her 1994 album Gaia: One Woman’s Journey, which interwove themes of conservation and personal resilience in the wake of her first cancer diagnosis.
Shortly after that album’s release, she presented the TV series Human Nature, which explored the plight of animals around the world, from circus bears in Greece to sharks on the Great Barrier Reef.
Newton-John spoke often about her love for animals, whether they be domesticated or native, and assisted many animal welfare charities.
Her advocacy continued right up until the end, helping campaign for the release of bears held in captivity in Asia.
“Animals have been one of the great delights of my life since I was a little girl. I’m drawn to them, sometimes more than I’m actually drawn to people,” she wrote in her 2018 memoir Don’t Stop Believin’.
Wilderness areas touched her just as deeply.
Wondering among trees was “almost a spiritual experience” akin to “nature’s church,” she wrote.
“I strongly encourage anyone to spend a few hours getting lost in the trees. A sense of tranquillity and peace will come over you, providing a welcome relief from your daily stresses. The sad part is that tree logging is still a flourishing industry in Australia.”
Newton-John was recognised many times for championing environmental causes.
In 1999 she received a Humanitarian Award from the Red Cross for her breast cancer and environmental charity work, and in 2000 the Rainforest Alliance recognised her for helping preserve the world’s rainforests.
More Coverage
Originally published as Olivia Newton-John remembered for her work with Planet Ark, saving trees and animals
‘Marketing spin’: Energy giant drops offset product
A home energy product used by about 400,000 Australian households - that has now been dropped - will be the focus of a landmark “greenwashing” court case over claims it helps offset emissions.
‘Complete failure’: Photos show reality of carbon offset market
Some of Australia’s biggest corporations are using your money to pay for forest regrowth schemes to offset greenhouse gases - but satellite photos show many of these projects are not working.