Who’s Who in Green: Hayden Panettiere

Hayden Panettiere may be best known as “the cheerleader” on NBC’s Heroes, but this hot young actress is no vapid Hollywood stereotype. Panettiere is using her celebrity to call attention to an important issue: the protection and preservation of marine life. She’s a passionate anti-whaling activist, risking injury and arrest to protest the slaughter of whales.

Panettiere, 19, joined up with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society back in 2007 in an attempt to disrupt the annual dolphin hunt in Taiji, Wakayama, Japan. The actress and five other activists paddled out into the water on surfboards, hoping to stop the killing of the dolphins. Unfortunately, they were eventually driven back to shore by the fishermen. Afterwards, Panettiere broke down in tears as she spoke of seeing baby dolphins sticking their heads out of the water.

Warning, this video is graphic:

In 2007, Panettiere was awarded with the “Compassion in Action Award” by PETA for her efforts.

The vegetarian actress is also spokesperson for the Save the Whales Again campaign. Check out this PSA:

Panettiere told People Magazine,

“The dolphins and whales in our ocean are a part of a larger eco-system that prevents the killing off of other marine life. By destroying these animals and not allowing our future generations to enjoy their beauty, we are causing our own selves damage. I always felt the need to speak on behalf of these helpless creatures who can not defend themselves.”

“Because I am in the public eye I feel the need to be a voice of worthy and important causes whose efforts impact the lives of every person on Earth. These animals are being brutally and unnecessarily slaughtered – and who are we to say to they have less of a right to exist than we do.”

Hayden Panettiere’s Green Score: 21,304

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