As the Incredible Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Mark Ruffalo creates destruction wherever he turns, but in real-life, the Oscar-nominated actor is working tirelessly to preserve the planet.
Ruffalo is one of many celebrities joining the Native American-led protest against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline in Standing Rock, North Dakota. For his part, Ruffalo donated mobile solar panels to provide clean power to the encampment.
“This pipeline is a black snake that traverses four states and 200 waterways with fracked Bakken oil,” Ruffalo said. “We know from experience that pipelines leak, explode, pollute and poison land and water. But it doesn’t have to be that way.”
Ruffalo is the co-founder of The Solutions Project, an organization which aspires to accelerate the transition to 100% clean and renewable energy use in the United States.
“Around the world, more than 80 percent of the forests and lands with protected waterways and rich biodiversity are held by indigenous tribes. This is no coincidence,” Ruffalo said.
“As so many of us suffer from polluted water, air and land in our rural and urban communities, the water defenders at Standing Rock are showing us another way,” he added.
Ruffalo was joined by Rev. Jesse Jackson and Wahleah Johns, founder of Native Renewables, which promotes low-cost energy solutions for Native American families and communities throughout the U.S.
“Water is life,” Johns said. “By leading a transition to energy that is powered by the sun, the wind and water, we ensure a better future for all of our people and for future generations.”
The construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) – also referred to as the Bakken pipeline – is a $3.8 billion-project that will funnel more than 500,000 barrels of crude per day from the North Dakota Bakken region through South Dakota and Iowa into Illinois.
Members of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe argue the pipeline will pollute drinking water, threaten the health of their land, and disturb sacred Native American sites.
Celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Affleck and his Justice League co-stars, and Pharrell Williams have pledged their support for the protestors. Shailene Woodley was arrested for taking part in the demonstrations, which have intensified with local law-enforcement.
Photo Credit: Instagram