At this year’s Austrian World Summit, Project Basecamp co-founder Rainn Wilson joined Arnold Schwarzenegger for a conversation that brought science, pop culture, and personal responsibility together on one stage. The goal: reach people who aren’t yet part of the climate conversation and invite them in.

‘Performing Hope for the Glaciers’ 23 January 2025, Davos Switzerland

The actor, who co-founded climate change organization Project Basecamp, is taking part in the Environmental Media Association’s Impact Summit on June 4. “I had literally been thinking to myself, Rainn, you need to get off your ass and do something about climate change. If this is really important to you, you need to do more than send out an occasional angry tweet, because, let’s face it, that’s what most people in Hollywood do.” And so began Rainn Wilson‘s foray into environmental activism six years ago, when he met and teamed with Professor Gail Whiteman for their Project Basecamp initiative, which combines science and culture — approaching climate change via the lenses of food, entertainment, sports, fashion and music.

Actor Rainn Wilson (The Office) made headlines last year when he changed his Twitter name to “Rainnfall Heat Wave Extreme Winter Wilson” to draw attention to climate change. Along with social science expert Professor Gail Whiteman and writer/producer Chuck Tatham, Wilson co-founded Project Basecamp, with the goal of using pop culture as a launchpad to educate the public on the science of climate change. On Monday, Project Basecamp kicked off the first day of Climate Week in New York City, with Whiteman and Tatham handing out free scoops of organic Blue Marble ice cream to draw attention to the climate crisis.