Don Cheadle may be well known for his on screen work, but it’s his off screen efforts to let the world know about environmental issues that he is trumpeting ahead of the Rio+20 Sustainable Development conference.

The actor and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Goodwill Ambassador says the issue is one that effects everyone and eventually people will have to treat the world’s resources better for future generations.

Mr. Cheadle took part in a two day UN-backed conference focusing on developing a better global future through the power of storytelling and documentary film.

The “Envision 2012: Stories for a Sustainable Future” conference is a partnership between the Creative Community Outreach Initiative of the UN Department of Public Information (DPI), the Independent Filmmaker Project and the Ford Foundation.

It was founded on the shared belief that storytelling and documentary film can be powerful tools in building a better future for all people.

Julie Walker spoke with Mr. Cheadle during the conference.

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