Culture Art & Media The 12 Most Thought-Provoking Eco-Themed Commercials From the Past Decade By Matt Hickman Writer Emerson College The New School Matt Hickman is an associate editor at The Architect’s Newspaper. His writing has been featured in Curbed, Apartment Therapy, URBAN-X, and more. our editorial process Matt Hickman Updated November 17, 2020 Snapshot from YouTube. Share Twitter Pinterest Email Culture History Travel Sustainable Fashion Art & Media Holidays Community When thinking of memorable commercials with environmental messages we think back — way, way back to 1971 when Keep America Beautiful’s iconic “Crying Indian” PSA ushered litter prevention into America’s collective consciousness. Since then, particularly over the latter half of the last decade, it’s become difficult to turn on the television without catching a commercial or public service announcement that doesn’t revolve around wildlife conservation, energy and fuel efficiency, climate change, pollution and other hot-button eco-issues. Humorous, controversial and always thought-provoking (and frequently featuring polar bears in peril), here are a dozen of our favorite environmental commercials and public service announcements from the past decade. Has there been a green-themed TV ad from the last years that’s resonated with you? GE Ecoimagination – “Dancing Elephant” BBDO (2005) Environmental Defense – “Train” Ogilvy & Mather (2006) WWF Canada – “Storms” DraftFCB Canada (2006) WWF Finland – “Homeless Polar Bear” Euro RSCG Helsinki (2007) IBM Green – “Stop Talking: Start Doing” Ogilvy & Mather (2008) Environmental Defense Fund – “Polar Bears” Oglivy (2008) Planet Green – “Beach” Amalgamated (2008) Altshuler-Shaham – “A Hairy Situation” TBWA Digital (2008) SOS Mata Atlantica – “Pee in the Shower” F/Nazca Saatchi & Saatchi Brazil (2009) 2010 Toyota Prius – “Harmony” Saatchi and Saatchi (2009) Nissan Leaf – “Polar Bear” TBWA/Chiat/Day (2010) Audi A3 TDI – “Green Police” Venables Bell & Partners (2010)