Robert Downey Jr.'s new project seeks to help save the planet through food
Robert Downey Jr. discussed his new book "Cool Food," a project in which he teamed up with author and climate advocate Thomas Kostigen to shed light on climate issues and provide guidance on how one could help save the planet through food.
Speaking to "Good Morning America" in a sit down interview alongside Kostigen that aired on Monday, the award-winning actor recalled his initial urge to produce the project.
"In 2019, I felt overwhelmed by, for lack of a better word, climate crisis," he shared. "And it really felt like such a kind of depressing slog to try to address such a huge thing."
Noting that he has been a fan of Kostigen for a long time, he thought it was a good idea to help contribute his part in solving the issue by creating something as simple as a book.
"You can just flip open and go, 'Hey, this is great. Almonds, pretty good. Cashews, better. Mangoes are great,'" he explained. "And then when I'm at the supermarket or when I'm making choices on set, or just grabbing a snack for the kids, I'm just kind of inserting this kinda data into our meal plans."
"The choices you make with your meals can really affect the longevity of our planet," he affirmed.
Further explaining the concept, Kostigen said, "there's three things you need to survive."
"You need water, air, and food," he said. "Only one of those things has a variety that you can make a choice on, and that's food. So why not make it better for the planet?"
"For the average person, just being able to go to the grocery store and pick something up that is good for themselves, good for the planet, it's empowering," he added.
Although "Cool Food" is not a cookbook, it does include some recipes which the actor said were inspired by his real life experiences.
"Like my wife, Susan, is a vegan. So before that time, we used to love calamari," he shared. "So, we came up with hearts of calipalmy because my kids don't really know the difference," followed by a laugh.
"But they're eating climate-friendly food that also works for mom," he continued. "So, you can sneak things in that actually are your preference, and your kids or your partner's or whatever. And it's just fun."
Besides the book, the actor’s life recently has also been occupied with celebrating the success of his 2023 movie "Oppenheimer."
Earlier this month, Downey Jr. took home the trophies for best supporting actor at the 81st Golden Globe Awards and Critics Choice Awards for his role in the Christopher Nolan-directed film.
The actor told "GMA" the experience surrounding the film "has been amazing."
"But it has really kinda brought me back to first principles, which is a, just for me, being able to spend a part of a day where I'm not in a tuxedo congratulating myself is very welcome," he said with a laugh. "It's good for my humility."
Chiming in on the topic, Kostigen gushed over the actor, saying, "I think he's being really humble because his creativity is being shown and so well deserved, and now being celebrated. And the same thing with the book."
Reflecting on his recent accomplishments, he said, "I've been doing this for a long time."
"I think that there's something about this year where I'm just feeling a lot of kinda joy," he continued. "And this [book] just gives me, it's not a welcome distraction. It's actually something that I'm happy all this kinda energy is around us right now because it's just synergistic, you know?"
"Cool Food' is available to shop in the link below.
