David Pocock explains why he’s such a passionate environmentalist.

The long-time gay rights supporter and staunch environmental activist, who was honoured with the Man of Chivalry award at the GQ Man of the Year Awards this week, is happy to talk about the issues close to his heart, but is almost uncomfortable with receiving any praise for his activism.

“I don’t do much at all really,” he told news.com.au, “all I do is maybe talk about them [the environment and marriage equality] every now and then, whereas there are people who are dedicating their entire lives to it who aren’t getting the same coverage,” he said.

“So in many ways it’s a pretty awkward position to be in because I think the issues are really important and I will talk about them but then you get a bit of a spotlight or a platform where there are other people who should really be talking about it who know more than me.”

The 27-year-old added that he likes being able to use his sporting fame as an opportunity to speak up and make a difference.

“As an athlete there are plenty of people who think that sports and politics shouldn’t mix but I kind of feel like I benefit so much from society being able to do what I do and get paid. Rightly or wrongly, kids look up to athletes and if I can be talking about things that I think are important and get young people thinking about them and talking about them then that’s important to me.”

Pocock (left) and partner Emma (second from right) during a coal mine protest in northwest NSW.Source:News Corp Australia

The backrower might have been preparing for one of his greatest sporting battles in the Rugby World Cup final last month, but at the same time he managed to throw his weight behind a fight closer to home, joining 61 prominent Australians calling for a stop to new coal mines in an open letter to world leaders.

In November 2014, he was arrested after chaining himself to mining equipment in a protest against a new coal mine at Maules Creek in New South Wales.

He’s also vowed that he and his long-term partner Emma will not marry until all couples can.

“On the environmental side, I just think it’s so important. We all live on this earth, we’ve got no planet plan B, so to look after the earth is looking after yourself,” Pocock said, adding, “I think it’s something that we need to be talking about more. Issues like climate change are looming pretty large and we don’t seem to have that much urgency.”

Moving to Australia from Zimbabwe with his family when he was 14, the sportsman said rugby was always the plan. “Once we decided to try and move to Australia, it was definitely a goal, I wanted to play rugby. I idolised guys like Stephen Larkham and George Smith and to be playing against both of them and play alongside George Smith is pretty cool.

“I love this country and the opportunity it has given my family. To run out there in the green and gold is a huge honour, and to see the support the Wallabies have had this year has been pretty humbling.”

Despite admitting he’s still mentally and physically exhausted following his team’s honourable World Cup campaign, Pocock said he’s still loving his rugby and is contracted to the Brumbies and the ARU until the end of next year.

“Not winning the World Cup, that was a huge disappointment,” he said of losing to the All Blacks in the final. “The support was huge and there’s lots to take out of it but to fall short, that’s every rugby player’s dream to lift that trophy, so that’s certainly one thing [I want to accomplish].”

For now, he’s looking forward to a well-earned holiday. Pocock and his girlfriend are heading off today to visit some family in Zimbabwe.

A bruised and battered David Pocock returns to Sydney following the Wallabies’ World Cup campaign in England.Source:AAP