Anthony Cortese (born January 26, 1947) is an American activist who has been active in academic and industrial support of environmental awareness.

He was appointed director of the Air Quality Program for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection from 1976 to 1978.

The 1970s were a time of awakening for environmental protection and during his tenure the first acid rain regulations were developed, serving as a model for New England and eastern Canada.

[1] In 1993, Cortese, Senator John Kerry, and Teresa Heinz established Second Nature, a non-profit organization focused on making environmental sustainability a foundation of all learning and practice, i.e. teaching a balance between production and consumption in a way that preserves the delicate balance of nature.

He served as a trustee of Tufts University and was a founding member of the board of directors of The Natural Step US and of the Environmental Business Council of New England.