Updated: 3:40 p.m.

When actor Pierce Brosnan came to a Capitol Hill reception on Tuesday evening to lobby for whale conservation, there really was only one question worth asking: How would James Bond save the whales?

[IMGCAP(1)]But the Irish-born actor best known for playing 007 didn’t know the answer. “You’d have to ask Daniel Craig,— he joked of the current Bond.

While Brosnan’s days playing the famed British spy are over, the longtime environmental advocate isn’t giving up on saving the planet.

Brosnan, his wife, Keely, and officials from the International Fund for Animal Welfare went to the White House on Tuesday to push whale conservation legislation, and they planned to hit Capitol Hill on Wednesday to do the same.

And Tuesday evening, Brosnan joined “Hardball— host Chris Matthews and fellow actor/whale advocate Goran Visnjic (best known for playing Dr. Luka Kovac on “ER—) at an IFAW-sponsored reception to push for the International Whale Conservation and Protection Act, which would address threats to whales such as commercial whaling, ship strikes and climate change.

Looking very James Bond-esque in a sleek velvet sport jacket, Brosnan gave a passionate, theatrical speech about how the “interconnectedness of life— mandates that humans work to protect the whales.

“If you cannot save the oceans, you cannot save humanity,— he said, also noting that “there is no cause I feel more passionately about.—

Brosnan is looking forward to meeting with Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) today — “I’d like to think she’s a supporter,— he said — but he also admitted that he gets more nervous visiting politicians than appearing on stage or in film.

“Somehow when you have to show yourself in the hallowed halls, it really does test your mettle,— he said.

Nevertheless, Brosnan certainly was a popular guest at the reception, with a constant crowd surrounding him and taking photos. And that was something noted at a news conference following the reception by Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-Mass.), who co-sponsored the legislation with Del. Eni Faleomavaega (D- American Samoa).

“I want to know why mostly female reporters are here,— Delahunt joked. “Is it because of me?—

Can’t get enough HOH? Get a midday dose of fun and gossip with HOH’s One-Minute Recess, delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here — because everyone deserves more recess.