Ecorazzi

This week, state regulators in California adopted a first-in-the-nation mandate to reduce electricity demand by banning power-hungry TVs. (Insert joke here about power-hungry state regulators…)

On a unanimous vote, the California Energy Commission required all new televisions up to 58 inches to be more energy efficient, beginning in 2011. Only a quarter of all TVs currently on the market meeting that standard and the requirement will get even tougher in 2013.

The commission estimates that TVs account for about 10% of a home’s electricity use and their concern is that this will rise by as much as 8% a year as consumers buy larger TVs, install more in their homes and watch them for longer periods of time.

Commissioners say energy efficiency standards are the cheapest and easiest way to save electricity.

Environmental groups supported the tougher standards and hoped they will prompt manufacturers to make new energy-efficient models for the rest of the nation. They said the rules would cut California’s power bill by $1 billion a year, avoiding the need to build a 500-megawatt power plant.

A large international coalition has urged the United States to support ocean conservation in an effort to help mitigate climate change.

The ‘Blue Climate Coalition,’ comprised of sixty-six conservation groups and interests and over 150 marine scientists and professionals, from 33 countries, sent communications addressed to President Obama and the United States Senate.

The letters request the option for marine conservation solutions to climate change to be considered in national climate change legislation and international climate change treaties, and support for marine science research that further explores this concept.

It appears that Gilles Marini, from Dancing With the Stars (and the full frontal shower scene in the Sex and the City movie, ahem), also signed the letters as a supporter of healthy oceans.

Philippe, Jr., and Alexandra Cousteau, grandchildren of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, signed-on, representing their respective conservation organizations EarthEcho International and Blue Legacy International.

A wide range of interests were represented in the coalition letters: environmental conservation, climate change education and advocacy, ecosystem restoration, the dive industry, ecotourism and sustainable travel, carbon offsetting, fishing, and scientific research.

And, for the record, in my selection of image, I took it upon myself to ensure representation for those interested in photos of shirtless men. I hope that it will also somewhat offset the image in the post below.

It’s been raining fur-free ads from PETA lately — and to cap off the week, we’ve got Irish supermodel Suzanne McCabe striking a pose.

The shot is actually a collaboration between PETA U.K. and the Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN). A long-time animal lover and vegetarian, McCabe recently signed on with ARAN to help them campaign against Canada’s annual slaughter of baby seals for their fur.

The ad debuts in the wake of the Republic of Ireland’s wonderful announcement that fur farming will be phased out in the country over the next three years.

For more info, hit PETA UK here.

“I am deeply touched and thrilled to be awarded the PETA U.K. person of the year. When I first saw their video footage on foie gras production three years ago, I felt compelled to do something to help put a stop to this cruel delicacy. I have since become a passionate campaigner against foie gras, and am most humbled that my passion has helped make a positive difference in the lives of these animals.”

– Sir Roger Moore, less than a week after finally convincing UK supermarket chain Selfridges to stop selling foie gras, on being named the PETA UK “Person of the Year”.