ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

July 3rd 2009

Sarah Palin Resigns As Governor, Wolves Everywhere Celebrate

You betcha!

Filed under: animals, politics — Michael Andre d'Estries @ 4:29 pm

Sarah Palin made a surprising announcement today that she is resigning as Governor of the state of Alaska. According to the Huffington Post, Palin made a brief statement saying that she will not run for re-election and that her resignation will be effective in a couple of weeks. In perfect form, she refused to answer any questions.

What we’re not certain of (as well as everyone else in the media) is why Palin is ending her term as Governor early instead of waiting until 2010. Speculation is now rampant that she will seek the Republican party presidential nomination for 2012 — granted, if she can’t handle being Governor, what kind of chance does she stand as a President? Good luck with attempting to convince us otherwise.

Ever the nightmare for wildlife conservation in Alaska, the resignation of Palin raises hopes that the state will do away with cruel campaigns such as shooting wolves from airplanes. One thing’s for certain: this unfortunately will not be the last we hear of her. But go ahead and celebrate anyways — it’s a good day for wildlife in Alaska.

July 2nd 2009

Sarah McLachlan Speaks Out Against Seal Slaughter

Rocks the PETA shirt.

Filed under: animals — Michael Andre d'Estries @ 9:49 am

Sarah McLachlan appeared on Canadian television yesterday sporting a PETA anti-seal hunt shirt and expressing her anger over the practice.

The 41-year-old singer was in Ottawa performing a concert in celebration of Canada Day when CTV News caught up with her for a quick interview. “The commercial sealing industry in Canada is perverse and sick,” she told the reporter.” They club these seals as early as 12 days old, and half the time they hook them and they drag them across the ice. … It’s archaic, and it’s horrible, and I want it to stop.”

Check out the rest of the great interview here.

via PETA blog

June 30th 2009

Halle Berry Takes Daughter To Sea World — We Say BOOOOO!

Filed under: animals, not green — Michael Parrish DuDell @ 12:28 pm

Oh, Halle — how could you?

Academy Award winning actress Halle Berry was spotted with her daughter Nahla Aubrey at Sea World on Sunday afternoon.

As many already know, these marine parks are essentially prison for animals and have some pretty shady track records. 

Just last year a dolphin named Sharky (Is that like a cat named Doggy?) collided with another dolphin during a live  performance  at Sea World and died shortly afterwards.

Florida’s Sun-Sentinel recently examined 30 years of federal documents pertaining to marine animals and found that nearly 4,000 sea lions, seals, dolphins, and whales have died in captivity, and of the 2,400 cases in which a cause of death was listed, one in five animals died “of uniquely human hazards or seemingly avoidable causes.”

What do you think about Sea World and other marine parks? Would you take your children? Chime in and share your thoughts!

[Editor note: Perhaps I should add that this picture has been photoshopped (poorly) by yours truly.]

June 29th 2009

My Morning Jacket Dedicates George Harrison Tribute To Woodstock FAS!

Filed under: animals, campaigns, music — Michael Parrish DuDell @ 12:10 pm

Music AND animal sanctuary lovin’? Where do I sign up??!!

Ecorazzi recently got word that Jim James, lead singer of the band “My Morning Jacket,” will donate a portion of the proceeds from his upcoming limited edition EP to Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary! The EP is a collection of George Harrison songs covered by Jim James (under the alias “Yim Yames”) that was recorded back in 2001.

A proud vegetarian, Jim wanted to honor both Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary and Harrison. About the decision, James said:

“I know this is something that George [Harrison] really believed in. George was all about treating all creatures equally and eating responsibly.” 

You can download a free preview song on his website and a full digital download and the CD will come later in July.

To learn more about this rad campaign, visit WoodstockFAS.org!!

June 29th 2009

Stella McCartney Says Meatless Mondays Won’t Make You A Hemp Wearing Pot Smoker

So you'll just have to try harder to achieve that look.

Filed under: animals, campaigns, food & drink — Michael Andre d'Estries @ 9:49 am

“It’s ok to just give up meat for one day, it doesn’t make you a vegetarian if you hate vegetarians, it doesn’t make you a cranky, hemp wearing pot smoker. It’s alright, it’s allowed - it doesn’t make you a kind of the person you don’t want to be. It just means you are doing something positive.”

“If everyone gave it up on a Monday it would be more effective than everyone stopping driving their car on a Monday. We are not perfect. It’s so important to get that across because it’s like oh, those bloody Maccas, talking again about not killing cows! It is boring. But the reality is, I like to think I am trying to do my little bit. I will turn off a light when I leave a room; I will turn off a socket if I don’t want to be using the socket. And those are tiny little things.”

– Stella McCartney speaking with the UK Telegraph on her family’s new campaign to get people to go meat-free one day a week.

UK Telegraph via Vegetarian Star

June 25th 2009

Confirmed: Earthrace Superboat Joining Sea Shepherd Fleet

78 foot trimaran wave piercer to intercept and block harpoons.

Filed under: animals, campaigns — Michael Andre d'Estries @ 8:55 pm

When we first heard the rumors that Sea Shepherd might acquire add the sleek, biodiesel-fueled powerboat called Earthrace to their efforts — we wanted to believe. But seriously, would it be possible? Could an anti-whaling organization land something out of a James Bond movie to further their cause?

Yes.

Outside the International Whaling Commission meeting in Portugal, Sea Shepherd announced plans for their sixth campaign against Japanese commercial whaling in the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary - Operation Waltzing Matilda. They also revealed the incredible news that the Earthrace will be joining the SS Steve Irwin in this new operation. And yes, it will change from its current silver to the Sea Shepherd’s striking black.

Read the rest of this entry »

June 24th 2009

The Green Quote: Bradley Cooper Loves His Rescue Dogs

Filed under: animals — Michael Andre d'Estries @ 4:14 pm

“I have two beautiful dogs … I cherish. Samson is a 14-year-old German short hair pointer and Charlotte is a 6 or 7 year-old Chow Retriever mix. They are both rescue dogs and they are the best … I’m sort of a hybrid of both my dogs. Samson is stoic and makes me earn it and Charlotte loves me undyingly. They’re my kids.”

– Actor Bradley Cooper, star of the new comedy The Hangover, in a new interview with People.com.

June 24th 2009

Vegan “Bones” Star Emily Deschanel Asks Waxman To Help Chimps

Filed under: animals — Michael Parrish DuDell @ 11:22 am

Bones star and one of Ecorazzi’s Top 5 Vegans  of 2009 Emily Deschanel is speaking out on behalf of chimps. 

Deschanel recently wrote a letter to California congressman Rep. Henry Waxman urging him to cosponsor the Town-Reichart Great Ape Protection Act, which was introduced in a House health subcommittee that is part of the Waxman-chaired Committee on Energy and Commerce.

This legislation would phase out “invasive scientific research” on chimpanzees and also release federally owned apes to chimpanzee sanctuaries. 

In the letter, Emily writes:

“This legislation would allow about 500 chimpanzees to live their remaining years in sanctuaries. They could form bonds with other chimpanzees, bask in the sunlight, and feel the grass and the earth. That’s the least we can do for chimpanzees, our species’ closest living relatives.”

Could this chick be any cooler? I ask you that! I ASK YOU THAT!!!

To read Em’s full letter to Rep. Henry Waxman, visit USNews.com!

June 23rd 2009

Sea Shepherd Captain Paul Watson Arrested In Portugal

Released after police discover 30-year-old warrant has expired

Filed under: animals, campaigns — Michael Andre d'Estries @ 11:31 am

Sea Shepherd Captain Paul Watson received an unexpected surprise upon visiting Portugal this week for the International Whaling Commission (IWC) Conference: he was arrested.

According to news agencies, a 30-year-old warrant had been issued against Paul Watson for the 1980 ramming by Sea Shepherd of the pirate whaling ship the Sierra. The Australian director of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Jeff Hansen, told ABC News that Mr. Watson was released after four hours of questioning. “Paul had lengthy discussions with the police in northern Portugal and they determined that the warrant had actually expired in 2008 so there was no valid reason for them to hold him,” he said.

Read the rest of this entry »

June 23rd 2009

The Green Quote: Jeremy Piven Won’t Eat Seafood — Doesn’t Blame The Fish

Filed under: animals, food & drink — Michael Parrish DuDell @ 9:48 am

“I haven’t had a piece of fish since the doctor told me to lower my blood mercury level.”

“By the way, for the record, it’s the not the fish’s fault,” Piven says. “It’s a man-made problem. It’s all the mercury being dumped. Women shouldn’t eat tuna, especially when you’re pregnant.”

- Jeremy Piven announcing to People.com that he’s been fish-free for 10 months. Are you prego and still eating the stuff? Yikes! Visit AmericanPregnancy.org and find out why you should drop the habit!