ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

April 16th 2008

The Olympic Torch: Burning Brighter Than You Might Think

Filed under: events, not green, sports, transport — parrish @ 1:50 pm

Summer’s on its way and with it comes crappy re-runs, crappy reality television and the (maybe crappy, maybe not) 2008 Summer Olympics. The event hasn’t even begun and already it’s covered in gooey, international controversy. Earlier this month, Ecorazzi told you that Richard Gere wanted the USA to boycott the Olympics over all the free Tibet drama. But cultural conflicts aside, should environmentalists be getting fiery (you’ll get that joke in like 5 seconds) over the 2008 Beijing Olympics?

The Olympic torch and its worldly travels have long been an international tradition, dating back to ancient Greek times and re-entering popularity in 1928. This year it’s estimated that the Olympic torches trip — which covers 50,000 miles in 20 countries — will break historic records of global disaster by demanding a whopping 270,000 gallons of jet fuel. Wait…WHAT?? Yes, THIS torch has its own private plane.

Now consider this: with every gallon of jet fuel burned, 23.88 pounds of CO₂ is forced into the air. Therefore, the air travel alone will fill the atmosphere with 6,447,600 pounds of CO₂. According to the United Nations, the average American leaves an annual carbon footprint of 42,000 to 44,000 pounds of CO₂ emissions. This means the Olympic torch (not even a person here, people, a torch) will generate as much greenhouse gas as 153 Americans do in a whole year.

Now that’s just airfare, we won’t even talk about the fact the torch is being fueled by propane, thus adding another 12.669 pounds of CO₂ per gallon burned.

Listen, I get it - tradition. It’s a big deal right? Well how much are we willing to pay to for a little ancient Greek tradition. I like the torch, I’d even say the torch is pretty, but I kinda think fresh air and tolerable weather is a little prettier. Anyone else here with me?

April 14th 2008

Blythe Danner Gets Trashy In New York City

Filed under: campaigns, events, events: nyc, green and famous, thegreenpicture, transport — parrish @ 10:42 am

Last week Blythe Danner spent a little face time in New York City’s Union Square helping to promote Energy Vision - a national non-profit organization that studies and promotes the benefits of clean, renewable petroleum-free transportation fuels - as they unveiled two new natural gas garbage trucks.

Blythe said, “It is amazing that, for reducing air pollution, taking one old diesel truck off the streets is like removing 325 cars! Every child exposed to the new natural gas trucks will be a healthier child, and, by our becoming less oil dependent, every child will have a better chance for a secure future.”

And how much of a difference would replacing “traditional” garbage trucks for natural gas ones make? A report released by Energy Vision estimated that if half of the diesel collection and recycling trucks operating in New York City were traded in for natural gas models “more than 16,000 tons of pollutants would be eliminated a year, while reliance on a clean domestic fuel would eliminate the need for 23 million gallons a year of petroleum-based diesel fuel, which is getting more expensive by the day and relies on imported oil.”

Wow! I had no idea! Big thanks to Blythe Danner for lending her fame to such an important cause. Don’t forget to visit the Energy Vision website and read the entire “Fueling a Greener Future” report.

photo credit: Brad Barket/Getty Images

April 2nd 2008

Razzi Snap: Clooney Bought Two Of Brad Pitt’s Pink Houses

Filed under: animals, buildings and construction, cars-houses, transport — michael @ 5:22 pm

It’s no surprise that George Clooney is generous with his cash, but we were excited to learn that he’s taken part in raising some dough for Brad Pitt’s campaign to help rebuild New Orleans. Apparently, Clooney donated $300,000 — or the equivalent of two eco-friendly, sustainable homes. Currently, the Make It Right Foundation has raised enough for 81 out of the 150 homes needed. To help out, get your wallet ready and jump here. Oh, and those recycled pink bags are now back in stock. [via the times online]

Filmmaker Michael Bergmann has joined Leonardo DiCaprio in owning a Vectrix electric motorbike. Bergmann is excited that he no longer contributes to congestion or pollution — and can quickly zip around the streets of New York City. His only lament is the price ($11K), but he figures ““it will pay for itself in taxis not taken in two years.” [via Reuters]

Rock group Kasabian has joined Morrissey, Pamela Anderson, and a bunch of other groups and celebs in teaming up with PETA to help end Canada’s annual cull of 275,000 baby harp seals. Singer Tom Meighan said: “It’s just common sense. I don’t think it’s OK to smash a baby seal’s skull. I’d never wear fur - it’s such an ugly thing to do.” [via gigwise]

April 1st 2008

James Bond To Kick Off Next Film Driving A Fuel-Efficient Ford

No joke!

Filed under: cars-houses, transport — michael @ 3:09 pm

If you thought James Bond, played by actor Daniel Craig, was leaving behind the days of driving small, fuel-efficient vehicles (as seen in the last Bond film), think again. In the opening chase sequence of the next film titled Quantum of Solace, Bond takes off in an entry-level three-door hatchback called the Ford Ka. Of course, nevermind the fact that Ford paid about € 22.5 million to be featured in Bond’s movies — or that the fuel-hungry Aston Martin shows up later. We’re just happy to be seeing something high on the MPG side of things making a cameo — and saving the world. From the article,

“In new movie The Quantum Of Solace, the secret agent - who’s usually seen behind the wheel of an Aston Martin - drives a dinky £8,000 Ford Ka. ‘When the Ka arrived on set everyone thought it was a wind-up,’ a source tells the News Of The World. ‘Bond is famous for his high-powered flash motors. It’s part of the man’s make-up, but this isn’t sexy. Daniel knew he was getting a ribbing from the crew. The good news is that James will be back in an Aston later in this film.’”

via autobloggreen

March 31st 2008

Airline Places Advertisement Seeking Actors To Fill Seats

Filed under: cars-houses, transport, travel — michael @ 9:34 am

Here’s some odd news to kick off your Monday. Apparently, an airline in the UK called Flybe advertised for actors to masquerade as passengers to avoid a more than $500,000 penalty fine for having too many empty seats. Wow. They even put on extra flights, offered free trips and put its own staff on stand-by to fly in the event that seats were not filled. Why the desperation? From the article,

“The terms of the deal stated Norwich Airport would charge Flybe £280,000 if it did not fly 15,000 passengers on the Norwich to Dublin route during 2007-2008. The airline was 172 passengers short by the deadline, prompting the unusual move to commandeer actors.”

It’s rather hilarious that they advertised for actors — I mean, really, what does it take to come across as a passenger on an airline? Can you imagine putting that down on your resume? “Character, Seat2B, Norwich to Dublin, Flybe Airlines”.

And yes, the environmental impact of flying needlessly did bring the matter to the attention of various green groups. Said Airport director, Richard Jenner, ‘It doesn’t seem to be in the spirit of the agreement. But more than anything our concerns are about the unnecessary impact on the environment. We try here to justify the impact we have on the environment. One of the reasons we like to have Flybe here is that they say they are also concerned about the environment.”

As a result, Flybe does plan to offset the additional carbon emissions. The ridicule, however, will take a bit longer to deflect.

via marie claire

March 12th 2008

Celebs Promoting “Green” Qualities of $2 Million Natalia Luxury Vehicle

Filed under: cars-houses, transport — michael @ 3:43 pm

And you thought the $98,000 Telsa Roadster was a bit out of budget. For the price of the Natalia SLS 2, you could open up your own Tesla dealership.

Two years since it was first announced, the car deemed “the world’s most luxurious, expensive and technologically advanced production automobile” is coming together for an expected 2009 release. Some familiar voices are also popping up in press releases exalting the “green” features of the vehicle and heralding the Natalia as the kick-start America needs to stay competitive in the auto industry.

So for $2 million this car must have some serious green cred, right? Well, yes and no. For one thing, this thing is still completely dependent on fuel. Sure, it features a flex-engine capable of using either ethanol, E-85, or gasoline — but it’s a V16 displacing a whopping 14 liters and pushing an outrageous 1,200 horsepower. The press release says the Natalia will offer “excellent gas mileage” by employing variable-cylinder technology and a “cutting edge” fuel delivery system, but I’m not holding my breath. In a time when vehicles like the Tesla Roadster can go 250 miles on a charge with zero emissions — touting the cutting-edge green of a $2 million car that uses gasoline seems to fall a bit flat. Still, celebrities like Willie Nelson and Larry Hagman are offering nothing but praise. From the release,

“I’m excited to see creative car producers exploring fuel sources that can be harvested from Middle America instead of the Middle East,” says country music legend and alternative energy advocate, Willie Nelson. “America can lead the way with renewable and sustainable energy like we once did with oil and gas. This is the light at the end of the tunnel and it’s not a freight train!”

“DiMora reminds me of a young Lee Iacocca,” says actor, auto enthusiast, and green energy proponent Larry Hagman, “…conjuring a forgotten time when a name carried meaning and a craftsman’s fingerprints were scattered across every intricacy that goes into making an engine flawlessly hum.”

Other famous names potentially interested in owning their own Natalia include Adrien Brody, Kathy Ireland, and Jay Leno.

I don’t know, even if I was crazy wealthy, I can’t imagine ever throwing $2 million at a car; much less something that was still dependent on oil. What do you think?

March 12th 2008

Paris Hilton Is “The First One” To Own A Hybrid

Filed under: thegreenpicture, transport — parrish @ 11:50 am

Did you know that Paris Hilton has the first hybrid EVER?!!! Because we sure didn’t.

Recently, when the paparazzi asked Hilton about her new hybrid Yukon SUV, Paris said that “everyone” should buy a hybrid because they’re “awesome!” Clearly, the hotel heiress is extremely educated on the subject of sustainability and thus wildly well-spoken, but then — between her two and three syllable quips — Paris declared that she had “the first one” .

Hold up!

Maybe what Mrs. Hilton meant was that she got the dealership’s first Yukon. Or maybe she meant that she was the first one in her “social group” to get a hybrid. Or possibly she was bragging that out of her and her twenty thousand dogs, she was the first to drive green. But surely…SURELY she couldn’t have meant that she was the first hybrid owner EVER! Or could she have? Watch the video below and judge for yourself. Ah there’s nothing like Paris in springtime.

[UPDATE] According to ABG, General Motors has no idea what Paris is talking about either.

via: autobloggreen.com

March 7th 2008

Sabretooth Opts For Scooter Transportation

Filed under: cars-houses, transport — michael @ 1:57 pm

Liev Schreiber, who plays Sabretooth in the highly-anticipated Wolverine movie (which is also a green film currently shooting in New Zealand) cruised around Sydney, Australia yesterday on his scooter. With rising gas prices, scooters are a great way to save some cash as most models get between 65-75mpg. Jump over to JustJared for more pics.

March 7th 2008

The Green Picture: Well, At Least He Drives A Prius

Filed under: cars-houses, thegreenpicture, transport — michael @ 12:49 pm

A hilarious collection of mock-Prius ads have been making the rounds online and we’re smitten. Apparently, they’re the work of an art director and photographer attempting to publicize themselves. Nice job. The dicey photos feature some compromising moments followed by the witty tagline, “Well, At Least He/She Drives A Prius”. More of the ads after the fold.

Read the rest of this entry »

March 4th 2008

Jordan Buys A Jet And Joins The Mile High Club

Filed under: not green, transport, travel — parrish @ 9:47 am

It’s been reported that Jordan (real name: Katie Price) is going through the final steps to purchase her very own Hawker 900 plane for roughly $8.9 million dollars. Yowzers! The British model/business woman plans to paint the plane completely pink and bling it out with matching pink upholstery. Oh yeah, and she plans on learning to pilot it as well!

Her decision to buy the sky came shortly after totaling up her family’s travel plans and then proceeding to choke on her tea (I just assume the Brits are constantly drinking tea)! The bill for herself, her husband, their three children and the kids’ nannies came to a whopping $297,000 dollars a year. That’s a lot of frigin travel!

Jordan and her husband have a home in Cyprus and a source said : “She has three round trips planned to Australia. The cost of taking the family abroad this year looked ridiculous.”

Even though Jordan plans to rent the plane out when she isn’t using it, buying an entire Hawker 900 jet for one family is absolutely horrible for the environment.  So BOOOOOO Jordan on helping to ruin our planet!

Are you a flighty traveler? If so, visit Co2balance.com and learn how you can help offset your carbon emissions. And yes Jordan…that means YOU!