Get out your air-popped popcorn and organically-sweetened soda, because we’re going to the movies…eco-style!

Yesterday afternoon marked the official opening of the 17th annual Environmental Film Festival in Washington D.C.

With 136 eco-themed documentary, feature, animated, archival, experimental and children’s films, this year’s festival sounds like it’s gonna be the jam!

One film that we’re particularly looking forward to is the world premiere of The State of the Planet’s Oceans, hosted and narrated by Matt Damon. And that won’t be the only film you’ll find about water pollution!

This year’s festival is introducing a special Ocean Film Series, featuring movies like A Sea Change, Poisoned Waters and At the Edge of the World — a documentary on the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. 

To find out more about the films showing and how YOU can get a ticket, visit DCEnvironmentalFilmFestival.org!

via: treehugger.com

Daryl Hannah is set to join thousands on Monday in Washington, D.C. for what’s being billed as the largest mass civil disobedience rally for the climate in U.S. history. The protest will take place at the Capitol Power Plan — the only coal-burning plant in the District, and a major source of sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and soot.

“We need to send a message to Congress and the president that we want them to take the actions that are needed to preserve climate for young people and future generations and all life on the planet,” said Dr. James Hansen, NASA’s chief climate scientist in a video posted on capitolclimateaction.org. ”What has become clear from the science is that we cannot burn all of the fossil fuels without creating a very different planet. The only practical way to solve the problem is to phase out the biggest source of carbon — and that’s coal.”

According to the website, the rally is intended to peacefully disrupt access to the plant by surrounding it. Obviously, the 2,500 people expected to attend all face the risk of arrest — but that hasn’t stopped people like Daryl Hannah from standing up for what they believe in before. In 2006, the Splash star was arrested after she refused to come down from a tree while protesting the destruction of an inner-city LA garden. Joining her in D.C. on Monday will be Hansen, former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, singer Kathy Mattea and James Gustave Speth, dean of Yale University’s School of Forestry. Susan Sarandon, who recently recorded a PSA for the event calling on people to join the rally, will be unable to attend due to a scheduled performance.

To find out more on the event, jump to the Capitol Climate Action website here.

For environmentalists, there may be no greater issue on the eve of of the Obama administration than what green inaugural ball to attend while in Washington, DC. Sure, you may be thinking to yourself, “Hey, why not just attend both? They’re on different nights!” — but high-society frowns upon such frat-party gibber jabber. Besides, where in the world are you going to find two stylish sustainable gowns that you actually like?

Exactly.

Thankfully, the razz is here to help you. We’ve conveniently broken down the pluses and minuses of each party and will guide you towards the best bet. In the end it will probably boil down to who has the best open bar, but let’s sort through the details anyway and examine each element independently. Ready?

Date Of The Party:

The Green Inaugural Ball: Saturday, January 17th, 8pm-12am.

The 2009 Green Inaugural Ball: Monday, January 19, 7pm-12am

Analysis: Clearly, if you want any chance of recovering from the inevitable hangover after four or five organic vodka martinis, the 17th is your best bet. The 19th is risky, especially when you wake up in bed next to Dick Cheney on the 20th and he “wants to talk” about where this relationship is headed.

WINNER: GIB

Entertainment/Hosts:

The Green Inaugural Ball: Wyclef Jean, Speeches by Graham Hill, Summer Rayne Oakes, and some other people we’ve never heard of.

The 2009 Green Inaugural Ball: Al Gore, and his massive celebrity army. will.i.am., Melissa Etheridge, Maroon 5, John Legend, and Michael Franti scheduled to perform. Plus, the off-chance that Richard Simmons could crash the party.

Analysis: Al Gore could pull a Gwyneth Paltrow and stay behind a black curtain all night, and we’d still choose him over Graham Hill juggling fire. Though if Summer Rayne Oakes asked nicely, we’d probably acquiesce.

WINNER: 2009 GIB

Green Cred:

The Green Inaugural Ball: Electric car transport, water from atmospheric water generators, organic and local food and beverages, location half-block from Metro, compost and recycle system in place.

The 2009 Green Inaugural Ball: Carbon neutral, locally sourced organic food, compost and recycling, a “green carpet” made with renewable energy and 10% consumer content.

Analysis: We’re happy to report that both venues are living up to their green name. Though the inclusion of an atmospheric water generator over at GIB is a nice touch.

WINNER: GIB — by a hair. And because their website does a better job explaining how they’re reducing their impact.

Spirits And Beer Availability:

The Green Inaugural Balll: Open Bar

The 2009 Green Inaugural Ball: Open Bar

Analysis: Both events sport the all-important open bar — but the 09 GIB is open an extra hour.

WINNER: 2009 GIB — if only for one more shot of liquid courage to impress Cameron Diaz.

Price:

The Green Inaugural Ball: $500 general admission, $1,000 VIP admission

The 2009 Green Inaugural Ball: Sold Out

Analysis: At this point, you’re probably thinking “Why the hell am I reading this? There’s only one party I can attend!” Ah, but you’ve seen Wedding Crashers, right? How hard can it be?

WINNER: GIB — Just so you can tell your friends that you attended the most expensive Wyclef Jean concert ever.

Random Details:

The Green Inaugural Ball: Art sensation, Ryan Simmons will be in attendance with his eight foot tall Pop Art painting of Barack Obama. Recycle Runway artist, Nancy Judd, showing off garments created from recycled Obama campaign posters and flyers.

The 2009 Green Inaugural Ball: From the website: “This event has been planned and will be executed in accordance with House and Senate ethics rules.”

Analysis: Considering the ethics of House and Senate members in the past, 09 GIB could turn into an keg stand party. Though, a picture of you next to an 8-foot tall Obama cutout would look pretty cool too.

WINNER: TIE

Conclusion: In the end, it doesn’t necessarily matter what green ball you attend — both look like they’re going to be a blast. We’re going to give this one, however, to the Green Inaugural Ball — mainly because you can still purchase tickets. And we heard the food is going to be better. But we want to know: Are you going to either one of these? Can you score us some table gifts?

Have fun this weekend!

Forget the black tie requirements and high heels! The kind of party you want to go to is the one where even Hugh Hefner would feel at ease in a smoking jacket and pajama bottoms. Thankfully, if you have $300 handy (and in this economy, who doesn’t!?), you can party like its a middle school sleepover at the Obama Pajama Party Inaugural celebration on January 18th.

Hosted by Star Wars alum Carrie Fischer, the evening will benefit the Pajama Program, a non-profit organization that delivers warm sleepwear and nurturing books to children in need, many of whom are waiting to be adopted. Expected guest include Marisa Tomei, Keira Knightly, Russell Simmons, LL Cool J, MTV VJ Lala and Fonzworth Bentley. Guests are invited to wear pajamas or black tie, nightgown or ball gown.

We’re not sure if dinner will be pizza (a traditional stable for sleepover parties), but if you’re game, a VIP table for ten is only $10,000. Trust us, you’ll be the coolest kid in school the next day if you can float that.

For more information, jump here.

For all the crazy inaugural balls happening in DC this weekend, check out the full list here.

By now you must certainly know that Ecorazzi has a full-fledged charity crush on Farm Sanctuary – an organization that works hard to combat the abuses of factory farming. And we aren’t the only ones!

Earlier this year, we got the chance to attend the Farm Sanctuary Gala and brought you back exclusive interviews from celebs like Russell Simmons, Emily Deschanel, Melissa Rivers and Dennis Kucinich. Now, Farm Sanctuary is bringing the party to Washington D.C with hosts Nellie Mckay and Persia White as they rally to raise critically needed funds for some of the sanctuary’s most recently rescued animals.

Here’s the deal: in June of this year, Farm Sanctuary mobilized in Iowa to take part in one of the most ambitious farm animal rescues ever undertaken, after thousands of pigs were left to die in the Midwest flood disaster. During both land and water rescue operations, 69 pigs were rescued, including many pregnant sows who were once confined to gestation crates on factory farms. Now, these pigs, many of whom are still suffering from serious health problems, are at Farm Sanctuary receiving urgent care and undergoing rehabilitation. That’s where you come in.

To raise some extra dough and honor those rescued, Farm Sanctuary is holding Party For The Pigs on Saturday, October 18 from 6-9 p.m. at the Equality Center in Washington D.C. The evening will include a silent auction, vegan hors d’oeuvres, a wine and beer bar, and a special performance by singer/songwriter Nellie McKay. Oh and I’ll be there too….so make sure you come say hello! Tickets are just $50 and of course all the proceeds go towards a wonderful cause. To find out more call 607-583-2225 ext 221 or visit FarmSanctuary.org! See ya at the par-tay!

Last weekend the former model and controversial vegan was honored by the folks at FARM (Farm Animals Rights Movement) and in return made a huge $50,000 donation to the group. Mills also took the opportunity to talk about how being vegan is basically the most awesome thing ever and announced plans to launch her own brand of vegan food. Wait…don’t get too excited! If you’re a regular reader you might remember my rather disappointing Mills concoction at the Farm Sanctuary Gala earlier in the year. Hospital food say what? Even so, Mills plans to launch her own vegan range in October and open a chain of vegan restaurants in the near future.

FARM is a public-interest organization promoting vegan, plant-based diets to save animals, protect the environment, and improve health. They are one of my all time favorite groups and have been responsible for a bazillion successful grassroots campaigns. To find out why I have a crush on FARM, visit FARMUSA.org.

thanks: looktothestars.org

In just two weeks the world’s largest and oldest animal rights conference will be held in our nations capitol, and trust me you don’t want to miss it! Like every year, the conference line-up boasts a slew of incredible speakers, including author Karen Dawn (who Ecorazzi will spotlight later this month) Saurabh Dalal from the International Vegetarian Union, Mike Hudak from the Sierra Club (our charity of the month) and that famous face you no doubtably feel strongly about one way or the other…Heather Mills. (For the record I’m on Team Heather.)

The conference will feature 90 speakers from 60 animal protection groups in 9 countries, presentations on whale wars and effects of global warming, celebrity & activist awards and about a bazillion other really exciting activities. Also…did I mention I’d be there! 

That’s right! On August 16th and 17th I’ll be bringing you the latest in green gossip from Washington D.C as I peruse the show with my fancy, schmancy press pass. So get a group of your coolest friends together and carpool on over to the Hilton Mark Center sometime between August 14th-18th to join in on all the fun! To learn more or purchase tickets visit arconference.org. See ya at the show! 

Yesterday Gosling spoke at the 4th Annual Center for American Progress’ national conference at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. American Progress works to improve the lives of Americans through ideas and action. Ryan also spotlighted the ENOUGH Project — an advocacy organization working to help build a permanent constituency focused on preventing genocide and crimes against humanity….which is always a good thing. 

Ryan chatted about his time in Darfur and how the residents looked him, saying: ”Not like I was just some actor from Hollywood who was there to have an experience. They looked at me like I was somebody who could really do something. And I didn’t consider myself in that way. I still can see the way they looked at me.”

By the end of the night Gosling had won the audience over and revealed ”I’m single, by the way. Do what you want with that.” Okay, okay — easy Gosling. Save some for the rest of us! 

Since her appointment, Reese has worked with Avon to stop domestic violence, and this past weekend she showed her charitable side again as a special guest at the sixth annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Washington, D.C.

Reese spent the weekend in D.C cheering on the walkers and spoke at the closing ceremony.  She said, “I am very excited to be partnering with the Avon Foundation and to help them continue to affect real change, I feel a great responsibility in my own life to give back to society. As the Honorary Chairman of the Avon Foundation, one of my first experiences last year was to meet Avon Walk walkers at a training walk in Los Angeles. Now I am proud to support the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer here in Washington, D.C. and hope my presence can in some measure express my deep appreciation for all the women and men who participate in the Avon Walks, and for all of the people who dedicate their lives to breast cancer research and care.”

The walk had 3,500 participants and raised $8.1 million for local, regional and national breast cancer organizations. GOOD JOB YA’LL!! So a big thanks to Reese Witherspoon, the Avon Foundation and all the walkers for their hard work and generous donations.

To learn more, visit AvonCompany.com!

via: dailystab.com

This weekend, Panettiere spoke at the Save the Whales-Again campaign at DuPont Circle in Washington D.C to help raise awareness about the brutal slaying of whales around the the world. Save the Whales-Again is an international conservation project that aims to re-ignite the passion of the earlier “Save the Whales” movement and “Save the Whales Again!”.  

Panettiere joins fellow celebrities, Pierce Brosnan, Keely Shaye Smith, and Isabel Lucas  who have all pitched in to try and help save the whale…again.  Panettiere has been particularly active in the movement and has future plans to speak with representatives from Japan, Iceland, and Norway to try and convince them to change their archaic fishing practice.

It looks like this Heroes star was typecast.

via: celebrity-gossip.net