ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

May 5th 2008

Naomi Campbell Honored For Renewable Energy Activism? Are You Kidding Me?

Cats and dogs living together, mass hysteria.

Filed under: campaigns, events: nyc, honors — michael @ 1:23 pm

As most are aware, Naomi Campbell is a British supermodel with a penchant for cell-phone throwing and physical violence; most recently resulting in her being banned for life from British Airways. But did you also know that Campbell is passionately involved in renewable energy initiatives? So much so, that she was recently honored for her activism? We didn’t either — and because we cover this crazy world 24/7 — we’re shoveling through this massive pile of BS to figure out what in the world actually went down last week to result in such delirium.

Apparently, a fresh new organization that’s literally nowhere to be found online beyond their website, organized the gala at the United Nations last Friday. Called the International Renewable Energy Organization (IREO), their Diamond Awards for Renewable Energy event was meant as an introduction to the new org and an opportunity to honor those making strides in alternative energy.

Leonardo DiCaprio was listed as an attendee on the invite, but apparently he caught wind of the shady intentions of the honors and jumped ship. Other celebrities like Heidi Klum and Patrick Dempsey did manage to show, but we’re not sure exactly why. Joining Campbell in the honors was Petra N?mcová - but at least this is one famous fashion model that has actually helped address the issue of renewables.

The only thing we can remember Campbell doing is picking up trash as part of her community service (for assaulting an assistant), making plans to develop a casino and hotel on a coastal sanctuary for turtles in Kenya, and wearing animal fur and skins for nearly every photo opportunity. What a brilliant choice!

We wish IREO all the luck — they seem to hold promise as an organization with great intentions (even if they’re advisory board is still “Under Construction”) — but we sincerely hope they do a bit more homework before blindly throwing awards at people less than deserving. Better luck next year.

thefilmpanelnotetaker via innercity press

May 2nd 2008

Clooney Writes About Brad And Angelina For Time Magazine

Filed under: honors, magazines — michael @ 11:58 am

For Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People”, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were ranked number 21. Who penned their tribute? None other than George Clooney. His words are below,

“It is one thing to talk about the problems of the world and quite another to actually try to change things.

As a team, actors Brad Pitt, 44, and Angelina Jolie, 32, have served as our goodwill ambassadors worldwide. They brought help to Pakistan in 2005, after a catastrophic earthquake killed tens of thousands of people and left millions homeless. They have tended to the poor and sick in Africa. And they’ve raised global awareness—and contributed $1 million of their own money—for the victims of atrocities in Darfur. Brad co-founded Not on Our Watch, an organization set up to focus global attention on Darfur and other hot spots.

In the U.S., Brad and Angelina didn’t just talk about, or even just throw money at, the tragic fallout from Hurricane Katrina. They actually moved to New Orleans and have set about trying to make right what so many have made wrong. Brad established a project to finance and build 150 new homes in the Ninth Ward.

Continue on to Time to read the rest of George’s comments.

May 1st 2008

Go Green Expo Conquers The Big Apple With Eco-tastic Weekend

Filed under: ecorazzi exclusive, events: nyc, fashion, honors — melissa @ 4:48 pm

The New York City-based Go Green Expo had its Big Apple debut this past weekend at the Hilton New York. The green weekend kicked off with an inaugural awards gala which included a runway fashion show featuring eco-wear by Maggie Norris, a former designer for Ralph Lauren. Host Nigel Barker of America ’s Next Top Model auctioned several couture pieces – topping at $7,000 - benefiting Riverkeeper’s Amazon Conservation Association. Award recipients included Congressman Steve Israel, Captain Planet Foundation’s Laura Turner Seydel, Live Earth Founder Kevin Wall and NYT best-selling author David Bach for their individual contributions to the green movement this year. Celebs in attendance included the always-stunning actress Sissy Spacek, model Lauren Bush, Playboy model Lindsey Vuolo and TV personality Pat Mitchell.

The weekend continued with a three-floor, green-living and sustainability event including vendor booths, panels and film screenings. Goodies ranged from bamboo-clothing by Carole Wang to green printers, ride-share companies, bags, jewelry, cosmetics, to organic foods and beverages like Sobe. Many of the products featured boasted free-trade production.

One of the most notable extra-curriculars was the Fields of Fuel, film screening chronicling Josh Tickell’s U.S. road-trip in a “Veggie-Van” fueled by vegetable oil from fast-food eateries. He also breaks down green energy and major myths and misconceptions. Who knew (aside from Josh) that Rudolf Diesel, who created the first diesel engine, had designed it to run on vegetable oil, not petroleum?! To call this film eye-opening would be a great understatement. Despite its current grass-roots marketing effort I would confidently put all bets on this powerful, film as a shoe-in for the next Best Documentary Oscar. “Fields of Fuel” already won the Audience Choice Award at the Sundance Film Festival. The inspirational Josh Tickell took park in Q&A with expo-goers and has been working on this film for almost 10 years and has loved inspiring others. Check out a clip of the movie here or visit the official site at http://www.fieldsoffuel.com/.

For pictures from the fashion show and the gala, please click more below to view Ecorazzi’s gallery!

Read the rest of this entry »

May 1st 2008

U.N Elects Chinese Actress Zhou Xun As First Green Ambassador

Filed under: green and famous, honors, thegreenpicture — parrish @ 12:21 pm

Last week the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) elected the very first National Goodwill Ambassador to promote environmental responsibility.  Sure they could have picked George Clooney or Ed Begley Jr., but instead they went with the dark horse candidate — Chinese actress Zhou Xun. 

Xun may not be a household name here in the U.S, but her popularity is international and most importantly she’s big in China where green living still has yet to really catch on.  And since we all know that celebrity initiative can save the day, Xun’s example just might help create some real change in her home country.

Zhou says that she hopes to come up with  ”clever ways to communicate with people, and help people to protect the environment in clever ways.” She continues to reveal, “To save water, I personally try not to take baths anymore (only showers). Habits can be very hard to change but I want to let people know that we can all make a difference.” Amen to that sister.

So welcome to the green club Zhou Xun. The Ecorazzi team is excited about keeping our little green eye on all your eco-activities. See you in the funny pages!

gracias: treehugger.com

April 30th 2008

Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids, Holds Easter Bonnet Competition

Filed under: campaigns, donations, events, events: nyc, honors — parrish @ 10:36 am

Here in New York we have this little thing called Broadway. You might have heard of it - big shows, big voices, big budgets, and well — luckily — also big hearts.

The Broadway community came out this week for the annual Easter Bonnet Competition to raise money for Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids. Basically how the event works is that companies from various Broadway, Off-Broadway and touring productions offer skits, songs and/or dances as well as a bonnet created specially for the competition with all the proceeds going to BCEFA. I wasn’t able to make it out this year, but some friends of mine attended and said it was super great!

As always, the event was star-packed with famous faces like Megan Mullaly, Nathan Lane, Laurie Metcalf, David Hyde Pearce and the dude with the biggest (and arguably craziest) fans I’ve ever seen, Clay Aiken.

Oh and the best part: this year those illustrious Broadway Belters earned a whopping 3.7 million dollars all for charity! Oh me oh my!

If you missed the event but still want to give a little pocket change, visit the Broadway Cares website and anti-up!

photo credit:Aubrey Reuben

April 18th 2008

Spend A Celebrity-Packed Evening At The Farm Sanctuary Gala 2008

Filed under: animals, events, events: nyc, food & drink, green and famous, honors, thegreenpicture — parrish @ 3:59 pm

What’s more fun than spending a fancy schmancy evening in downtown New York City eating classy vegan fare with some of today’s hottest celebrities? Um, nothing! 

On May 17th from 6pm-midnight Farm Sanctuary will hold it’s annual gala at Cipriani Wall Street in NYC — and trust me, you don’t want to miss it! Farm Sanctuary was founded in 1986 and aims to expose and stop cruel practices that take place in the “food animal” industry. They now have two shelters — one in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and the other in Orland, Calif. — where they provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals. 

This year the Farm Sanctuary Gala will be hosted by Heather Mills, emceed by Melissa Rivers and will feature a delicious three course vegan dinner, an awards ceremony, a silent auction and a musical performance by Shawn Colvin. And the guest list is just as exclusive with celebrities like Kristen Bell, Rachel Leigh Cook, Jennifer Coolidge, Emily Deschanel, Christine Ebersole, Swoosie Kurtz, Kevin Nealon, Loretta Swit, Persia White and Debra Wilson Skelton scheduled to attend, as well as many others.  

Tickets may sound a bit pricey at 400 dollars a pop, but save those pennies because this evening is totally worth it. Last time I went I heard an incredible speech by Loretta Swit, said hello to James Cromwell and pointed Alicia Silverstone to the restroom. 

To find out more visit FarmSanctuary.org and get those tickets before they run out! I’ll be covering the event this year so make sure you find me and say hello! 

April 13th 2008

Matt Damon Promotes The 2008 Global Day for Darfur In London

Filed under: campaigns, events, honors, politics — parrish @ 1:47 pm

Today, Matt Damon and wife Luciana Barroso are spending the afternoon in London promoting the 2008 Global Day for Darfur.

According to SaveDarfur.org,it’s estimated that “one million Darfuri children have grown up displaced, living in camps for refugees and internally displaced persons, many without opportunities for education, without knowing the meaning of home”.

The hope is that a Global Day for Darfur will alert citizens to call on their governments and the United Nations to get the U.N.-African Union peacekeepers deployed in Darfur as fully, effectively, and quickly as possible

Tens of thousands of people across the country are finding their own way to honor this important day. Pictured above, Matt Damon is breaking toys to symbolize the destruction of childhood in Darfur.

For more information, or to find a local event in your area, visit SaveDarfur.org and let’s get this done!

thanks: justjared.com

April 11th 2008

Ellen Degeneres And Lisa Simpson Honored For Animal Awareness

Filed under: animals, healthy living, honors, thegreenpicture — parrish @ 11:54 am

Sure some people might have been a little turned off by the whole Iggy thing, but generally Ellen DeGeneres has the reputation of being a great big star with a great big heart.

Infact, Beverly Kaskey, senior director of the Hollywood branch of the Humane Society has just named Ellen one of the best on TV when it comes to raising awareness for animal issues. “Ellen took on the cruelty of hunting, cooking lobsters and even defended small insects,” Kaskey explained to the Fancast Web site.

Lisa Simpson, of The Simpsons is also highlighted for her vegetarianism (which I can’t help but wonder if inspired by Dan Castellaneta - voice of Homer Simpson and long time vegetarian). Kaskey says, “Lisa makes the connection between the lamb chops on her plate and the lamb she had befriended earlier and refuses to eat her dinner.”

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m super happy that Ellen does all this great stuff for animals, but am I the only one who’s itching to see Ellen join Lisa Simpson and take the veg pledge already?

April 9th 2008

The Green Picture: Ron Livingston Helps Honor Fields Of Fuel Doc

Filed under: honors — michael @ 4:14 pm

April 4th 2008

New Tom Cruise Marijuana Really Bugging Out Tom Cruise

Filed under: healthy living, honors — michael @ 4:20 pm

Continuing our efforts to cover all things green (remember that story about Weeds getting some eco-packaging?), we present to you the latest entertainment news concerning the world’s favorite illegal substance.

This one is hilarious. And you don’t even need to be high to enjoy it.

Apparently, there is a new strain of medical marijuana out there being marketed as “Tom Cruise Purple“. Why the dubious honor? The weed is reportedly so potent that it causes you to see things that aren’t really there. We all know Tom is heavy into the Scientology side of things — so we’re thinking this is probably where the joke is being directed. Of course, the actor isn’t backing the moniker — especially with his past objections to psychotropic drugs — and is getting his legal team into action. From the article,

“Word is that the actor’s lawyers are taking a serious look at the strong brand of bud after we brought it to their attention. One of Cruise’s friends found it ‘outrageous’ that licensed cannabis clubs in Northern California are selling vials of pot featuring a picture of Cruise laughing hysterically.

Staffers at several California clinics we called said they were forbidden to discuss any of the herbal varieties in their ‘inventory.’ But one weed devotee said, ‘I heard it’s the kind of pot that makes you hallucinate.’”

Awesome. We really hope Kevin Nealon’s character gets an opportunity to sample this fine bud on the next season of Weeds. And Tom? Chill out man — it’s all good.

via Celeb|bitchy