ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

July 2nd 2008

Jackie Chan Encourages Peace In Timor-Leste

Filed under: sports, video — parrish @ 8:45 am

Jackie Chan recently spent some time in Timor-Leste and spoke with the youth about using martial arts as a peaceful, unifying force. Timor-Leste has recently seen a wave of violence and marital arts, which once served as a method of sport, is now being practiced more frequently for acts of crime and violence. Check out the what Jackie has to say in the video below. 

June 12th 2008

Ultimate Fighting Champion Reveals His Knock-Out Vegan Diet

Filed under: food & drink, sports — michael @ 3:27 pm

A couple weeks back, we profiled Mac Danzig — a finalist in Men’s Health magazine’s profile of the “25 Fittest Guys In America”, and a competitor on the show The Ultimate Fighter. What makes Mac unique amongst all the other fit finalists is that he’s a vegan. Since we dig that, we thought we might share a bit more.

Danzig received so many inquiries into his diet that he’s posted an in-depth look at how he stays in shape, along with what he eats to remain in peak form. Here’s a highlight:

“For the record, I cut dairy completely out of my diet in 1999 (over 5 years before I ever committed to a full-Vegan diet)… This was due to an allergy that I developed in my adolescent years to dairy that effected my sinuses and everything connecting to them. For a good part of my teenage years, I suffered from severe ear infections and chronic Vertigo (which is completely miserable). It took me a few years of to finally realize that the antibiotics were only temporarily subduing a much bigger problem. I did my research and finally found the source.

A lot of people don’t realize how hard milk, whey, and other dairy products are on the sinuses and respiratory system, and the dairy industry would like you to believe that you need milk to get calcium. That notion is as oxymoronic as you can get. Although not everybody has as severe an allergy to dairy products as I did, I just wanted to point out that after years of battling with ear and sinus infections, eliminating dairy completely cured my problems. Anyone with similar problems may want to try it for a while.”

Jump here to take a look at the full post — and perhaps grab some tips on how to cut meat and dairy out while still leading a healthy (and strong) lifestyle. 

May 20th 2008

Razzi Snap: Salma Hayek Takes A Tour Of New Orleans Eco Home

Filed under: buildings and construction, cars-houses, green and famous, sports, web — michael @ 4:20 pm

Actress Salma Hayek recently took a tour of Global Green USA’s first completed green home in the devastated Lower 9th Ward. A supporter of the organization, Hayek remarked that the home has great value as a symbol of hope for the entire region. “This house was built with so much love and it was the dream of a collective group of people who are trying to change things in the world. I think that what has happened here has been a wake up call and the courage and dignity from the people who have faced this tragedy has been something that will motivate all of us,” she said. [Read more...]

Sporting icon Yao Ming has been criticized by the Chinese people for not donating enough to the recent earthquake disaster. Ming, who makes more than $55 million a year, initially only gave away $70,000 to a relief fund. “He’s been drinking milk and eating bread (like an American) for a while and he’s forgotten where he comes,” one posting said. “You are Chinese!” Ouch. Ming has since caved to the pressure and upped his donation above $250,000. [Read more...]

Treehugger.com contributor buys an SUV. Decides to write about why. All hell breaks loose. 137 comments later, guy is beaten, bruised, and shamed. Awesome decision. [Read more...]

Autobloggreen put together a nice photo collection of celebrities riding around on scooters. You know you’re somewhat interested…[Read more...]

April 18th 2008

SHARK Vs Cheyenne Frontier Days: Round One!

Filed under: animals, sports — parrish @ 11:29 am

Uh-Oh!!

A few days ago Ecorazzi told you that Matchbox 20 pulled out of Wyoming’s Cheyenne Frontier Days festival — the world’s largest outdoor rodeo — after the animal rights group, Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK), sent them video footage of alleged animal abuse from last year’s rodeo.

Well, needless to say the festival bosses are PISSED. And what do we do in this country if we’re angry? WE SUE!! That’s right, owners of the festival are suing SHARK claiming the animal rights group sent Matchbox 20 “false and misleading information” which caused the cancellation. Frontier Days organizers are estimating the resulting damage will be close to 100,000 dollars lost in ticket sales. They are also suing SHARK for persuading Carrie Underwood to pull out of the event in 2006.

Juicy stuff! Keep posted to Ecorazzi for all your SHARK/Frontier Days drama. Who will win? I vote SHARK.

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?

January 10th 2008

The New Air Jordan Is Redesigned For Your Inner Enviromentalist

Filed under: fashion, green and famous, products, shopping, sports — parrish @ 4:59 pm

Even when the commercials told me to, I never REALLY wanted to “Be Like Mike.” But lately I’m starting to rethink my decision.

Nike is set to release the 23rd version of it’s popular shoe, the Air Jordan, at the end of January. 23 was Michael Jordan’s number for most of his NBA career, and so to honor the man with the foot, the AJXX3 will be the first shoe in the company’s history designed to reduce waste and incorporate environmentally friendly materials.

For example, instead of the AJXX3 requiring the usual nasty glue and ozone layer crushing adhesives, Nike is coming up with an innovative new system of interlocking panels which will do the job without causing as much harm. In fact, they built brand new machines just to make this shoe an environmental success.

Tinker Hatfield (the worst name maybe ever), Nike’s V.P of Innovation Design and Special Projects, said, “We pissed off a lot of people at the factory because this wasn’t business as usual,” and estimates that “Within six months, you’ll see other [basketball shoe] companies following our lead.”

So how do you get Jordan’s new eco-sneaks? Wait the hell in line like everyone else, dammit! Starting on Jan. 25, 23 retailers will each receive 23 pairs of AJXX3’s that will cost you $230. They’re really obsessed with this 23 theme, huh? And then on Feb. 23rd (again with the 23) they’ll be available on mainstream shelves.

Are you as impressed as I am? Tell Ecorazzi what you think about this new green shoe! I expect 23 comments!

via: linton at hugg.com

December 19th 2007

PETA Administers The 39th Lash To Michael Vick With A Festive Holiday Card

Filed under: not green, sports — parrish @ 11:05 am

The People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals love their e-cards. As Ecorazzi reported earlier, Michael Vick is currently serving a 23-month jail sentence on dog fighting conspiracy charges.  Well in the spirit of the season, PETA has just released a brand new “holiday” card featuring Michael Vick in an orange jump suit locked inside of a snow globe designed to look like a prison with a ball and chain around his leg. Behind Vick is a guard with his  dog ferociously watching over him. When you visit the site you can “shake” the globe and watch Vick crash into the walls as a voiceover says, “They got to the quarterback’s blind side there. He never had a chance.”

Ok, If you’re familiar with some of my previous posts you know that I am a PETA member and supporter, but I think this is just plain tacky. Ok, we get it, Michael Vick seriously messed up and now he’s paying for his mistake. Do we really have to mock the guy with a festive card? The only holiday message this is sending is, “Na, na nee boo, boo”, and gloating is never attractive. Sometimes, PETA crosses that oh so delicate line and goes from helping to hurting. We got our point across guys, I have a feeling Vick will be staying far away from anything with four legs for a very long time. As we approach the end of 2007, we should be focusing on forgiving, not mocking. 

If you MUST see the card you can view it HERE.

December 11th 2007

Michael Vick Gets 23 Months For Dogfighting Disgrace

Filed under: animals, not green, sports — parrish @ 11:46 am

You’d think that if you were one of the highest paid NFL players in the country you wouldn’t get your jollies from watching two dogs kill each other, but I guess you never know.  Michael Vick was recently sentenced to a 23 month jail sentence for his involvement in an underground dogfighting ring.

Although Vick had some hard-hitting supporters in his corner, such as Hank Aaron, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and the pastor of his church,  US. District Judge Henry E. Hudson still had little sympathy. During the sentencing Judge Hudson stated, “I’m convinced it was not a momentary lack of judgment on your part. You were a full partner.” And when Vick apologized to the court and his family, the judge shot back, “You need to apologize also to the millions of young people who look up to you.”

Although he could have been sentenced to up to five years, the Federal sentencing guidelines recommended a sentence of 12 to 18 months, so all in all Vick received a pretty firm sentence. 

You know, I usually close out my posts with something witty and light, but there are no witty or light comments to be made here. One can only hope that this helps put a stop to the horrific “sport” that is dogfighting, and teaches Michael Vick a lesson he won’t ever forget.

November 6th 2007

In the Garden of Hedonism with Ideal Bite and Ethan Zohn

Filed under: animals, events: nyc, sports, web — rebecca @ 5:01 pm

There’s a daily email list out there for every kind of consumer, even the light green one. Many readers of Ecorazzi are sure to be on the list of over 150,000 people that receive the daily “bite” each day with a simple green tip from Ideal Bite. It seems that Ideal Bite is now associated with Pilot Group, Bob Pittman’s project that has bought up interest in other email newsletters like Daily Candy.

Last night, Ideal Bite & Pilot Group held a launch party for their new NYC newsletter called “Garden of Hedonism” at Johnny Utah’s. That’s right, the new place with the mechanical bull. This night, it was a solar powered mechanical bull.

Famous faces mixed with the NYC eco-crowd, drinking Square One organic vodka and Wolaver’s organic beer. They included singer songwriter Natasha Bedingfield, the hilarious Jennifer Coolidge, Soprano’s star John Ventimiglia, and Survivor champs Jenna Morasca and Ethan Zohn.

Ethan, incidentally, is also a co-founder of Grassroots Soccer, which uses the power of soccer to fight AIDS in Africa. Also an animal rights activist, he and girlfriend Jenna have even posed for PETA’s I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur campaign. We hear Ethan has a new eco-show coming out on HGTV this spring.

Photos and commentary provided by Ecorazzi Field Reporter Melissa Rosenberg.

November 5th 2007

David Beckham Raises Funds For Wildfire Relief

Filed under: sports — paige @ 6:02 pm

Soccer star stud David Beckham took part in an all out celebrity soccer match to help those affected by the wildfires in Southern California. The event took place yesterday at the Home Depot Center. According to the Associated Press:

Beckham and the Galaxy will take on “Hollywood United FC” – a team comprised of actors Anthony LaPaglia, Jimmy Jean-Louis and Costas Mandylor, as well as several former World Cup players – in a friendly fund-raiser match to benefit those affected by the wildfires in Southern California.

Evidently Beck’s appearance helped to raise over $100,000. “It’s nice to be in that position and play out there and raise a certain amount of money,” David said.

We can’t help ourselves, we heart you Becks!  Proceeds will go to the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army.