Most recently Oxfam recruited nineteen actors, musicians and activists – including stars like Scarlettt Johansson, Annie Lennox, Colin Firth and Kristin Davis — to sign a climate change letter written to world leaders who attended the UN climate negotiations in Poland.

“It is desperately unfair that the poor should again feel the brunt, despite being least responsible,” read the letter. “Wealthy nations, who are in their advantaged position because of heavy industrialization, are the most responsible and able to lead the world in tackling climate change. This is why they must show leadership in Poland and provide solutions that have the interests of the world’s poor at their heart.”

With so many people getting involved, it’s hard to believe that only a few years ago the verdict was still out on climate change. Here’s to hoping that 2009 is full of even more delicious environmental progress!

via: looktothestars.org

Photo: Scarlett Johansson attending a photocall for her new film, The Other Boleyn Girl, as part of the 58th annual Berlin International Film Festival. Credit: Dirk Laessige/INFphoto.com

Think the dollar menu at old Mickey D’s is a good value? YEAH, RIGHT! How about getting 16 MEALS out of that same dollar bill?!

Well that’s exactly how far Feeding America – the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity – can stretch a buck! And to raise more bucks for which to stretch, the charity group is teaming up with a goggle of famous faces for Fill A Bowl, Feed America — a campaign run in conjunction with Clothes Off Our Back, to raise money for families who are struggling to survive

Stars like George Clooney, Mariah Carey, Taylor Swift, Wyclef Jean, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Annie Lennox, and many more have all donated their time to sign high quality bowls that will be auctioned off until December 12th!

If you’d like to own one of these awesome bowls, or just want a donate a couple dollars for fun, visit the auction page and help a few less fortunate families get a hot meal this holiday season!

via: looktothestars.org

Lennox will be hosting the launch of The Amnesty Arts Fund tonight at the Twentieth Century Theatre in London. The campaign brings together people who believe passionately in freedom of expression and projects, which have the potential to reach new audiences and inspire creative activism around the world. Take a look at the video below to hear Annie discuss in more detail:

The concert will take place on September 9th at the Nokia Theater and feature such artists as Annie Lennox, Bryan Adams, and Natasha Bedingfield. The event will also include clips from the documentary, The Day After Peace, and video messages from celebrities like Jude Law and Lenny Kravitz.

Peace One Day was started by Jeremey Gilley in 1999 to help shed light on non-violent solutions to global problems.  Annie Lennox says, “We all have so much potential, but we don’t tend to realize it, so we take it for granted. The work of Peace One Day encourages and inspires people to think about we can all do, both at individual and ‘collective’ levels.”

Oh and check this out: as result of Peace One Day’s campaigning in 2007, 1.4 million Afghanistan children were vaccinated against polio, and 100 million people in 200 countries were engaged in Peace Day activities. WOW! Visit Ticketmaster.com to get your tickets!

thanks: looktothestars.org

Annie Lennox

Here at Ecorazzi we give major props to celebs who work with Oxfam, including famous faces such as Scarlett Johansson, Colin Firth, Kristin Davis, and Bill Nighy.  Earlier in the year we even had the chance to sit down with long-time Oxfam Ambassador, and new mother, Minnie Driver who explained to us just why she loves working with the organization so much.

I did a little research and was overwhelmed by the fact that more than 25 million people have died from AIDS since the disease first emerged in 1981, and 33 million people today are living with HIV. Furthermore, ninety percent of those infected live in poor countries and only three million individuals, or less than a third of those in need, have access to precious antiretroviral drugs.

To find out how you can get involved visit OxfamAmerica.org!

Back in July, Jude Law accompanied filmmaker Jeremy Gilley to Afghanistan as part of a documentary called The Day After Peace. Law’s deep involvement with the film came about almost on a whim after shooting a promotional segment for the idea. After the take, Gilley said he was traveling to Afghanistan. Law said he wasn’t busy and asked to come along. The director was shocked, but graciously accepted his offer. According to the Guardian, the bond between the two became tight through everything they witnessed. From the article,

“The actor said he had got involved because it was a simple, powerful message and because it was also about film. ‘I make films and he uses film to spread this message.’ He said he wanted to go to Afghanistan to ‘feel, smell and see’ for himself what was happening there.

‘Feeling first-hand the presence of the frontline, being able to feel the hope of the people,’ he said. ‘There’s a very cynical, violent image of Afghanistan and of course there is the frontline there, but there’s a massive amount of reconstruction and hope.’”

Gilley’s efforts over the years have made an enormous impact. In 2001, the UN adopted his idea for World Peace Day — which happens every September 21st. So far, it has led to 1.4 million children in Afghanistan being vaccinated against polio. As Law said of the day, “You apologise to someone you’ve upset, you say thank you to someone or you get a group of people together and you recognise peace. It’s like turning it into a birthday, or turning it into a party of sorts.”

The pair hope to return to Afghanistan soon to screen the film. Angelina Jolie, Annie Lennox, the Dalai Lama, Kofi Annan, and others also make an appearance. For more, visit the official site.

Pitt was speechless after a nearly 30 second screamfest when he walked onto the American Idol stage to tape a segment for Fox’s second annual Idol Gives Back. Once the audience calmed down Pitt tried to say “thank you,” but his microphone wasn’t working. So Idol stage manager Debbie McVickers rushed up to see what was wrong and joked that she “just needed a reason to touch him.” Another female production assistant was also needed and McVickers joked again, “We need more women to touch him.” Oh McVickers you funny little so and so.

Last year, the inaugural Idol Gives Back campaign raised more than $75 million for domestic and international charities and this year they’ve already beat that number after a $200 million pledge by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to pay for 20 million mosquito nets for African families in need. Nice one, Gordo! The campaign also paid tribute to Pitt’s Make It Right foundation to help rebuild homes devastated by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

Don’t miss Idol Gives Back on Wednesday, April 9th and catch performances by Miley Cyrus, Carrie Underwood, John Legend, Annie Lennox, Gloria Estefan and Mariah Carey.

Good news American Idol fans! Ellen DeGeneres will once again join Ryan Seacrest as the co-host of IDOL GIVES BACK on Wednesday, April 9th (7:30-10:00 PM ET/PT). IDOL GIVES BACK is a music celebration that helps raise funds for various U.S. and international charities, and last year scored an incredible $76 million.

So far, Maroon 5, Heart, Gloria Estefan, Boyz II Men, The Clark Brothers, Bono, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Fergie, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood Annie Lennox, John Legend and Snoop Dogg are all scheduled to attend.

Ellen said, “Everyone knows it’s better to give than to receive. That’s why I want to give you some advice. You get the advice and I get the joy of giving – it’s a win-win. Here it is: Give yourself a treat and watch IDOL GIVES BACK. Again, you get the joy of giving and an amazing line-up of artists get to give us an incredible show. Last year, we were able to giveaway over $76 million. You give, you get. Get it!”

This year the money raised will help benefit: the Children’s Defense Fund, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Make It Right. Malaria No More, Save The Children, and the Children’s Health Fund.So watch IDOL GIVES BACK on April 9th at 7:30 PM ET/PT and donate those dollars, people!

Thurman explained, “The whole point is to raise awareness and communicate with everyone else in the world and share our concern for the planet.” Meanwhile, Kevin Spacey, the artistic director for London’s Old Vic Theatre, announced that next year they’ll be doing a show called, Go For Green, which is aimed to teach young children how to lead greener lives.

It’s no secret that celebrities are society’s trendsetters, and I’m always so impressed when I see some of my favorite actors and musicians going beyond the call of duty to stand up for a cause that’s oh so important. Now if you’ll excuse me, this boy is gonna go home and watch Kill Bill for the twenty-third time.

R&B singer Chris Brown doesn’t really care much for idea of laundry. The 18-year old was interviewed by Blender magazine and when asked whether or not he wore underwear or went commando (a natural question…), he replied, “Underwear. I wear a new pair of drawers every day. I won’t wash my drawers and put ’em back on. I just throw them away.” Hmm..we think those are called diapers, Chris. Obviously, you’re still a little too young mentally to understand your impact. Thankfully, there are quite a few toddlers out there with reuseables that could probably teach you the difference. [via just jared]

Kylie Minogue has now been added to the list of performers scheduled to perform at the Dec. 11 Nobel Peace Prize Concert; otherwise known in jest as Live Earth II. The event will honor this year’s winners, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and the U.N.’s climate change panel. Joining Minogue will be Alicia Keys, Annie Lennox, Juanes and Melissa Etheridge. Hosting the gig are Uma Thurman and Tommy Lee Jones. More than 100 countries will tune in for the event. [via starpulse]

Al Gore is getting animated (again) in the new movie, Futurama: Bender’s Big Score. The former V.P. plays a hybrid cab driver in the year 2012 that happily accepts a $100 offer from a time-traveling killer robot to race through the streets of Long Island. Yup. When Gore loses the robot (by way of hitting a dump truck and sending him flying) he mutters, “Dang. That $100 could have bought me one gallon of gas.” And I thought $3.50 for a gallon was nasty. Look closely and you’ll also notice Gore’s license plate reads, NOCO2. For the clip, jump here. [via autobloggreen]