Mischa Barton prides herself on being a “green” gal — but we wish such values would extend to the animal world. This awful fur coat was spotted wrapped around her while the former OC star did some shopping in New York City on Monday. Completing the impersonation of a modern day Creulla de Vil, is the cigarette dangling from her right hand.

Disgusting.

Photo credit: INF Photo

“The three everyday tips I like for staying green are, one: conserving water around the house. Don’t leave water running for no reason – especially like when you’re brushing your teeth or taking a shower or whatever. Just not to waste water.

Second one is when you go to the store these days, most stores have bags you can get that are reusable and bring them back as long as you remember them – which seems to be my only issue. I think that’s an amazing thing to do. It saves us paper and plastic and it’s much, much, much better for the environment.

The third thing I think everyone should try and do a little more is bike and walk places because not only is it good for you and you get out there but it’s really good for the environment, especially places like L.A. where everyone drives. I have friends who drive hybrids and bio-diesel cars but you know they’re nothing like getting out there and going walking.”

Do you have any eco New Year’s resolutions that you want to share? Chime in and tell us how you plan to be more sustainable in 2009!!!

photo credit: prphotos.com

This week a bevy of famous faces came out to support the re-opening of Burberry’s store in Beverly Hills. Not to be a Debby Downer, but Burberry is one of the least eco-aware fashion lines out there, and still stubbornly insist on using fur – a material that most A-list designers have agreed to stop selling.

And yet still, stars like Mishca Barton, Kate Hudson, Liv Tyler, Kate Beckinsale, Maria Bello, Molly Sims and Mena Suvari showed their support for Burberry and helped contribute to the cruel company’s 13 percent rise in first half revenue. What I’m most surprised at, is that Proposition 2 supporter and one of our favorite green gals, Amy Smart, also attended — even after she publicly declared her commitment to living a fur free life! Ames, you’re breaking my heart here!

I know it’s not always easy to avoid suffering in this world, but to stop wearing fur is an easy decision that we all can make, and I certainly hope these public figures will reconsider what companies they support in the future.

To find out about all the lovely designers who care about both fashion AND the planet, visit PETA’s Guide To Compassionate Shopping!

via: justjared.com

With The Simpsons starting their incredible 20th season this past weekend, National Geographic thought it only right to sit down with Lisa Simpson for an interview. The sister of Bart and Maggie, Lisa is also a vegetarian and involved in environmental activism. When asked what her family has done to “go green”, she responded with, “Well, my Dad said his bald spot is “a solar panel for a love machine.” I don’t know what that means, but I’m looking into whether we can hook it into the grid and get carbon credits.” [Read more...]

Mischa Barton recently reviewed the Lexus RX400h Hybrid for an Aussie site called AutoChic. In the end, she found the vehicle “stylish and environmentally friendly” and would love to take it to where the rainforest meets the sea in North Queensland. [Read more...]

Last Friday, a bill was introduced into the U.S. Senate closing a loophole in federal law that currently allows some animal fur garments to go unlabeled if the value of the fur is less than $150, leaving consumers in the dark as to whether they are buying faux or animal fur. Called the “Truth in Fur Labeling Act”, the bill also addresses accurate and consistent language on labels of raccoon dog fur. [Read more...]

MSNBC recently sat down with Brandon Boyd, the lead singer of the band Incubus, to chat about his group’s charity organization, the Make Yourself Foundation. It’s all part of the news organization’s efforts to highlight a celebrity’s work on behalf of a specific cause each month. The thing that’s been the most wonderful for me is a sense that there a lot of truly good people in the world,” Boyd says in the interview. “Just when you think that … people only care about themselves and their property and their own lives, you get these little glimmers of hope here and there that there actually are quite a few people who are willing to lend you their hand, to lend you their shoulder and to lift each other up.” [Read more...]

Actress Angelica Huston opened up on her fears in a recent interview — and no surprise, Global Warming was one of them. “I worry a lot about my jobs, my lines. I have sleepless nights always before I go to work,” she said. “I worry about the welfare of my loved ones. I worry that this country is going to go to the Republicans again. I worry about global warming and the grim things that befall the planet. I worry that this country isn’t going to wake up and see what is happening before it’s too late and before it’s too late to influence the rest of the world.” [Read more...]

Mischa Barton has just completed a trip to Soweto, India as part of her role as ambassador for Save the Children. The former OC star is working hard to use her celebrity to make a difference. “I see so many celebrities who don’t take the time to do anything, which is pretty terrible in its own way. What’s the point of celebrity and all this stupid press we get? I think young people should be more active, vote, be more involved in charities,” she said. [Read more...]

- Mischa Barton discussing her expiernce in Gauteng, South Africa. Barton recently joined Save the Children’s Board of Celebrities for the Rewrite the Future campaign.

via: celebuzz.com

Back in 1984, a chemical spillage in Bhopal, India killed almost 15,000 people. It is frequently cited as one of the world’s worst industrial disasters — and even today, more than 100,000 people have permanent injuries as a result. Groundwater around the area continues to be contaminated — and nobody is exactly sure what to do in regards to a cleanup, even more than 20 years later.

Perhaps a movie about the event will kick someone into action?

News today is that Sienna Miller is out and Mischa Barton is in for the lead role in Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain. Barton will play a young rickshaw driver who starts working in a sweatshop chemical plant. Actor/Activist Martin Sheen is also slated star. IMDB is calling for a release this year — but with Barton taking over for the lead so late, we’re guessing that will be moved back. More details here.