ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

May 16th 2008

The Green Quote: Prince Charles On The Rainforests

Filed under: green and famous — michael @ 10:49 am

“The trouble is the rain forests are home to something like 1.4 billion of the poorest people in the world. In order to survive there has to be an effort to produce things which tends to be at the expense of the rain forest. What we’ve got to do is try to ensure that those forests are more valuable alive than dead. At the moment there’s more value in them being dead. This is the crazy thing.

–Prince Charles speaking in an interview with the BBC on the easiest way to reduce climate change.

May 4th 2008

Prince Charles’s New Eco Town May Be Cooler Than Disneyland

Filed under: buildings and construction, cars-houses, green and famous — michael @ 9:19 pm

We cover Prince Charles on the Raz a lot. So much, that sometimes we believe there can’t possibly be another interesting piece of his green career to write about. Of course, the Prince ain’t content to simply sit still, so here we are again with the dish that a new eco-town created by his highness has been given the OK to start construction. From the article,

“Planners have granted permission to build Sherford, a brand new town for 12,000 people, in South Devon that is billed as Britain’s greenest settlement. Work is expected to begin later this year to transform rolling countryside near Plymouth into the experimental new town with 5,500 homes. In Sherford, cars will be banned from some parts and 390ft wind turbines will loom over a 400-acre car park on the outskirts.”

Half the power needs for the new town will come from renewable sources — with all home sporting solar panels. Additionally, most of the materials to build the town will be sourced from a 50-mile radius! The business section — which will provides jobs for about 7,000 people — will be covered in either green roofs or “covered in a thin layer of rubble to attract insects and birds.” Everything about the town will be organized to encourage walking; not to mention all waste including water and sewage will be recycled to cut CO2 emissions. All of this, and Charles intends to give it a traditional English charm — with the theme being modeled on the Wiltshire market town of Marlborough.

How amazing does all of this sound? Charles is banking that this will be the future of urban design, saying he wants to, “build again the types of places we all know strike a chord in our, by now, rather bewildered hearts, however ‘modern’ we are – places that convey an everlasting human story of meaning and belonging”.

He might just pull it off.

Check out the full Daily Mail article here for more info.

February 26th 2008

Prince Charles Officially Bans Foie Gras

Ecorazzi swoons

Filed under: animals, campaigns, food & drink, green and famous, thegreenpicture — parrish @ 8:52 pm

It seems that here at Ecorazzi, I am the official Prince Charles correspondent. I loved him once. I loved him twice. And right now I’m about to ready to switch teams and give Camilla a run for her money. Check this out:

Prince Charles has just officially banned foie gras from all royal menus and “instructed chefs at all of his royal residences to stop serving the dish.” This decision was made after an activist in Bristol noticed foie gras being sold in the House of Cheese, a royalty appointed shop, and wrote to Charles in Charge explaining just how cruel this “delicacy” is.

Prince Charles’ Deputy Master of the Household (maybe the coolest job title ever) responded:

“The Prince of Wales has asked me to write and thank you for your letter about animal welfare issues surrounding the production of foie gras and your experience in Tetbury. I just wanted to reassure you that The Prince of Wales has a policy that his chefs should not buy foie gras. His Royal Highness was not aware that the House of Cheese sells foie gras and this will be addressed when their warrant is reviewed.”

What the royal mandate is going on??? Today, PETA’s president sent a letter to the Prince, personally thanking him for his compassion and positive example. So far, here in the states, the city of Chicago and the state of California are setting the trend by no longer permitting this disgusting practice.

Please, please visit Nofoiegras.org to find out more about the quest to ban foie gras forever!

February 15th 2008

Prince Charles Defends Renewable Energy

Filed under: green and famous, not green, politics, thegreenpicture — parrish @ 12:20 pm

Alba, Hilton, Anderson…this afternoon Ecorazzi has pretty much been devoted to giving warm fuzzies and cold pricklies to some of today’s sexiest starlets. So let’s continue the trend and talk about… Prince Charles.

This week, Prince Charles stood in front of Parliament and asked:

“Can we really understand the dynamics of a world in which energy and food security will become real issues for everyone? … Can we possibly allow twenty years of business as usual before coal powered generation becomes clean? Are we truly investing enough in renewable energy?”

His comments are in regard to the proposed building of a new coal plant that the government is set to decide on in the next few weeks. Eon, the devilish coal company that enjoys ruining the world and practicing general evil, wants to build the pollutant spewing factory WITHOUT CCS (also known as “clean coal”) technology, thus allowing it to pump out as much carbon dioxide each year as 30 developing countries.

Charles, I don’t really know how the in’s and out’s of British Government, but can’t you just say no? There are two solid truths in this world: Lindsey Lohan should stop drinking and we should stop building these world ending coal plants. So go on you Brits, take to the streets old school style with pitchforks and torches, shouting, Hell No, Make Eon Go!!

February 11th 2008

Razzi Snap: Ellen DeGeneres Has Raised $800K For Pitt’s Charity

Plus: Nicole Kidman's eco-baby, Prince Charles not green enough, and stud farm on hold

Filed under: animals, babies and bumps, buildings and construction, cars-houses — michael @ 2:02 pm

The people of New Orleans have many heroes to thank for their efforts in helping post-Katrina, but few may be as giving as former native Ellen DeGeneres. The comedian/talk show host has helped raise more than $10 million for various charities focusing on rebuilding the city; most recently $800,000 for Brad Pitt’s Make It Right NOLA campaign. Website Muckety helps map out DeGeneres’s sphere of influence. Have a look here.

Nicole Kidman is getting ready for her first child with country singer Keith Urban. In preparation, she recently ordered a range of organic linen, clothing and plush toys from Sydney’s Double Bay baby boutique, Bay Bee Cino. Said Kidman of her pregnancy, “I’ll have bigger boobs. That’s one of the many good things I can think of that will come of it.” For a look at Bay Bee Cino’s products, jump here.

Prince Charles’s plan to develop an eco-friendly home from only natural materials (like stone and timber) is being given low marks for green home status according to some codes setup by the British government. Ironically, building naturally — as opposed to incorporating plastics or man-made insulation materials — is not airtight enough to meet the definition of a zero-carbon home. So while the Prince is saving the world from pollution in the creation of these materials, he’s still not doing enough to combat Global Warming with his ‘natural’ home. You can’t win. [via environmental grafitti]

Unfortunately, Hedi Fleiss’s plans to open the world’s first wind-powered brothel may have to wait a bit longer. The famous Hollywood Madame was arrested last week for “driving without a license, possession of dangerous drugs without a prescription, under the influence of a controlled substance and driving under the influence of a controlled substance.” Sorry ladies — that eco-friendly stud farm will be along in a bit. Till then, I’d encourage you to contact Parrish. [via styledash]

February 9th 2008

Prince Charles And Camilla Set Sail On A Mean Green Machine

Filed under: green and famous, thegreenpicture, travel — parrish @ 10:57 am

It’s official: Prince Charles is purposely trying to suck up to the Ecorazzi team. Yeah you heard me, Brittan’s own P.Ciddy is going to the theater, saving trees, appearing as holograms, and all as part of a mission to steal the coveted Ecorazzi Poster Boy title from Ed. Begley Jr. And now there’s this:

In the wake of the recent Spice Girl breakup, it’s just been announced that Britain’s own eco-conscious Prince is going on tour…well kinda. Starting March 4th, Charles and Camilla will tour the Caribbean in a yacht that’s being billed as “environmentally friendly.” Prince Charles and his crew rented the 246-foot vessel Leander from businessman, Donald Gosling, and will be taking it on an 11-day trip. His office said that sailing, rather than flying, would reduce the trip’s carbon footprint and be lighter on the old Buckingham billfold than traveling by chartered plane.

Ok Prince, you win! I’m totally impressed. But until you build your home out of Peat Moss, insulate your house in recycled tires that you yourself cleaned off the highway, and get your mama to open her own biodynamic winery at Buckingham Palace, you’ll never trump Ed Begley Jr. So keep doing your part and maybe one day Camilla will be the first Green Queen!

January 29th 2008

Prince Charles And Camilla Enjoy An Afternoon Of Environmental Theatre

Filed under: events, events: uk, green and famous, theater — parrish @ 11:55 am

I believe it was Billy Shakes who once said, “To be or not to be sustainable, that is the question.”

Prince Charles and wife Camilla, the Duchess Of Cornwall (you gotta love a good Duchess), spent yesterday afternoon enjoying some downtime at the theater…the children’s theater.  The royal duo visited the Unicorn Theatre (not to be confused with the Fairy Theatre, the Gargoyle Theatre or the Keebler Elf Theatre) and watched a production of A Singer from the Desert Came-a story set in the future when Earth has been destroyed by mankind’s way of life (so it’s a comedy?). The play was performed by TheatreQuest, a troupe funded by Charles’ organization, The Prince’s Foundation for Children.  In its lifetime, TheatreQuest has introduced the arts to over 1,300 children by getting them involved with local theatres.

No report on whether Charles and company were good audience members (I hear Camilla has a nasty hard candy wrapper habit). However, after the show, Charles addressed the children and said, “You can see I do have my uses, to allow you to get away from your lessons! But hopefully this little play will remind us of the importance of not making a complete mess of our planet.”  

Wait a tick! The leaders of Britain actually SUPPORT the arts? Now that IS foreign. Sure, maybe Charles is kinda funny looking and a little scandalous, but his support for the environment and the theatre deserve a good old fashion standing O! So on the count of three, let’s all sing it together: Charles in charge of our days and our nights. Charles in charge of our wrongs and our rights. And I sing, I want, I want, Charles in charge of me!

story via: femalefirst.co.uk

January 23rd 2008

Prince Charles Appears Via Hologram At Energy Summit

Where does he get those wonderful toys?

Filed under: campaigns — michael @ 10:08 am

Remember when Al Gore appeared via hologram at the Japan Live Earth Concert? It seems that Prince Charles was taking notes. He recently appeared in virtual form to address those attending the Abu Dhabi World Future energy summit. At this same event, Abu Dhabi (capital of the United Arab Emirates) pledged $5 billion to sustainable energy initiatives over the next five years; the most ambitious renewable energy commitment ever undertaken by a government. Charles was “there” to briefly discuss alternative energy and emissions reductions. From the article,

His appearance was the talk of the 2,500 delegates at the World Future energy summit, most of whom had flown thousands of miles to discuss renewable energy and climate change and how to save emissions.

The very sight of Prince Charles caused many to gasp, and they were also surprised by his reference to a common “creator” figure. “Scientists are now saying that the problem of climate change is now so grave and so urgent that we have less than 10 years to slow, stop and reverse greenhouse gas emissions. Common actions are needed in every country to protect the common inheritance that has been given to us by our creator…” said the prince.

Beyond the certified ‘coolness’ factor of this technology, I love how full-size holograms may one day provide viable options to traveling long distances to address people. Obviously, there’s no replacing actual physical interaction (unless Charles is building a look-a-like robot in his basement), but perhaps this futuristic upgrade of today’s “video conferencing” technology may one day save us a lot of trouble with travel and emissions.

That, or it will be a huge boon to virtual dating.

Guardian via Treehugger

Photo note: That’s really what the hologram looked like. Impressive, right?

December 29th 2007

Prince Charles Helps Save The World One Tree At A Time

Filed under: green and famous, politics, thegreenpicture — parrish @ 3:21 pm

This week, Prince Charles put down the pint and meat pie and picked up the checkbook to help Norway stop deforestation around the world. Charles pledged to contribute $541.2 million dollars a year to Norway’s efforts and offered to send representatives to learn more about the problem.

Norway’s Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, accepted the offer and further invited any country committed to stopping deforestation to come and play ball (metaphorically speaking, of course). Anyway, I’ve been texting George Dubya all day and haven’t gotten a response yet. Typical!

Deforestation in developing countries is estimated to contribute a fifth of total global greenhouse gas emissions through the release of carbon dioxide, and Norway believes the fastest and most cost effective way to help end global warming is to halt this damaging process. Furthermore, in April, Stoltenberg set a goal to make Norway totally carbon neutral by 2050 by offsetting Norwegian greenhouse gas emissions by investing in environmental projects throughout the developing world.

Basically what I’m saying here is: Anyone wanna move to Norway with me?

November 30th 2007

Prince Charles’s Eco Village Starts Moving Earth

Filed under: buildings and construction — michael @ 1:40 pm

A 4,000 home eco village, designed in part by Prince Charles, has started development with the clearing of land on the site of a former BP oil refinery in the UK. According to new info, the site will be based on the Prince of Wales’s model village Poundbury in Dorset and will emphasize priority for pedestrians, local shopping and as many trees, shrubs and other greenery as possible. The project is a working partnership between The Prince’s Foundation, BP, Neath Port Talbot Council and the National Assembly. It is expected to take almost 20 years to complete and will be named the Coed Darcy village.

Okay, a couple things. First, 4,000 homes? Wow. I’ve never heard of an “eco village” on this scale before. Also, it worries me when an article describes the project but makes no mention of renewable energy sources being employed. Will there be a mix of projects — similar to the green energy in place on Smøla island in Norway? Obviously, the scale of the development has many worried. “They are calling Coed Darcy an urban village. But I call it a housing estate,” said one resident. Let’s hope size does not limit the green.

via icWales