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April 18th 2008

Willie Nelson To Sell High-Tech Atmospheric Water Generators

Filed under: food & drink, green and famous, healthy living, products, thegreenpicture — parrish @ 4:54 pm

I think it’s safe to call Willie Nelson a pioneer in environmentally-friendly practices. Ecorazzi previously reported on Willie’s participation in Farm Aid, commitment to bio-diesel, and now, after canceling his bottled water line because he couldn’t stand the plastic bottles, Willie’s making the clean water industry a whole lot cleaner. 

WaterTechOnline.com is reporting that Willie Nelson has partnered with Ed Russell to produce Willie Nelson’s Water From Air, the Gulf Coast distributor of Wataire International atmospheric water generator units. 

So what exactly is an atmospheric water generator? Ok here we go, according to Russell, “the units generate water from the atmosphere, pulling moist air through a HEPA filter, and working much the same way a typical dehumidifying unit does, except that the newly generated water is pushed through a sediment filter, pre- and post-carbon filters, an ultrafine filter, and finally ultraviolet (UV) light before it is stored. Stored water is recirculated in the UV chamber to retain its potability.”

And that my friends his how you make some fine, eco-friendly, non-plastic wasting, environmentally sound aqua! Willie also has plans to team up with fellow country musician Merle Haggard to open a  California-based Wataire distributorship in the future.

Russell says that Nelson’s interest in the Wataire units is because “he’s totally green” — and we totally agree. Everybody repeat after me: WILLIE NELSON ROCKS!

March 27th 2008

Billboard Magazine Announces Top 10 Greenest Musicians

Filed under: green and famous, honors, magazines, music, thegreenpicture — parrish @ 10:04 am

It seems that nowadays every magazine has a “Green Issue”. And why not? Let’s be honest, green is the new EVERYTHING!!! 

So in the spirit of el verde Billboard Magazine has dedicated their entire March issue to all things green, including a list of the top 10 greenest musicians. Billboard says, “The Top 10 green musician activists from the past year were chosen by overall positive impact on the environment; the extent to which the artist integrates a green approach into all aspects of his/her career; perceived sacrifice of choices; and trailblazing nature/originality of ideas.”

Wanna know the Top 10? Drumroll please!

In order from last to first they are: 10. The Roots 9. Missy Higgins 8. Radiohead 7. Serj Tankian 6. Pearl Jam 5. K.T Tunstall 4. Dave Matthews Band 2. Mana 2. Willie Nelson 1. Jack Johnson

Bands were praised for everything from their choice to eat local and organic to fueling tour buses with biodiesel and raising money for eco-worthy causes. Also included in the issue are stories on the touring industry (from green merch to green venues), green instruments, green festivals and tons more.

Billboard’s Green Issue is on sale now, but if you just can’t wait to get your hands on a copy you can visit their website and get an online preview NOW!!!

thanks: seattlepi.com

March 19th 2008

Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton And John McCain Can All Agree On One Thing…

Filed under: animals, campaigns, politics — parrish @ 10:25 am

Pop Quiz!

Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain all have what one thing in common?

A. A fiery passion for a well-made biscotti

B. The uncanny ability to tie perfectly knotted friendship bracelets

C. A desire to ban horse meat for consumption and prohibit their export for slaughter

If you guessed C you got it right. Congratulations!

While perusing one my very favorite green blogs, I stumbled upon a post debating a bill that “amends the Horse Protection Act to prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption.”

Basically here’s the deal: In the past 3 years the U.S government has pretty much banned the slaughter of horses and closed down the three primary slaughter houses associated with the trade. However, the bill wasn’t specific enough and now American horses are being brought to Mexico or Canada for butchering. The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act would end this mess entirely.

A myriad of senators and governors are co-sponsors of the bill, including all three of the remaining presidential candidates. And on the Hollywood side, both Robert Redford and Willie Nelson are supporting the cause.

Want to help stop this totally cruel and awful practice? The Humane Society Of The United States is asking supporters to sign a petition urging congress to pass the bill! So be presidential and walk, run or gallop over to the HSUS website and voice your thoughts! Free Mr. ED!!!!!!!!!

March 12th 2008

Celebs Promoting “Green” Qualities of $2 Million Natalia Luxury Vehicle

Filed under: cars-houses, transport — michael @ 3:43 pm

And you thought the $98,000 Telsa Roadster was a bit out of budget. For the price of the Natalia SLS 2, you could open up your own Tesla dealership.

Two years since it was first announced, the car deemed “the world’s most luxurious, expensive and technologically advanced production automobile” is coming together for an expected 2009 release. Some familiar voices are also popping up in press releases exalting the “green” features of the vehicle and heralding the Natalia as the kick-start America needs to stay competitive in the auto industry.

So for $2 million this car must have some serious green cred, right? Well, yes and no. For one thing, this thing is still completely dependent on fuel. Sure, it features a flex-engine capable of using either ethanol, E-85, or gasoline — but it’s a V16 displacing a whopping 14 liters and pushing an outrageous 1,200 horsepower. The press release says the Natalia will offer “excellent gas mileage” by employing variable-cylinder technology and a “cutting edge” fuel delivery system, but I’m not holding my breath. In a time when vehicles like the Tesla Roadster can go 250 miles on a charge with zero emissions — touting the cutting-edge green of a $2 million car that uses gasoline seems to fall a bit flat. Still, celebrities like Willie Nelson and Larry Hagman are offering nothing but praise. From the release,

“I’m excited to see creative car producers exploring fuel sources that can be harvested from Middle America instead of the Middle East,” says country music legend and alternative energy advocate, Willie Nelson. “America can lead the way with renewable and sustainable energy like we once did with oil and gas. This is the light at the end of the tunnel and it’s not a freight train!”

“DiMora reminds me of a young Lee Iacocca,” says actor, auto enthusiast, and green energy proponent Larry Hagman, “…conjuring a forgotten time when a name carried meaning and a craftsman’s fingerprints were scattered across every intricacy that goes into making an engine flawlessly hum.”

Other famous names potentially interested in owning their own Natalia include Adrien Brody, Kathy Ireland, and Jay Leno.

I don’t know, even if I was crazy wealthy, I can’t imagine ever throwing $2 million at a car; much less something that was still dependent on oil. What do you think?

December 26th 2007

PETA Names Senator, Robert C. Byrd, Person Of The Year

Filed under: animals, green and famous, honors, politics — parrish @ 11:37 am

When I think of West Virginia, the first word that pops in my head surely isn’t: progressive. But color me ignorant! PETA has just announced that their person of the year is no other than West Virginia senator, Robert C. Byrd. Senator Byrd (or as his friends call him Big Byrd…oh how I joke) has spent six decades fighting the man for the sake of the animal.

In 2005, Byrd coauthored the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, which prohibited the transport, purchase or sale of our equestrian pals for human consumption. Willie Nelson publicly added his stamp of approval to this bill as well. Byrd also petitioned to convince the Senate Appropriations Committee to provide 5 million dollars (the most money ever requested) for improving enforcement for the Humane Slaughter Act, in 2002. And most recently, during the Michael Vick case, Byrd delivered a 24-minute speech on the senate floor, condemning dog fighting and describing it as “barbaric.”

Now lately you know this blogger has had mixed feelings about the People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals, but surely one must salute Senator Byrd for his noble acts and must also thank PETA for showcasing them. SALUD!!

November 24th 2007

Willie Nelson Urges Passage Of Anti-Dogfighting Bill

Filed under: animals — michael @ 8:58 pm

Country music star Willie Nelson is lending support to a dogfighting bill that would help tighten laws throughout the state of Georgia. A national animal-welfare organization, Best Friends Animal Society, produced an ad that has Nelson speaking into a camera while “Georgia on My Mind” plays in the background. From the article,

“‘Dogfighting is against the law in Georgia, but the laws are so weak, the beautiful state of Georgia has become a haven for dogfighters from around the country,’ he says. The bill would make it a felony for anyone to sell, trade or transport dogs for the purpose of dogfighting.”

Supporters of the new bill (which has already cleared the state Senate) hope to have the ad in full circulation around the December 10th sentencing for suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. The former star footballer has pleaded guilty to a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge.

Rock on, Willie!

via CNN