ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

November 15th 2008

Razzi Snap: KT Tunstall Joins Campaign To Fight Homelessness

Filed under: film-tv, food & drink, green and famous, movies, music — michael @ 3:47 pm

Singer KT Tunstall has joined a Scottish campaign to eradicate homelessness by 2012. Launched by charity Shelter Scotland, the initiative is asking people to name which song reminds them of home. KT chose “Getting Some Fun Out of Life” by Billie Holiday. The top two choices so far are Dougie MacLean’s Caledonia and 500 miles by The Proclaimers. Anyone else find that Proclaimers song now reminding them of The Office? [Read more...]

Organizers for the Jane Goodall Institue Awards ceremony last week probably should have paid closer attention to the type of vehicle actor Pierce Brosnan arrived in. After all, the former James Bond was being honored that night for his commitment to environmental education — so why have him arrive in a Lincoln Town Car Limo? For his part, Brosnan says he drives a hydrogen-powered BMW H7 at home — but couldn’t anyone have borrowed a Prius or something for the event? [Read more...]

In a recent interview, Ellen Degeneres what her favorite part of Las Vegas is. Her response? “Well, the buffet…I’m vegan so I’ll just have salad,” she joked. “But still, it’s still a bargain.” [Read more...]

The new green-themed Bond flick, Quantum of Solace raked in an impressive $27 million on its opening day on Friday. For comparison, 2006’s Casino Royale only managed $14 million. Eco-villains are truly in vogue. [Read more...]

November 12th 2008

Steven Tyler, Kiss and Dee Snider Help VH1 Rock Autism!

Filed under: campaigns, contests, donations, events, music — sara @ 12:33 pm

You may have seen the VH1 Rock Autism campaign PSAs on TV. An old school aficionado myself, I was pretty stoked to see Steven Tyler, KISS, Dee Snider (of Twisted Sister), and several other rockers who are older than my father yet still kicking ass taking on this cause! If you haven’t caught it yet, you can see their PSA, “Rock Autism,” here.

Tomorrow Rock Autism is having a Celebrity Bowl-Off at Lucky Strike Lanes in Hollywood, from 7 to 10 PM, with benefits going to three different autism charities–Act Today, the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, and the HollyRod Foundation. It will be hosted by Dave Navarro and Holly Robinson-Peete, and rocker bowlers will include Meat Loaf, Slash, and members of Anthrax, Great White, Ratt, Warrant, Candlebox, Lit, Cinderella, and L.A. Guns.

This is definitely something I would have sold a body part to attend when I was a teenager.

There will also be a silent auction of rock memorabilia, including signed guitars from Linkin Park and Tom Petty. Tickets are $150 and all go toward fighting autism. To get yours, visit Vh1ClassicBowloff.com

November 10th 2008

will.i.am Premiers It’s A New Day On Oprah

Filed under: campaigns, film-tv, green and famous, music, politics, television — parrish @ 2:17 pm

In the spirit of Barack-Mania, will.i.am recently premiered his new song, It’s A New Day, on Oprah! The songwriter isn’t new to the political genre, having written a song in January called Yes We Can, in support of the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign of Barack Obama.  

In It’s A New Day, will.i.am sings: “I went asleep last night tired from the fight. I’ve been fighting for tomorrow all my life. Yea I woke up this morning feeling brand new. ‘Cause the dreams that I’ve been dreaming have finally came true!

To watch the whole performance, check out the video below!

November 7th 2008

Bjork’s Latest Single Calls for Environmental Protection

Filed under: music — stephanie @ 1:50 pm

Bjork may be best known for her incredibly – uh – creative getups and the eerie, otherworldly feel of her music and videos, but she’s definitely proven her green chops in the past. She staged an environmental concert in Iceland, called on fans to protest an aluminum smelter and pushed sustainability as an answer to her home country’s economic troubles. So, it’s no surprise that her latest single, Nattura, is all about saving the environment.

In an interview with AP, Bjork spoke of what motivated her to write Nattura, saying “I think I’m just one of many people who have stood up and spoken out. But I have to do it. I will not be able to live with my own conscience when my grandchildren drive around Iceland and it’s just full of factories and smelters. I mean, that would be horrendous.â€

Check out the Nattura music video on YouTube, and watch below as Bjork explains her passion for protecting the natural beauty of Iceland.

November 5th 2008

Razzi Snap: Kelly Preston Holds Scientology Concert Benefit

Filed under: babies and bumps, books, campaigns, donations, events, honors, music, politics, shopping — sara @ 4:44 pm

Kelly Preston held a Scientology Concert on Monday to benefit the Sussex Air Ambulance Service. Say what you will of Scientology, but the event did raise $82,000. Sussex Air Ambulance Service Chief Executive, Dave Philpott, says the money will enable them to save 50 lives.

Singer Mariah Carey has revealed that not only does she sleep a whopping 15 hours a night (IS there 15 hours in the night?), she also uses “20 humidifiers around [her] bed.” Yikes. I wonder how much water that is a night? [Editor's note: Not to mention the electricity!]

Marama Davidson, daughter of actor and New Zealand Green Party Member Rawiri Paratene (Whale Rider, Xena: Warrior Princess), painted her pregnant belly with the words “Vote for Me” in green in support of her father’s Party while doing outreach at Auckland University.

Kerri Russell was recently spotted with an organic Ergobaby Carrier when out and about with son, River. Want one for your own green tot? Click here.

The New York Public Library’s 2008 Library Lions benefit was the place to be for many celebs on Monday. Barbara Walters, Charlie Rose, and Ivanka Trump, among others, all made an appearance. The benefit honored Edward Albee, Ashley Bryan, Nora Ephron, and Salman Rushdie; and one of my all-time favorite writers, Nobel Laureate and Library Trustee, Toni Morrison, was the Master of Ceremonies.

November 4th 2008

The Green Quote: Vegan Superstar Leona Lewis Plans To Adopt

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

“I definitely want to adopt. My mother was a social worker and my dad was a youth offender officer, so I know that there are a lot of kids out there that need help. When I was in Africa, I wanted to take home all the kids. They were so cute. All of them had been orphaned because of HIV and it was heart breaking. There are so many kids in the UK and abroad who need help it’s difficult to know where to start.”

- Vegan pop-star Leona Lewis discussing her desire to adopt and proving once again that compassion has no limits. Rock on, Leona!

November 3rd 2008

Maroon 5 Throws A Vegan Halloween Party With Raw Food Chef Ani Phyo

Filed under: food & drink, music — michael @ 2:45 pm

I have to hand it to Maroon 5 — not only are they a group focused on pushing forward the green agenda, but they’re also making personal choices at home that reflect those values.

Take for instance the band’s annual Halloween party at the home of lead singer Adam Levine. This year, the party was catered by famous raw food chef Ani Phyo — who whipped up a whole bunch of raw vegan sweet treats for those in attendance. Celebrities dressing up included Kirsten Dunst as Amelia Earhart and Adrian Grenier as Oliver Twist.

For more photos — or some great recipe ideas and raw vegan inspiration, check out Ani Phyo’s site here!

October 31st 2008

Bjork Thinks Going Green Will Help Solve Iceland’s Economic Troubles

Filed under: campaigns, green and famous, music — parrish @ 1:47 pm

Iceland is in some serious trouble and Bjork thinks going green just might help! Bjork thinks the best way to rescue her country’s ailing economy is by supporting local eco-friendly businesses and using the financial slump as an opportunity to clean up the environment.

Bjork became angry when she learned the government had plans to build two huge aluminum smelters — insisting that authorities promote greener fuel choices. In a recent article on TimesOnline, she wrote:

“To take this much energy from geothermal fields is not sustainable. We are facing a disaster from betting everything on finance. If we build two more aluminum smelters, Iceland would become the biggest aluminum smelter in the world… It would leave little room for anything else. If the price of aluminum falls - as it is doing - it would be catastrophic. Iceland can be more self-sufficient and more creative - and still have an approach that is more 21st than 19th century. It can build fewer, smaller and greener dams.

“Let’s use this economic crisis to become totally sustainable. Teach the world all we know about geothermal power plants. Support the Icelandic seed companies. Support the grass roots. It may take longer to build and deliver profits but it is solid, stable and something that will stand independently of the rollercoaster rides of Wall Street and volatile aluminum prices. And it will help Iceland to remain what it is best at: being a gorgeous, untouched force of nature.”

In other Icelandic news, best-selling inspirational and vegan author Victoria Moran (who’s seriously like a God over there) is currently in Iceland giving talks and trying to raise spirits! Moran is a friend of Ecorazzi and we wish her all the best! Keep up the good work, Victoria!

To read Bjork’s full article, visit TimesOnline.com!

October 31st 2008

Sienna Miller Gets Covered In Cow’s Blood For The Hours’ New Music Video

Filed under: music, not green, television — parrish @ 12:30 pm

And you thought America’s Next Top Model was bad? In a new music for British indie rock band The Hours’, Sienna Miller makes an†interesting†costume choice…covering herself in cow’s blood.

At the start of the video Sienna appears wearing a hospital gown and totally freaking out as she tries to escape from a clothing store. Later, Miller walks into a room filled with dripping cow carcasses and proceeds to rub the blood all over her body, before blurting out the line: “Death feels like the safest place for me right now.” She later tries to cram herself into a glass cabinet and struggles through piles of high heel shoes.

The band’s frontman Ant Genn said: “It’s a song about struggle and addiction and fear and darkness… And the video brings it to life. The song and the film work perfectly together.” Umm…ummm…ummm…gross?

Artsy or not, that video sounds absolutely revolting. What do you think, readers? Does the sound of this video make you want to barf, or it’s all in the spirit of art? Chime in and share your thoughts!

via: femalefirst.co.uk

October 31st 2008

Tobey Keith Opens Up On Al Gore, Dixie Chicks, Global Warming

Filed under: campaigns, music — michael @ 10:48 am

I always thought Tobey Keith was kind of an ass. This wasn’t based on anything in particular, just an impression. I dig country music, I like some of Keith songs — but maybe it was his “bad boy” attitude that played out cheesy.

Anyways, after reading a recent Washington Post interview with the singer, let’s just say I’ve changed my tune. There’s a lot to munch on here, but let’s focus on the green. First off, back in July it was reported that Tobey Keith and the Dixie Chicks were close to shooting one of the WE campaign’s global warming ads. Neither group really liked each other much — but as was the theme of those ads, even polar opposites could agree that climate change was worth fighting. Unfortunately, due to scheduling issues (or animosity), the shoot never happened. Now, in this interview, Keith opens up on the issue:

Hey, I give the guy props for agreeing to speak out on the issue. It’s too bad “scheduling” got in the way. Maybe these guys should kiss and make up at Live Earth India…

Check out the rest of the interview here…