julia roberts

Earth Mothers and Moms: Mutually Exclusive?

ckane — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:18:30 -0400

Many moms have famously claimed that having children has made them more conscious of their impact on the planet, like Julia Roberts, Cindy Crawford, Soliel Moon-Freye and now Jessica Alba. But the question has been raised as to just how eco it is to even have a child.

Last November, the Daily Mail published an article called, "Meet the women who won't have babies--because they're not eco friendly," featuring a 35-year old woman, Toni Vernelli, who had an abortion then got sterilized at aget 27 to reduce her carbon footprint, with no regrets. Another woman made the choice to not have children for the same reason, which ended several of her relationships, and she's now with a man who's had a vasectomy.

Then in March, Treehugger mused on "Why Eco-Activists Still Have Children." It links to a piece in The Guardian weighing the pros and cons of bringing extra little consumers and potential destryoyers into the world.

Here's another view on it, from the author of Gross National Happiness, which takes a whole different analysis, considering the measured happiness of couples with children vs childless couples, and weighing that against how rewarding it is to have raised someone well in a world that needs more good eggs in it.

Image: Toni Vernelli, from the Daily Mail

Top 10 Eco-Films

Marcus — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Everybody loves a good movie night, and here at RiverWired, we’re no exception. In addition to being the preeminent form of pop cultural entertainment, movies also have the potential to influence millions of people. Which is why, when a filmmaker uses his or her influence to promote green causes, those of us who have an investment in this planet of ours tend to take notice. With that in mind, the following list has been compiled to highlight those films that have the most environmental significance – and are just plain enjoyable to watch.

1. An Inconvenient Truth

Pretty much the mother of all environmental films, An Inconvenient Truth was extremely effective at both introducing a mainstream audience to the severity of the global warming problem, and making Al Gore look like the greatest man alive.

2. The Day After Tomorrow

Sure, it may be a ridiculous and poorly written disaster movie, but it has two significant redeeming qualities: 1) The catastrophic weather patterns that cause the film’s conflict are global warming-induced, and 2) Jake Gylenhaal.

3. I Heart Huckabee’s

A zany meta-meditation on consumerism, corporate culture, and the American entrepreneurial outlook that is willing to destroy anything (including, but not limited to, the environment) to make a buck. Features a stellar cast including Dustin Hoffman, Lily Tomlin, Jude Law, Naomi Watts, Mark Wahlberg, and Jason Schwartzman.

4. Ferngully

A children’s fable about the problem of deforestation, featuring a cast of loveable cartoon animals. Ferngully was a big hit with the little ones, and decidedly forward-thinking for its 1992 release date.

5. Erin Brockovich

Erin Brockovich didn’t just feature an Oscar-winning performance from a sassy, sultry Julia Roberts. It’s also a captivating, based-on-a-true-story exposé about the effects of a major corporation knowingly releasing toxic waste into the environment.

6. Grizzly Man

Director Werner Herzog presents a compelling, disturbing documentary about one man’s resignation from society in favor of a life in the Alaskan wilderness, living amongst grizzly bears.

7. Who Killed The Electric Car?

Released on the heels of An Inconvenient Truth, this film looks at the introduction and initial popularity of the EV1 electric car- and its sudden, mysterious disappearance from the automobile market.

8. Free Willy

A classic ‘90s kid’s film about wildlife preservation, the importance of an animal’s natural habitat, and the touching bond that can form between boy and orca. The film also features a rousing soundtrack that includes a classic Michael Jackson track. What’s not to love?

9. Arctic Tale

Another smart, snappy children’s film featuring an all-animal cast (this time, though, they’re sleek, CGI animals), that conveys the dangers global warming can have on an arctic habitat.

10. The American President

In this political drama/romance written by Aaron Sorkin, Michael Douglas plays a U.S. president who falls for an environmental lobbyist, portrayed by Annette Bening. A president who digs green women? Sexy.

Celebrity Dirt

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 18:00:00 -0500

After a baby break, Julia Roberts is back in the spotlight promoting Charlie Wilson's War. But instead of sitting for interviews in which she painfully talks about her craft (boring!), the mom of three has been talking about... the environment.

The UK newspaper The Sun chatted with with the Pretty Woman, who talked about the $30 million dollar green makeover she gave her Malibu home. According to the story, Julia's ecofriendly home now features wood harvested from sustainable forests, recycled tiles and solar panels... to name just a few. Her inspiration to go green? Her three kids -- Phinneaus, Hazel and Henry. She tells the paper: "They're perfect and you think, ‘How can I help sustain their state of bliss?’ And beating up the planet the way we have is not going to do that. Having kids is a great catalyst for reflection and action."

Speaking of kids... Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and the four mini Jolie-Pitts closed out 2007 in New Orleans, where Brad's developing ecofriendly homes for Hurricane Katrina victims. But that doesn't mean Angie's been home filing her nails -- she has a person to do that for her anyway. Angelina partnered with the Children's Health Fund to draw attention to the more than 46,000 kids still displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and make sure they're having their health and educational needs met. As part of it, she visited several schools in the Big Easy... and Brad tagged along as well.

Funny -- the highlight of my school days was when Slim Sterling, a square dance instructor, visited our school annually to teach us to Do-si-do. He was certainly No. Brad. Pitt.

In the market for organic baby gear? Soliel Moon Frye is counting on it. Yep, I'm talking about Punky Brewster. The actress, who's expecting her second baby, opened a store in LA called The Little Seed. Not only are the clothes and toys organic, but she used non-toxic paints in her store and recycled wood for the counter. And if Demi Moore ever has Ashton Kutcher's baby, she'll probably buy everything at Soliel's store -- the ladies are intimate friends and Demi was actually there the first time Soliel gave birth. Pretty intimate, huh?

Don’t miss the Video of Celebrity Mulch: Where RiverWired dishes the dirt on theclean, green stars.