Celebrities

The Skeptical Environmentalist

Marcus — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:42:04 -0400

Bjørn Lomborg is a Danish author, academic, and environmentalist. He is an adjunct professor at the Copenhagen Business School, and Director of Copenhagen Consensus Center. In 2007, he published “Cool It: The Skeptical Environmentalist’s Guide to Climate Change,” a book that offers a fresh perspective on global warming by incorporating human needs as well as economics into its plan to address climate change.

Lomborg’s visionary approach to the global climate crisis has earned him international acclaim, as well as appearances on Larry King, 20/20, The Colbert Report, 60 Minutes, BBC Newsnight, and a host of others. In 2008, Lomborg was named one of the “50 people who could save the planet” by the UK Guardian, and one of the “top 100 public intellectuals” by Foreign Policy and Prospect Magazine. Lomborg continues to be one of the most prominent and exciting environmental thinkers of our time.

In an essay entitled “The Future of the World,” Lomborg outlines some of his positions on reversing the effects of climate change, charging his readers not to focus on the problems our planet faces, but, rather, to look to our accomplishments as a source of inspiration. Lomborg points out that, over the course of the last century, malnutrition has dropped significantly, poverty has been cut in half, illiteracy rates are way down, and access to clean drinking water has been dramatically improved. Lomborg argues that, while it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the challenges the future holds, we must use our accomplishments as inspiration to continue to improve our world over the coming generations.

Lomborg also asserts that we shouldn’t focus our efforts solely on undoing global warming from an exclusively environmental perspective. Rather, we should strive to improve the global economy and bolster individual wealth, and environmental stability will follow. As an example, Lomborg points out that indoor air pollution is the single most pressing environmental problem, responsible for about 1.5 million deaths annually. Rather than certifying the dung that many impoverished families use to heat their homes, Lomborg proposes making these people “rich enough to afford kerosene.” Improving the global economy will lead to better environmental conditions around the world, and Lomborg is eager to guide the effort toward achieving global prosperity.

For more information on Bjørn Lomborg, go to www.lomborg.com.

Top 10 Green Excuses

kbutler — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400

If you’re reading this article, odds are that you’re probably at least a light pale green in your commitment to Mother Earth. (That or you’re a friend or relative I’ve harassed to read my blog – you guys rock!) So in honor of the many shades of green out there, I present a list of top ten green excuses for your every day use.

TOP TEN GREEN EXCUSES

10. “I know I smell, but you couldn’t possibly expect me to shower longer than 1.3 minutes and waste an extra 3.6 gallons of water.”

9. You can’t eat dinner at your mother-in-law’s because you can't be subjected to another helping of her non-organic food/soul-crushing criticism.

8. “Of course I’m tired. I was up all night trying to figure out exactly why Madonna is on the cover of Vanity Fair’s 2008 Green Issue.”

7. “I’m sorry, but attending your son’s Bar Mitzvah/daughter’s confirmation/sister’s wedding will offset my carbon footprint.”

6. When you’re pulled over for speeding, you say, “How about I give you 25 useful facts on solar power to make this whole thing go away? Okay, make it 50.”

5. You walked into that adult sex shop because you thought that sign read “We’re totally organic!”

4. “What do you mean, I can’t set up an industrial wind turbine farm in my front yard? What is this, Communist Russia?”

3. You tackled that distinguished gentleman on the street because you thought he shared Al Gore’s dreamy profile.

2. When you’re mistaken for a homeless woman, you explain you’re just taking “reduce, recycle, and reuse” to the next level.

1. “Oh, like you’ve never tried to run a Hummer off the road!”

Athletes Go Green

kbutler — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400

So it is summer Olympics time and athletes are converging on Beijing. And with China shutting down factories and limiting cars in an effort for clean air, the environment has never been more at the forefront. So in honor of the earth-friendly efforts the world is putting forth, check out these athletes who are doing their part to make the world a little greener.

According to our friends at Grist.org, there are several athletes who deserve a hand in the air “woot woot!” And I’m going to lead with my hometown team, the Philadelphia Eagles, who basically kick Redskin/Cowboy/Any other random team that the Eagles play in the Superbowl which is the only time I really watch football anway. (And thanks to RiverWired reader Derek Mast for pointing out that the Eagles don't play the Redskins or Cowboys in the Superbowl because of some league sameness....am I still writing?)

First off, the Eagles launched a Go Green initiative in 2003. They’re planting trees all over Philly and recently started a recycling education program for their fans, They have also added their cleats to the Stop Global Warming Virtual March. Even the Eagles cheerleaders have gotten into the game, releasing an “eco-sexy” calendar printed on recyclable paper. The calendar has the cheerleaders in organic cotton bikinis and jewelry made from natural materials and recycled products. See girls, you can totally go green and still be hot.

Next we have Yao Ming, who has spoken out against the hunting of sharks for their apparently-delicious fins in his native China. He also did a PSA for WildAid about the illegal poaching of animals. Who knew the big bad b-ball player had such a sensitive side? Then there’s Kelly Slater, the eight time world surfing champion. He sponsors the Kelly Slater Competition to raise money for Reef Check, an organization that aids the ocean’s coral reefs. Tammy Van Wisse is a world-record-breaking marathon who spent more than three months in 2000 free styling the full length of the Murray River in Australia to generate funds and support for clean-up efforts. And finally, tennis legend Billie Jean King has put her name behind a green housing and fitness community to open in Palm Springs, California.

So props to these good, green atheletes!

The Goods on Eco-Friendly Sunscreen

kbutler — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

So unless you are currently wintering on the moon, you’re probably slathering on sunscreen every time you leave the house. You follow the trends, you listen to celebrity dermatologists who mantra “sun block....sun block.....sunblock." (Shout out to my UCLA dermatologist Dr. Joan Wu!) And if you’re anything like me, you have an assortment of sunscreens – sunscreen for your hands, sunscreen for your face, sunscreen for riding in the car, sunscreen for serious hikes, sunscreen for serious hikes when you’re wearing a hat, sunscreens for sitting in a darkened room with the shades drawn while you rock back and forth, traumatized by so much sunscreen.

…Anyhoo, if you go buy what’s readily available, that’s a lot of chemicals to be pouring on your skin. Not to mention, if you’re into water sports, you’re transferring those chemicals into into whatever body of water you’re splashing around. For example, the Great Barrier Reef is negatively impacted by suntan oils, lotions and products. They affect the coral ecosystem because sunscreens cause the rapid and complete bleaching of hard corals, even at extremely low concentrations.

So what’s an eco-warrior to do in the sun? Check out below a great list of sunscreen brands that won’t kill you or the environment you swim around in.

There’s the Rare Natural Care product line. 100% vegan, natural with certified organic and eco-certified ingredients, their products are free of potentially harmful ingredients, synthetic chemicals, parabens, alcohol, and more bad stuff.

Aubrey Organics offers a great line of sun blocks that are environmentally safe and packaged in recyclable material. They are all natural, safe, and effective.

There is the Kiss My Face line, which is based completely on essential oils and eco-friendly ingredients. It also smells great aka you won’t walk around smelling like intense herbal remedies.

Finally, there’s the UV Natural line, which was has just been ranked #1 by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). UV Natural claims to be the safest and most effective sunscreen sold in the world. The entire range of UV Natural sunscreens protect against the full spectrum of UV light - UV A1, A2, B and C.

Tips to Throw A Green Party

scleaver — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

It’s no surprise that this year’s Democratic Convention will be a politically correct affair, but what that really means is that the new patriotic colors are red, white, blue, AND green. In an effort to make this the most sustainable, green convention “in the history of the planet,” as Denver’s Democratic mayor John Hickenlooper told the Wall Street Journal, organizers are scrambling to stockpile unionized USA labor-made, organic cotton fanny packs and baseball caps and stock the pantry with local food.

November will be here before you know it, so here’s how to party like the Democrats at your own green political bash:

1. Email invites: Though the Republicans aren’t getting in on most of the green hype, they are saving trees by sending out convention invites via email instead of paper.

2. Color code your food: The Democractic convention will have a rainbow on every plate, according to the Journal, “each meal should include ‘at least three of the following colors: red, green, yellow, blue/purple, and white.’ (Garnishes don’t count.)”

3. Be flexible: To keep their food as local as possible, Denver’s vendors are trying to rework recipes to incorporate local wines and ingredients.

4. Reconsider flatware: While Dems are using compostable tableware, often shipped from Asia, some organizers are wondering if it would be better to use local china plates and wash them? It’s your party, you decide.

5. Establish a “trash brigade.” To accomplish the goal of reusing, recycling, or composting 85 percent of all convention waste, Andrea Robinson, director of greening for the convention, has 900 volunteers who will man the trash stations to make sure that trash ends up in reuse, recycle, or compost bins.

6. Go virtual: Fred L. Smith, Jr. president of the libertarian think tank Competitive Enterprise Institute “suggested the Democrats could really shrink their footprint by staging a virtual-reality convention: ‘Just have everyone stay at home with their laptops, sitting in their pajamas, interacting through their avatars.’”

Photo from Oriental Trading where you can get green (colored) balloons.

Debbie Does Hollywood Up with a New Eco Boutique

ckane — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Environmentally conscious fashion designer Deborah Lindquist, who is renowned for her recycled cashmere creations and her bustier-incorporating wedding dresses, just opened a boutique in Toluca Lake. Ecorazzi has photos from the opening here. Lindquist's designs have been spotted on stars from the (animal unfriendly, fur-wearing) Sharon Stone to (animal-friendly, fur-eschewing) Pink, as well as Gwen Stefani, Keyshia Cole, Paris Hilton, Demi Moore, Jessica Simpson, and Charlize Theron. Her designs use recycled fabrics like repurposed saris and kimonos, and vintage scarves, as well as hemp, organic cotton, and organic wool.

At that premiere was Gorgeously Green author Sophie Uliano, who told Ecorazzi, “I save my money and buy one unique piece, like Deborah Lindquist, and it will be a timeless classic.” She's echoing an old-fashioned yet timely sentiment that iconic fashion designer Vivienne Westwood has been trying to tell everyone lately. To paraphrase, instead of buying so many disposable clothes, just choose a few well-made pieces that look great on you. You will spend more, but they will last longer.

Image: Econouveau

Lenny Kravitz Hearts The Brazilian Jungle

kbutler — Fri, 23 May 2008 01:00:00 -0400

In yet another reason to stop the de-forestation of the Brazilian jungle – Lenny Kravitz has been living in it! Recent reports revealed that Kravitz apparently wanted to “get away” after his last album failed to do as well as he hoped. So, after performing in Rio, he stayed for four months on a remote farm and was tempted to stay for good.

But, luckily, the beauty and allure of the Brazilian jungle proved to be just what Lenny needed, and he returned to his old life “with a fresh outlook.” The Brazilian jungle, however, remains heartbroken and prays for a quick reconciliation with the ultra-dreamy rocker.

Top 10 Green Complaints about Hollywood

kbutler — Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Hollywood has long been a supporter of green issues. But what happens when the entertainment industry falls short of eco-expectations?

TOP TEN GREEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT HOLLYWOOD

10. When an agent buys a Prius and nobody notices.

9. That Eric Bana and Christian Bale have yet to star in a movie that brings together essential green concepts like “shirtless,” “well-oiled,” and “loin-cloth.”

8. Callous producers who forced a certain 30-something skin-conscious female television writer to picket in ozone-depleted sunlight for three months in a row.

7. Why pay $15 to see tidal waves and earthquakes destroy the planet when you can watch The Weather Channel for free?

6. Melting glaciers aren’t that interesting – unless they’re shot on a digital hand-held crashing through the streets of Manhattan!

5. In Baywatch, no one ever seemed to be actually watching the Bay.

4. No Academy Award for greenest celebrity.

3. Actresses whose body parts aren’t organic.

2. That you can’t get green props for Botoxing. After all, it is an organic plague.

1. A rather inconvenient lack of sex and violence in An Inconvenient Truth.

We Love Us Some Ed Begley, Jr.

kbutler — Fri, 09 May 2008 01:00:00 -0400

Before there was Sundance, before there was green swag… Before there was a Vanity Fair cover featuring Julia Roberts dressed as a tree nymph, there was one celebrity who stood above the rest. There was Ed Begley, Jr.

From turning up at Hollywood events on a bike, to living in a self-sufficient home, to befriending RFK Jr. way before Clooney had him on speed dial, Ed deserves a shout-out for a lifetime of green achievement. Not only is he an award-winning conservationist, Ed also promotes his own line of all-natural household cleaners called Begley’s Best.

We tip our hemp hat to you, Ed Begley Jr. And don’t sweat not getting the Vanity Fair cover. After all, not everyone can pull off a leaf garland.

Green Porno? Isabella Rossalini Explains How Bees Do It -- See It Here!

ckane — Mon, 05 May 2008 21:22:15 -0400

Soo...Isabella Rosselini teamed up with Sundance channel to make short humorous films about the sex lives of insects and other critters like the earthworm. I know, not this old story again, right? Just kidding. The series of eight one-minute-long films are written, directed by, and starring Isabella Rossellini as a bee, dragonfly, praying mantis, and more.

"I was always fascinated by the infinite, strange, and 'scandalous' ways that insects copulate," Isabella said in a press release.

The simple, colorful, cartoonish look of the series was created by Sundance especially for viewing on mobile phones, iPhones and iPods--the "third screens," but the movies can also be watched on your old-fashioned computer monitor here.

Exactly what the green connection here is less clear, other than insects being part of the natural environment of which people are now more consious. "That was my green intervention. It was to make people more aware of animal life," Isabella said.

Oh-kaaay.

Image: Sundance