Celebrity Hypocrites, attention getters, or just plain misunderstood?

Saving the environment has become more of a stylish seasonal trend to celebrities than an actual life style for a good cause. It seems that if some celebrities are only claiming to go "Green" in order to be included in the "cool list" of people who are actually making efforts. Many may call these celebrities a bunch of hypocrites that pretend to care, but in fact the environment its the least of their worries. In a recent Daily Mail article, they featured a list of celebreties like Madonna, Brangelina (Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie), John Travolta, Leonardo DiCaprio, Al Gore, and Barba Straisand amongs the biggest ECO-hypocrites.

John Travolta: Everyone knows that he is very much involved in eco-friendly projects and groups. That he tries to make a change by speaking out about global warming, etc. But does showing your face in public events to convince the world that we are killing the planet makes it Okay for him to fly around in a private jet? Do you think he tries to make himself feel better about his contribution to pollution by being part of these eco-friendly groups/events? That his interest for GREEN is more of a personal interest then for his love for humanity?

Barbara Streisand: Famous singer catering to the older generation, known for her classic singing ways is also among the list of eco-passionate celebrities. Her involvement in environmentalism have put her back in the limelight. The diva's efforts are appreciated by her fans and the public. What Daily Mail pointed out that placed her in the hypocrite list was that she owns X number of mansions and not one of them having eco-friendly construction. She drives in limos everywhere, private jets, you name it. She is rich enough to afford some solar panels, drive hybrid cars and live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Critics ask her to practice what she preaches and really join the environmentalist by acting on it.

Madonna: She was part of the Live Earth condert last year. Because of her participation in this event, she has receive a lot of Boo's on behave of the green activists community. People call her a hypocrite for claiming to care for the environment by being part of this event. Yet in fact she is well known for buying exotic animal fur coats and having stock shares in Coporate companies that have a huge impact on the environment. Another article by Fox News said that for Madonna "Green means money, not environmentalism", they said how Modanna uses the eco-friendly card to get more cash in her bank. She was also featured in the "Green" issue of Vanity Fair 2008, hypocrite anyone? It just makes you wonder if in fact she really cares.

So the most eco-hypocrite award goes to....... The material girl, Madonna!!!!
I personally think she should of keep it real and not try to convince people that she actually cares about the environment, but thats just my opinion.

What do you think about celebrities being involved in Green efforts? What would you do if you were in those celebrity's shoes?

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,288295,00.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=564215&in_page_id=1773

Karla,

Filler Up--Pond Scum!

Maybe if we start using pond scum we can save the corn for picnics and barbeques!
--Lucy

Unscrew America

Are you living in a cave? Then by now you know there are several EASY things you can do to go green. I happened to "Stumble Upon" a really FUN site called UnScrew America. It was the best 15 minutes I'd had all day. From learning how to plant your own bulb tree and watch it grow (I won't tell you..you'll just have to check it out for yourself) to"further unscrewing," this truly musically, interactive site gives readers tips on how you can help the environment. Well, it is all the stuff I've been sharing with you, but if you haven't' been paying attention, here they are again:

• turn off the tap when brushing your teeth
• replace your old light bulbs with energy efficient ones
• switch to organic produce and household products
• spread the word
• learn more about global warming

Unscrew America reminds me of when I was seven years old and the little "conjunction junction" cartoon would come on. If you like science, economics, or just want to check out fun animated website created go to teach you in the manner of teaching other seven-year-olds, check out this site. I'm far from being seven, but I liked it!!

unscrewamerica.og. Now get out off your computer and go unplug some appliances!

--Lucy

World Hunger and Ethanol Fuel

So the new craze seems to be using ethanol for fuel. It seemed like such a good idea in an effort to solve the fuel crisis, but now people are starving. Growing crops for ethanol is a great alternative, but the amount of wheat and crops used for fuel is incredible. The price alone for wheat has gone up an amazing amount in the past year and many people around the world are suffering. Now we have to ask ourselves what takes precedence, the cars consuming the crops or people consuming the crops? When I asked this same question to my friend, he said, "well those people were already hungry and I love my car". He is a guy who is really into his car but I think that world hunger is a way more important issue and there must be a much better alternative to fuel other than causing a food shortage. For more info check out http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2006/08/21/8383659/index.htm

Green Zebra for Sustainable Living

It seems to coincide that being frugal many times also benefits the environment. A friend of mine recently went to an Earth Day event to promote carpool and vanpool in the San Francisco Bay Area. He met up with the folks who work for Green Zebra who were generous enough to give him a copy of their 2008 publication.

I'm ashamed to admit that I had never before heard of this charitable organization that donates it's proceeds to San Francisco local public school yards and promotes sustainable businesses. Many of us who are choosing to go green want to support Eco-friendly businesses and services in our communities but don't know which directory to consult.

Green Zebra, a 300 page book of coupons, saves local residents of San Francisco, and Marin County thousands of dollars a year with two-for-one deals, FREE offers, and discounts. Aside from that, this little green gem provides invaluable information on how to "green" your lifestyle, includes a guide to safe seafood, provides a directory to Bay Area Farmer's Markets, and more!

I have a brand new Green Zebra book that I can use for the rest of 2008, but I'm willing to part with it if you're a San Francisco resident looking to green your lifestyle a bit more. Post on our blog what you're doing to reduce your global footprint. Also send me an email thegreenroomone@gmail.com with your contact information and I'll give the person with the most creative list my copy. If I get lots of great ideas, I'll hunt down more books or talk to the people at Green Zebra to make more available. So hurry, I'm waiting to hear from you! --Lucy

Swap-O-Rama this weekend!

Check out this event this weekend called the Swap-O-Rama. It's a place where you can go to swap your old clothes for other old clothes-recycle! Bring some, leave some, take some. This event will take place at the San Mateo County Fair May 3-4 from 11-5 pm. Also they will be having workshops to teach you how to create a new piece clothing from your old clothes or the new ones you've swapped with.

Homeygrown, the designer that was mentioned in an earlier blog, will be participating in this event. Check out their outfits from last years Swap-O-Rama below.

For more information on this event click on the link, http://www.swaporamarama.org/.

Eco-Fashions at Barneys

Eco-friendly fashions designs soon to be placed in New York’s upscale Barneys may appears (to me) more like a marketing strategy than a genuine concern on the environment.

After all, if the clothing designer wants to design apparel while minimizing his global footprint on the environment, why test? I suggest do it on moral judgment. Nonetheless, whether you pay $12.00 for a t-shirt at Target or $75 at Barneys, buying clothes, I like the idea that designers are going green wit their fashion albeit other motives.

Admittedly, I’ve never purchased an outfit from Target, but next time I’m in to pick up my GreenWorks, I’ll be headed to the clothing rack to look for upscale clothing at rock bottom prices. --Lucy