March 11th, 2010 by Editor

“The dress goes on. It feels amazing. Orsola de Castro and her team have excelled themselves. It is exactly what I wanted to end this challenge. Deep, sumptuous blacks, a mix of materials, a subtle drape and old Hollywood detailing. I can’t wait to tell people that it’s made from waste!”

“Everything feels so precious – the dress, the shoes (Roger Vivier) and the bag, which is made from leftover scraps from Bruno Frisoni at Roger Vivier’s office cupboard. It is like a bejeweled cloud!”

– Livia Firth writing on her “Green Carpet Challenge” sitefor Vogue.com. You can see more pictures of herOscar night dress here.

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March 11th, 2010 by Editor

Have you been desperately craving a couple of fresh new eco-themed television shows to feast youreager greenie eyeson? Talk about impeccable timing —Planet Green’s got your back! The two year old eco-tainment cable channel “which is designed to activate people in the green space” is looking toward the future by embracing the trend of conscious, thoughtful living. As such, they want to sate our appetites by offering a diverse buffet of leafy green shows that will expand on their already engaging and provocative brand of sustainable lifestyle storytelling.

Beginning on Monday, March 29^th, they’ll be rolling out a tasty new programming block calledVERGE– championing “the misfits, mavericks and innovators who challenge the status quo and are on the verge of changing their world and creating a better tomorrow” – in the hopes that their fresh lineup will stoke our primal eco-hunger. Referring to their content as a natural evolution,Planet Greenis interested in inspiring viewers to become emotionally invested in the stories of today’s change-makers to such a degree that we might even adjust our mindsets and personally evolve as more thoughtful and caring global citizens.

Each day, seven days a week, viewers can tune into three unique hours of primetime programming that will complement their transition to a 24 hour schedule, including offerings fromEd Begley Jr. and documentarianMorgan Spurlockas well as new concepts likeFuture Food(about the technology-obsessed chefs behind Chicago’s Moto Restaurant) andBlood, Sweat and Takeaways(featuring the month long awakening of 6 fast food junkies as they digest the dark side of how their beloved eats are really produced). Along with returning favorites like theAnnabelle Gurwitch-hostedWA$TEDare a few additional eco-specific shows to keep an eye out for:

TheFabulous Beekman Boys, which follows the adventures of two would-be-farmers who are a little too cosmopolitan for their own good.

Planet Mechanics,featuring the experiences of two engineers that are determined to fix the world, one DIY project at a time.

Operation Wild,which chronicles the real-life eco-warrior experiences of Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission officers while they’re on the clock.

Greensburg, theLeonardo DiCaprio-produced epic docu-series which details the comprehensive rebuilding and eco-transformation of one Kansas town that was entirely leveled back in 2007.

Sounds lip-smackin’ good — time to get yourcouch potatoon!

ViaPR Newswire

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March 10th, 2010 by Editor

Back in 1994, before theSea Shepherdhad their own television show or were as well-known as they are today, the anti-whaling group bought a Norwegian military submarine for $250,000.

Even then, Paul Watson and company were flirting with some high-tech options to fend off whalers.

The sub, built in 1988, was designed to infiltrate harbors and other small bodies of water. It ran on diesel, could dive to 300ft, and stay underwater for three days.According to a news report, Norway sold the vessel was sold to a private company which sold it to a Swedish Salvage company and eventually the Sea Shepherd. Paul Watson personally delivered the 27-foot sub via flatbed truck on a four-day trek from Southern California to Seattle. It was christened the “Mirage”.

The intent was to disguise the sub as a full-grown orca whale in an attempt to scare gray whales away from tribes hunting them in Neah Bay, Washington. San Francisco artist George Sumner was commissioned for the artwork. Captain Watson also considered adding hydrophonic speakers that could blast orca sounds as far as two miles away. Sounds of gray whales being attacked by orcas were also considered.

It was also about this time that the Canadian Navy caught wind of the sub purchase and made it known publicly that “no one at Sea Shepherd knew anything about operating a submarine and it was ridiculous for Sea Shepherd to acquire one.” This led to Paul Watson issuing the famous retort of, “Since World War II, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has boarded more ships, rammed more ships, engaged in more high seas confrontations and sunk more ships than the Canadian Navy. They are hardly in a position to presume to judge what we are competent or capable of doing.”

Oddly, the Sea Shepherd never did use the Mirage. It would journey with them on their flagshipWhales Forevertightly secured in an on-deck cradle, but never saw action. Whether the risk of taking it out was just too great — or the operation too complex, is not known. It did bring some good press for the organization — which as we know they are masters of — but eventually was sold off in 1999.

To see a picture of the Sea Shepherd sub (and Paul Watson’s pretty hair),click here.

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March 10th, 2010 by Editor

With Earth Hour a little less than two weeks away, organizers have announced that participation for this year’s event will be greater than last year’s stunning turnout.

Already, 92 countries (including all of the G20) are on-board — trumping the 88 in 2009. Countries and regions involved for the first time include the remote island nation of Madagascar, Kosovo, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Mongolia, Cambodia, Czech Republic, Paraguay, Ecuador and the US Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands in the Pacific Ocean amongst others.

“Typically we see a big jump in the number of cities and towns taking part in the last few days before the lights go out, but to see such strong support already is fantastic,” said Andy Ridley, Earth Hour’s Executive Director and Co-Founder.

The Las Vegas Strip, Mount Rushmore, Sea World, the Empire State Building and the Golden Gate Bridge are just some of the landmarks in the U.S. that will either dim or go dark starting at 8:30pm on the 27th. Click here tolearn more about Earth Hourand how you can participate.

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March 9th, 2010 by Editor

We all know a plant-based diet is one of the best ways to improve Mother Earth’s health, but did you know it’s also a kickass way to improve human health, too?!

Take for instanceRuben Studdard— theAmerican Idolwinner who recently lost 100 pounds by going VEG. Ruben explained his weight-loss onThe Wendy Williams Show, saying, ”I went to vegetarianism about a year-and-a-half ago, and then about 6 months ago I started being completely vegan.” We love that story!

Ruben continues to explain how incredible vegan food is and brags about his vegan mac and cheese and greens. Yum!

Don’t believe veganism can take off the pounds? Just take a look atThe Biggest LosertrainerBob Harperwhorocks a vegetarian(close to vegan) diet and constantly promotes veganism as a healthy way to live.

Check out Ruben’s appearance onThe Wendy Williams Showbelow and visitGoVeg.comto get your free vegetarian starter kit.

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March 9th, 2010 by Editor

Who wouldn’t want to commemorate a highly covetedAcademyaward win forBest Documentaryby crowning a glorious evening with a tasty bit of sushi in a luxe restaurant? For the victorious filmmakers of this year’s winning expose on theJapanesedolphin industry, they’d be easily deserving of such a culinary indulgence, but instead of basking in the glow of their win for “The Cove”, they instead chose to engage in a sushi sting operation that dated as far back as October 2009. Clearly, a documentarian’s work is never done.

Launched in cooperation with federal law enforcement officials, associate producerCharles Hambletonfirst heard suspicious rumblings that whale was being served up at a swanky eatery calledThe Humpand decided to appoint himself as an undercover fact finder. Outfitting two of his fellow colleagues (andequally ardent animal activists) with a tiny camera to capture the blow-by-blow of theirchef-selected omakase mealon two separate occasions, the squeamish diners covertly tucked what was described as “whale” intoZiplockbags for later DNA tissue analysis by the associate director of Oregon State University’sMarine Mammal Institute,Scott Baker.

As it turns out, the meat was indeed from theIUCN Red ListedSei Whale which, by last count, had worldwide numbers of roughly 54,000 in 2006. The subject of massive global commercial whaling efforts during the latter end of the 19th and 20th centuries, the endangered acquatic mammal — which can reach 66 feet in length and weigh a hefty 45 tons — is now for the most part internationally protected despite limited allowances forJapanandIceland. In spite of this fact, it is somewhat of an unspoken rule that whale flesh is served in high-endJapanesesushi restaurants. The protein source is considered to be among the most reliable and stable food sources in that country (despite containing very high levels of toxic methyl mercury) but inAmerica? EvenBakeradmitted to being shocked.

In the meantime, theHumprestaurant has no comment other than what their attorney said in a recent telephone interview: “We’re going to look into the allegations and try to determine what is true.” The result of these covert operations is still playing out, but just last week, federal officials took the information gathered thus far so seriously that they arrived at theHumpin person to locate marine mammal parts and any other documentation they could secure. If the restaurant is found officially guilty of possessing or selling any creature named under theMarine Mammal Protection Act, the guilty party will be subject to a $20,000 fine or one year in the slammer. Interestingly, they were charging their clientele $60 a pop for thick pink slices of somethingclearly identified as whale, so it will be interesting to see how they squirm out of this one.

ViaThe New York Times

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March 9th, 2010 by Editor

It’s been almost a year since we’ve heard anything aboutAdrian Grenier’sgreen shopping app for mobile devices called “EcoHero” and we’re starting to think it’s gone belly up.

TheEntouragestar announced a collaboration with companyBig in Japan— the same people behind the popular mobile hit ShopSavvy —in May of 2009 to develop the app, but has been quiet ever since.According to online docs, a release in August 2009 for the Android platform was planned, followed by one for the iPhone in September. The app’s development was of such interest, that evenForbes picked up the story saying,

The new app, called ecohero, will incorporate ShopSavvy’s barcode-scanning technology to help consumers weigh products’ environmental and health impact. On-screen, the app resembles a “utility belt” that rotates with the swipe of a finger. It will launch this fall with six “micro-applications.” The group plans to add more “tools” to the belt in the future, including “lite” versions of existing eco-friendly mobile apps.

If the app is dead, it’s almost certainly because of a lack of sponsorship — something Grenier and partner Alex Muse were actively seeking. That, and perhaps the sheer amount of data mining for such an app was just too overwhelming and/or unavailable.

Nevertheless, if you’re in the market for a green iPhone app,check out Inhabitat’s great list of useful ones right here. Goodbye, EcoHero!

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March 9th, 2010 by Editor

To help get viewers interested in the premiere of its new nature series,LIFE, Discovery Channel is taking over the screens of seven of its major networks for two hours on March 21st.

In addition to Discovery Channel, LIFE will debut simultaneously on TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Investigation Discovery, Planet Green and Discovery Health Channel from 8-10PM ET. After that, with that taste hopefully getting viewers hungry for more, the series will continue with 10 more episodes solo on Discovery Channel.

“PLANET EARTH captivated the world unlike any other natural history series before or since…until now,” said Clark Bunting, president and general manager, Discovery Channel and president, Science Channel. “LIFE embodies Discovery’s 25-year mission to satisfy viewers’ curiosity about the world and its inhabitants. We want to give as many viewers as possible the opportunity to experience LIFE in its premiere telecast; we are confident they will be astounded.”

For more info on the series,hit the official site here.

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March 8th, 2010 by Editor

Last night,The Cove, a documentary which details the annual killing of dolphins in a National Park at Taiji, Wakayama, in Japan, took home the 2010 Best Documentary Academy Award and we couldn’t be happier!

Earlier this week, we reportedthatBen Stillerwas pulling for the film, saying, “If the movie wins, it will make a huge difference. I’m pulling for it for sure.” Of course,Hayden Panettiere, who appears in the film, was also crossing her fingers for The Coveand recently promoted it inSELF Magazine.

In his acceptance speech,The CoveproducerLouie Psihoyossaid:

“I just want to say it was an honor to work on this film and to try make an entertaining film that also tries to enlighten everybody. I have to thankJim Clarkwho financed the film and who was also kind of the guiding wisdom behind the film,Paula DuPre Presman, my producing partner, and my hero,Rick O’Barry, who is not only a hero to this species but to all species.”

We agree!

Shortly after the win, a few of our favorites took to Twitter to share their excitement, includingThe Biggest LosertrainerJillian Michaels, who said, “I AM SO GLAD THE COVE WON!!! Thank god. Please text Dolphin to 44144 to sign the petition to stop the slaughter of Dolphins from your phone.”

Are you excited aboutThe Cove’ssuccess? Chime in and share your thoughts!

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March 8th, 2010 by Editor

WillJames Cameronslam Chevron at tonight’s Oscars? Rebecca Tarbotton, Acting Executive Director of the Rainforest Action Network,is hoping for just that.

Drawing a comparison between the story of Avatar and the real-life drama of the Indigenous Ecuadorean people who are battling Chevron, Tarbotton is calling on the award winning director to stand by his promise to use the movie to inspire mass environmental activism. If Avatar wins an Oscar, she hopes Cameron will expose Chevron’s actions in Ecuador during his acceptance speech.

According toChevronToxico, from 1964 to 1990 while drilling in the Ecuadorian Amazon, Texaco – which merged with Chevron in 2001 – dumped more than 18 billion gallons of toxic wastewater and spilled approximately 17 million gallons of crude oil in the region. Illegal environmental practices resulted in contamination of soil, groundwater, and surface streams which has caused the indigenous people to suffer cancers, birth defects, and miscarriages. Through the largest environmental class-action lawsuit of all time, Ecuadorians are demanding that Chevron clean up the mess it inherited.

Tarbotton writes, “If DirectorJames Cameronaccepts an Academy Award … he should also let his legions of fans know that while Pandora is fictional, what is happening to communities in Ecuador because of Chevron’s actions is as real as it gets.”

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