Look To The Stars News: Al Gore

Richard Branson Reflects On Antarctic Visit: Occupy World Street

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Richard Branson has reflected on his trip to Antarctica, with his son Sam suggesting the need for an “Occupy World Street” movement.

Al Gore and Branson have been in the frozen continent during the last week to view first-hand the effects of climate change, and have been blogging about what they have witnessed.

“The global community has proven it can tackle threats like acid rain, CFCs, and detecting the whales. Why not climate change?,” blogged Branson. "The problem with climate change is that the vested interest has such huge financial resources that it is difficult to get the public (particularly in America) to see behind such huge propaganda.

Al Gore And Richard Branson Blog Climate Change From Antarctica

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:15:00 +0000

Al Gore and Richard Branson continued their fact-finding mission to Antarctica yesterday by visiting the Weddell Sea.

The pair are on the frozen continent to witness first-hand the effects of climate change, with Gore comparing what he finds with what he saw when he last visited Antarctica 22 years ago.

“Like the rest of the Southern Ocean, the body of water that surrounds Antarctica, [the Weddell Sea] is home to diverse ecosystems that are filled with unique and astonishing wildlife,” blogged Gore. "And like oceans everywhere, the impacts of climate change are becoming more apparent.

Al Gore And Richard Branson Witness Climate Change In Antarctica

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:05:00 +0000

Al Gore and Richard Branson are currently en route to Antarctica to witness first-hand the effects of climate change.

The trip – organized by Gore’s Climate Reality Project – sees the former Vice President return to the continent for the first time in 22 years.

“The Antarctic Peninsula, which juts northward toward South America, is lined with ice-covered mountains and surrounded by abundant wildlife in the sea,” he blogged. "But even on this continent that looks and feels pristine, a troubling process is underway because of global warming.

George Clooney's Signed Jacket Up For Auction To Benefit RFK Center

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:30:00 +0000

Celebrities spanning the worlds of politics, sports and entertainment have joined together for The Robert F. Kennedy Center’s annual Ripple of Hope Holiday Auction.

Icons including Madeleine Albright and George Clooney have donated exclusive experiences and VIP access to raise funds for the organization’s integral human rights work. Bidding is currently live and runs through December 15th at leading charity auction site charitybuzz.com at www.charitybuzz.com/RFKHoliday2011.

Michael Moore, Martin Sheen, Mark Hamill and many more celebrities have donated exclusive experiences to raise funds for the 42-year-old organization dedicated to providing an ongoing base of support to human rights defenders around the world. Additional notable participants include: Jenna Fischer, George Clooney, Rosie Perez, Debra Messing, Bill Maher, Michael Lombardi, John Starks, Ray Romano, James Earl Jones, Chris Matthews, Marc Summers, Florence Henderson, Kate Mulgrew, Jay Leno, Joe Scarborough, Steve Case, Robert Wolf, Austan Goolsbee, Paul Volcker, Mort Zuckerman and Dr. Madeleine Albright, with more A-listers joining the auction each day.

Al Gore Launches Climate Reality Project

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Al Gore has launched a fantastic new climate initiative as part of his Alliance For Climate Protection, which he hopes will expose the full scale of the climate crisis.

“The climate crisis is a reality, and we are seeing its impacts in extreme weather all around the world,” he writes on his blog. "Using the same deceitful playbook as big tobacco used years before to mislead the public about the dangers of smoking, oil and coal companies and their allies are now deceiving the public about climate change. They have nearly unlimited resources to sow doubt, but we have one critical advantage: Reality is on our side.

“That’s why today I’m launching a new, global campaign to broadcast the reality of the climate crisis. This campaign is called The Climate Reality Project. We will invite people to discover for themselves the truth about climate change, and reject the mistruths they hear every day.

Paul McCartney Leads Celebrity Friends For Climate Week

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Sir Paul McCartney, actress Sienna Miller, TV presenter Michael Palin, supermodel Lily Cole and designer Vivienne Westwood are just a few of the first stars to back Climate Week – a new campaign aiming to generate action on climate change across society.

Climate Week is a supercharged national occasion that offers an annual renewal of our ambition and confidence to combat climate change. It is for everyone wanting to do their bit to protect our planet and create a secure future.

Climate Week will shine a spotlight on the many positive steps already being taken in workplaces and communities across Britain. The power of these real, practical examples – the small improvements and the big innovations – will then inspire millions more people.

Al Gore Reveals Environmental Catastrophe Waiting To Happen

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Environmentalist Al Gore has revealed the shocking findings of an Associated Press investigation into abandoned oil and gas wells. In his blog, the former US vice president described the impending disaster that these wells could cause.

“More than 27,000 abandoned oil and gas wells lurk in the hard rock beneath the Gulf of Mexico, an environmental minefield that has been ignored for decades,” Gore quoted from the AP report. “No one – not industry, not government – is checking to see if they are leaking. The oldest of these wells was abandoned in the late 1940s, raising the prospect that many deteriorating sealing jobs are already failing.”

Since regulations do not require temporarily abandoned wells, some of which have sat in limbo since the 50s and 60s, to be plugged the same way as permanently closed wells, the potential for leakage and therefore risk to the environment is great.

Leonardo DiCaprio And Edward Norton Support Amazon Conservation Project

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:30:00 +0000

Leonardo DiCaprio and actor Edward Norton have taken a stand to protect the Ecuadorian Amazon from oil extraction.

By meeting with Ecuador’s Vice President Lenin Moreno in Puerto Rico on the Galapagos Islands on April 9, both Hollywood stars hope to become ambassadors for the Yasuni-ITT natural reserve project.

Dicaprio, Norton, Glenn Close and Chevy Chase – just to name a few – have expressed deep interest in donating $1 million to Ecuador’s proposal to leave untouched about 850 million barrels of oil underground in the oil rich reserve of the Yasuni-ITT.

Melissa Etheridge And Rob Thomas Join Live Earth Run For Water

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Live Earth has announced that two-time Grammy Award-winner and one-time Academy Award winner for Best Song for the Al Gore documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” Melissa Etheridge, and multi-platinum three-time Grammy Award-winner Rob Thomas, will perform live at the Los Angeles and Atlanta Dow Live Earth Run for Water events, respectively.

The largest worldwide water initiative on record to help combat the global water crisis, the Dow Live Earth Run for Water is a series of 6km run/walks (the average distance many women and children walk every day to get water), culminating with water education villages and live musical performances.

“I’m a long-time environmental advocate and believe strongly that it is our duty as a society and as individuals to preserve our planet and its resources,” said Melissa Etheridge. “I want to lend my name and time to this event because the global water crisis is an environmental issue that affects nearly one billion people on the planet and through this event we can raise awareness and money to help address it.”

LTTS Exclusive Series: After-School All-Stars - Part 7

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Look To The Stars is proud to present the seventh and final part of a series of pieces written by students from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s After-School All-Stars.

We asked the students from Griffith Middle School in East LA what they would like to see changed about the world, and which celebrities they think would best be able to lead the way. Over the last seven days the kids have written about Barack Obama, Leonardo DiCaprio, Al Gore, Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez. The stories have all been written with careful consideration and hope, and we were impressed with the scope of answers.

The After-School All-Stars program strives to improve kids’ lives by nurturing their minds, bodies and spirits through programs that incorporate independent learning, academics and enrichment activities. For more information, visit AfterSchoolAllStars.org

LTTS Exclusive Series: After-School All-Stars - Part 2

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:26:00 +0000

Look To The Stars is proud to present part two of a series of pieces written by students from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s After-School All-Stars.

Cause: The Economy, Celebrity: Al Gore

Paul McCartney Goops For Meat Free Monday

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:30:00 +0000

Paul McCartney turned to Gwyneth Paltrow’s website, www.goop.com, to promote his Meat Free Mondays initiative.

“Ok, here’s the story on Meat Free Monday,” wrote Sir Paul. "In 2006, the United Nations issued a report which stated that the livestock industry as a whole was responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than the whole of the transport sector put together.

“I found this interesting particularly because people at the UN are not a vegetarian society and therefore, could not be accused of bias.

David Suzuki’s Legacy Lecture To Become A Feature Documentary

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:38:00 +0000

Environmentalist, activist, scientist, David Suzuki gave his highly anticipated Legacy Lecture this month to a sold-out audience. The 73-year-old’s presentation was based on the premise, “If I had one last lecture to give, what would I say?”

His Legacy took the audience to places that have shaped Suzuki’s life, both dark and light, such as the WWII Japanese camp in British Columbia where his family was interned, to Hiroshima where his grandparents, who took the Canadian government’s one-way-ticket offer after the war, moved and died within a year, and to Haida Gwaii where Suzuki was adopted into the eagle clan.

But the talk also went into Suzuki’s long-time frustration at the political obsession for economic growth at the sacrifice of nature.

The Stars On Climate Change - What Do They Think?

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:00:00 +0000

October 15 marks the third annual Blog Action Day, when bloggers around the world focus on one prominent issue through individual ideas, actions, and thoughts.

This year’s topic is climate change, and Look To The Stars has delved into our archives to find 13 quotes relating to the thoughts of some of the most noteworthy celebrities who are devoted to finding solutions to global poverty.

Hugh Jackman: "You can’t separate the issues of climate change and poverty. They are inextricably linked. Having been to Ethiopia and seen these farmers, seen the battle they face from what is a problem that the developed countries have brought on many of these developing countries, there is a justice, there is a gap we need to fill.

Gore Gives Some Hope on Global Warming

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:30:00 +0000

When former American Vice President Al Gore came out with An Inconvenient Truth, his 2006 documentary on global warming, songwriter Jill Sobule sought to lighten up the message a bit. Her satirical lyrics went:

_Strolling along in Central Park, everyone’s out today
The daisies and dogwoods are all in bloom, oh what a glorious day

Susan Sarandon To Protest For Capitol Climate Action

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Susan Sarandon’s soft and soothing voice narrates a new public service announcement urging the public’s participation in an act of peaceful civil disobedience early next month.

In an effort to bring attention to the climate crisis and the coal-fired power plants that are a contributor to global warming in the US, thousands are expected to rally at the Spirit of Justice Park and then move towards the Capitol Power Plant on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

“The American people will take a stand at Congress’ own coal-fired power plant,” says Sarandon, “a glaring symbol of coal’s hold over our government.”

Cate Blanchett Inspired By Al Gore

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:30:00 +0000

Australian actress Cate Blanchett has opened up about being inspired by Al Gore and the way he helped her become a warrior for the Environment.

“We all know the facts about dangerous climate change,” she told Mindfood magazine in Australia. "It’s very easy to shift from despair to suicidal depression in the wake of that information.

“In 2006 the inspirational Al Gore came out to ignite the Climate Project (TCP), which is generously supported by the ACF, where citizens from all walks of life in Australia are indoctrinated and empowered with the information [and a version of the slide show featured in Gore’s documentary film] An Inconvenient Truth to go out into their communities and spread the word.

Oceana Awards To Honor Clinton And Sting

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:00:00 +0000

Bill Clinton, Sting, and Trudie Styler will be honored at the annual Oceana Partners Awards this weekend.

Chaired by Sam Waterston and Ted Danson and hosted by Pierce Brosnan, Ron Howard, and Robert Redford, the event honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions through their personal commitment to the cause of protecting and conserving the environment. Past honorees include Ted Turner, Don Henley, James Cameron, Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, and Christopher Reeve. Past hosts have included Salma Hayek, Nicolas Cage, Nicole Kidman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Ron Meyer and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Bill Clinton has been selected as this year’s recipient because his Clinton Climate Initiative – launched in 2006 – works with over 40 of the world’s largest cities to reduce greenhouse emissions. Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler, were chosen due to their efforts to raise more than $25 million dollars through 15 benefit concerts for The Rainforest Foundation, which has now expanded to a network of interconnected organizations working in 23 countries around the globe.

Bono Joins The Voices At Clinton Global Initiative

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:30:00 +0000

Irish rock legend Bono is currently in New York, as one of the many attendees at the annual Clinton Global Initiative.

The 48-year-old singer joins Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Al Gore, Lance Armstrong, Muhammad Ali, Barbra Streisand and many other famous faces at the three-day conference that opened on Wednesday.

“It is extraordinary to me that you can find $700 billion to save Wall Street, and the entire G-8 can’t find $25 billion to save 25,000 children who die every day of preventable disease and hunger,” said the 48-year-old singer during a session of the conference. “Bankruptcy is a serious business – this is moral bankruptcy.”

Lance Armstrong To Announce Global Cancer Plan

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:00:00 +0000

Lance Armstrong is to make a special announcement today regarding the new global effort in the fight against cancer and his return to professional cycling at the Clinton Global Initiative being held in New York City.

The annual meeting launches at 10am ET today, with Bill Clinton, Bono, Al Gore, Queen Rania of Jordan and President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia all in attendance. The initiative brings together current and former heads of state, corporate leaders, celebrities and activists to address pressing issues like climate change and global health.

More than 12 million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer each year and eight million will die from the disease. And by 2010, cancer will be the leading cause of death worldwide. Yet a third of all cancers could be cured if detected early and treated adequately. For the past two years, the Lance Armstrong Foundation has researched ways to take their mission to other countries. Combined with Lance Armstrong’s return to professional cycling, the Clinton Global Initiative is the perfect vehicle to take the cancer fight international.

Stand Up To Cancer: Sherry Lansing Tells Us How And Why

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:30:00 +0000

Sherry Lansing was the chair of the Motion Picture Group of Paramount Pictures from 1992 to 2005, where she oversaw the release of more than 200 films including Academy Award winners Forrest Gump (1994), Braveheart (1995), and the highest grossing movie of all time, Titanic (1997).

A pioneering studio executive, Lansing is the first woman in the film industry to oversee all aspects of a studio’s motion picture production. She is currently involved with Stand Up To Cancer, a non-profit organization/website/TV special that hopes to enable cutting-edge research aimed at finding a cure to all types of cancer. Stars from film, television, sports, journalism and music will come together for the September 5th primetime television event to raise funds for cancer research, and it will feature live performances as well as filmed content giving viewers insight into cancer.

Look To The Stars recently caught up with Sherry Lansing to find out more about Stand Up To Cancer and its goals.

Gates Talks Innovation, Philanthropy and Post-Retirement Plans

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:15:29 +0000

Microsoft frontman Bill Gates spoke to students at Stanford earlier this month, praising young people for their innovation, and raising awareness for philanthropic work.

The talk began with a spoof video, during which Gates detailed his post-retirement plans. After retiring from his job at Microsoft later this year, Gates has a goal to break into the music industry. But, in the video, Jay-Z doesn’t have the heart to tell him that his chances are slim. And Bono tells him there is no chance of replacing The Edge as U2’s guitarist.

“Bill, we’ve, uh, we’ve talked about this before. We’re full up in the band, Bill. All positions are filled. I know… I know… I can’t just replace Edge because you got a high score on Guitar Hero.”

Bid Now For Rock 'N' Roll History

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:41:00 +0000

Just hours remain in a charity auction that offers an item for connoisseurs of Rock and arbiters of Roll. The guitar played by Nigel Tufnel (AKA Christopher Guest) of Spinal Tap at the London leg of Live Earth is up for sale in a once-in-a-lifetime event.

The guitar was custom-made for Guest by Ernie Ball Music Man, designers of quality guitars.

“Chris has been a loyal fan of Music Man instruments for years, so when he called me up looking for something to play before billions of people on 7-7-07, we started brainstorming the global warming concept immediately,” said Sterling Ball of the Ernie Ball Company. “Incredibly enough, most of those initial ideas made it onto the guitar, which turned out to be absolutely beautiful.”

2007 - The Year The Stars Gave Back

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:11:14 +0000

2007 was a year of giving, both on grand and not-so-grand scales. Celebrities from all fields, be it movies, music, sport or general entertainment, showed compassion beyond the call of duty, and in most cases had a lot of fun doing it.

Without a doubt, one of the biggest events of the year was Live Earth in July, where stars new and old shone in all of the corners of the Earth to raise awareness of the plight of the planet. The shows were generally well-received, and led to organizer Al Gore winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

But celebrities also participated in smaller, more personal acts of kindness in 2007. Harrison Ford, Calista Flockhart, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Melissa Gilbert, and Michael Douglas all donated their time to feed the hungry at the Los Angeles Mission, Fran Drescher launched the Cancer Schmancer Movement, and Ewan McGregor visited UNICEF projects during his epic motorcycle trip across Africa.

Alicia Keys - As I Am

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 09:02:56 +0000

Pop star and philanthropist Alicia Keys has written a personal message for fans – “Don’t Forget Africa”.

The message, published in the December issue of Seventeen magazine, urges fans to support Keep A Child Alive, the charity Keys co-founded in 2002 to raise support and money for children affected by AIDS in Africa.

“Keep A Child Alive funds the testing and treatment of HIV/AIDS in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda,” said the 26-year-old singer in her message. “One hundred percent of the donations go to clinics and orphanages in Africa and India. By visiting www.keepachildalive.org, and by starting a chapter in your high school or college, you can help save lives. You don’t want to grow up and say ‘How could millions of people be allowed to die from this illness when all the tools were there to prevent it?’”