Look To The Stars News: Natural Resources Defense Council

Leonardo DiCaprio Opens e-Activism Center

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Leonardo DiCaprio opened a new e-activism centre in Santa Monica last week, which has been described as “a showcase for the highest possible level of sustainable design.”

The Leonardo DiCaprio e-Activism Center and the David Family Environmental Action Center use only recycled or recyclable materials, and 98% of the materials left over from dismantling the original building and constructing the new one were reused or recycled. Set up by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the new facilities aim to demonstrate how buildings can greatly reduce harm to the environment by minimizing the use of land, water, energy and materials.

“Half of all the world’s materials and resources, half of all forests, go into building production. Buildings consume twice the energy of autos, and emit twice the amount of carbon dioxide,” says NRDC Senior Scientist Rob Watson. “They also consume 80% of drinking water.”

The e-activism center has four high-speed Internet terminals linked to NRDC’s activist network to help visitors learn about environmental issues of immediate concern, and to influence public debate instantly by sending messages to government and corporate officials.

“Over the last three years, nearly five hundred thousand NRDC online activists have sent five million messages to public and corporate officials, helping again and again to tip the balance in favor of the environment,” said Dicaprio. “For the thousands of young people who’ll visit this building each year, I hope it will be the start of a lifetime of civic involvement.”

The center is located at 1314 Second Street in downtown Santa Monica, California. The e-Activism Center is open to the public every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm.

Jason Mraz Gives Eco Tips For Toilet Users

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Singer Jason Mraz has blogged some eco-tips with a difference on his MySpace page.

“Recent News from our friends at the [”Natural Resources Defense Council":http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/432-natural-resources-defense-council] say that Americans’ addiction to two-ply, super soft toilet paper is causing greater harm to our environment than our gas guzzling cars," he wrote. "In order to produce all that perfectly plush paper, companies must harvest tons of virgin trees, which the reaping of means less oxygen for the atmosphere to offset or all the carbon that seems to be frying us here on the surface.

“The US is the country that consumes the most forests specifically to fulfill [toilet needs]. If you travel abroad, you may find discomfort in the thin one-ply offered up pretty much everywhere else. But that’s because most other countries are more careful about their resourceful trees and/or use recycled and post-consumer paper in the manufacturing of toilet tissue.

“So I’m writing this today to invite you to buy only recycled or large percentage post consumer paper for your household, school or office. If you aren’t the one buying it, then encourage your janitorial staff to consider it. The paper isn’t nearly as soft, but it’s just as durable.”

Mraz goes on to explain some very useful Toilet Tissue Tips designed to help the environment.

“For more helpful blogs like this one, intended to enhance your life and the lives of others around you, check out www.SuperForest.Org. It’s my personal favorite.”

Leonardo DiCaprio Busy With Charity Events And Auctions

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Julia Louis Dreyfus is to host the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Gala in Southern California this month, and guests such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert Redford have already been confirmed.

The event will take place at the Beverly Wilshire on April 25, and will feature music by Maroon 5 and Rosanna Arquette. A short film featuring DiCaprio and Redford that outlines the accomplishments of NRDC’s Southern California office will also be shown.

“You can be tough doing bad things, and tough doing good things. NRDC, in my opinion, is tough doing good things,” said Robert Redford. The legendary actor, filmmaker and environmental advocate has been an NRDC trustee for more than 30 years. The group’s Southern California office, one of the first LEED Platinum green buildings in the world, was dedicated to Mr. Redford in 2003, which he said “fills me with an enormous sense of pride.”

“NRDC is probably the most effective environmental organization in the world,” said Leonardo DiCaprio, an NRDC trustee. “[They are] willing to take on major corporations and the government itself to hold them accountable for the environmental policy that’s out there.”

More information about the event can be found here.

DiCaprio has also launched an auction to celebrate Earth Day on April 22.

The star is auctioning memorabilia including signed costumes from his films and the chance to accompany him to the premiere of his latest film.

“By bidding on these items at ebay.com/globalgreen, people will help [”Global Green":http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/138-global-green] combat climate change and pursue important environmental imperatives, such as greening our nation’s schools, housing, cities and more," he said.

Stella McCartney Honored By NRDC

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Fashion designer Stella McCartney was honored by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) last week at their 11th annual Forces for Nature benefit, for her refusal to use leather or fur in her designs.

“We believe it is important to honor individuals who understand that environmental stewardship can and should play a role in the work they do and the products they produce,” said NRDC President Frances Beinecke in a press release. “Both Stella McCartney and David Zaslav demonstrate that you can be protectors of the environment and leaders of industry at the same time. Their trailblazing work in the environmental arena raises the bar, and we hope everyone in the media and fashion world will take note and follow their lead.”

In speaking out for fur- and leather-free fashion, McCartney says she would like to see an end to the 50 million animals that are killed each year to support the fashion industry. Besides the myth that the animals are all by-products of the meat industry, there are other environmental impacts that she pointed out, such as the water and chemicals needed to tan leather.

The Benefit’s universal theme was all about green. Not only did actor Alec Baldwin, who was MC for the event, arrive in a hybrid SUV, but the menu featured local, organically-grown, sustainably harvested ingredients, the wine was organic and there was no bottled water. All these little things had a big impact.

“It’s a real honor for me,” said McCartney, “to receive this award from such a worthy organization like the NRDC, fighting to preserve our planet’s future.”

The NBA Launches Green Week Initiative

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0000

The National Basketball Association (NBA), in partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), has announced that its inaugural NBA Green Week 2009 will tip off on April 2 and run through April 10.

During Green Week, the entire NBA family will team up to generate awareness and funding to protect the environment through special oncourt apparel, auctions to support environmental preservation organizations, hands-on community service projects, and the launch of a public service announcement featuring Hollywood icon, noted environmentalist and NRDC Trustee, Robert Redford. In addition, NBA.com will launch a new micro site, www.nba.com/green, featuring everything from greening tips for fans to interviews with NBA players.

As part of NBA Green Week 2009, adidas will outfit all players with 100 percent organic cotton adidas shooting shirts featuring the NBA Green logo. The Denver Nuggets, Charlotte Bobcats, and the Chicago Bulls will wear green-colored uniforms and socks made from 45 percent organic cotton during select home games throughout the week to raise additional environmental awareness. NBA.com will also host an online auction of Spalding basketballs, made from 40 percent recycled materials and autographed by NBA players. The auction will tip off on April 2 and continue through April 16, with all proceeds benefiting the NRDC.

“The NBA’s commitment to reduce its ecological impact and to help educate basketball fans worldwide about the importance of environmental protection confirms why this league is regarded as one of the world’s most responsible sports organizations,” said NRDC Senior Scientist Allen Hershkowitz, who coordinated the organization’s development of this work. “Besides the tangible public health benefits that this initiative will advance, having the NBA embrace ecological criteria in its operations represents a watershed in our nation’s movement toward environmental progress.”

Each of the league’s 30 teams will encourage fans to participate in greening efforts by hosting community service events, including tree plantings, recycling drives, park clean-up days, the creation of “green” Reading & Learning Centers using environmentally friendly materials, and putting on in-arena Go Green Awareness Nights featuring auctions to support environmental protection programs and promotions to encourage fans to implement green habits.

“With the guidance and support of NRDC, the league and our teams are implementing new and innovative measures to offset energy usage and waste production in our offices and arenas and at all of our events,” said NBA Executive Vice President of Social Responsibility and Player Programs Kathleen Behrens. “NBA Green Week 2009 serves as a reminder to fans that we can all work to reduce our environmental footprint.”

Last season, the NBA and NRDC launched the NBA Team Greening Advisor, www.greensports.org/nba, a Web-based environmental resource guide customized to help teams and arena operators identify ways to employ sound environmental practices. Green modifications are currently underway in many team arenas, including the US Airways Center, Staples Center, AT&T Center and Air Canada Centre. Modifications include installing solar panels and wind-powered energy sources to minimize energy consumption, putting in water-saving fixtures, purchasing energy credits and carbon offsets, and implementing recycling programs. The American Airlines Arena, home of the Miami Heat, is currently being considered by the U.S. Green Building Council for a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building certification. Several other NBA team arenas are in the process of applying for LEED green building certifications.

To further encourage fans to reuse and recycle during NBA Green Week, the NBA Store in New York City will host “Recycling Dreams,” a footwear drive to collect gently worn athletic shoes. Customers who bring in shoes will receive a 20 percent discount on their purchase of new athletic shoes. All donated footwear will go to Hoops 4 Hope, a global not-for-profit organization that supports youth development throughout southern Africa with programs that teach life skills through the game of basketball. In addition, the NBA Store, NBAStore.com, Dick’s Sporting Goods and select team retailers will feature the 100 percent organic cotton adidas shooting shirts, recycled Spalding basketballs, and Team Bean reusable shopping bags made from recycled materials, in addition to more environmentally friendly items, giving fans the opportunity to “buy green.”

This season, the NBA is taking steps to become a more environmentally responsible organization and will continue to explore ways of improving in this area. As part of its greening efforts around its signature events, the NBA recently purchased green energy credits to offset power usage for NBA All-Star 2009 and plans to implement additional eco-friendly measures while in Dallas for NBA All-Star 2010. To learn more about what the NBA and its teams are doing to “Go Green”, please go to www.nba.com/green.

Leonardo DiCaprio: A Big Green Help

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:30:00 -0000

In recognition for his significant and visible contribution toward helping the environment, and for inspiring kids to do the same, Nickelodeon will honor multi-Academy Award-nominated actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio with the first-ever “Big Green Help Award” at this year’s Kids’ Choice Awards on Saturday, March 28, at Pauley Pavilion on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, Calif.

Nickelodeon’s 22nd Annual Kids’ Choice Awards — featuring host Dwayne Johnson — will honor kids’ favorites from the worlds of film, music, sports and television in a star-studded live event.

The award — which will be presented to DiCaprio by longtime friend and fellow friend of the planet Cameron Diaz — is part of Nickelodeon’s Big Green Help campaign — a multiplatform, global pro-social campaign designed to empower kids to take action on the environment and connect them to energy saving and earth-friendly activities in their everyday lives. Created for the more than half of U.S. kids who say they are concerned about the environment, The Big Green Help aims to fashion a new generation of environmentalists for whom green will become not only a cause, but a way of life.

Leonardo DiCaprio has been a tireless promoter of green causes and events, and an avid environmentalist. He established the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in 1998 to foster increased awareness of environmental issues, and served as global chairman of Earth Day 2000.

DiCaprio recently co-wrote, co-produced and narrated the documentary The 11th Hour, which touches on the world economy, politics, personal transformation and environmental consciousness. DiCaprio is on the board of trustees of the Natural Resources Defense Council (a Big Green Help partner) and Global Green USA.

Kids can join DiCaprio to help better the environment by pledging on www.nick.com/biggreenhelp. On Earth Day (April 22, 9 p.m. ET/PT), Nickelodeon will “Power Down” for 60-seconds, celebrating the nearly two million kid-pledges to-date, and symbolizing kids’ commitments to be more environmentally conscious. On-screen messaging will ask kids to simultaneously turn off their lights and unplug their gadgets and devices signaling their year-long promise to engage in real-world environmental action. When they power back up, kids can go online and find real-world tactics they can take to help the environment.

Leonardo DiCaprio Makes Time For Charity

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Leonardo DiCaprio always has time for the environment, and now he can prove it with his new appointment as Ambassador for watchmaker TAG Heuer.

The 34-year-old actor has agreed to take over the role from Brad Pitt, and will wear a US$4,000 Carrera Day-Date watch in new print ads for the company this spring. Proceeds from the photoshoots will go to some of the major environmental causes DiCaprio supports, such as the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation – a non-prof he established to foster awareness of environmental issues through participation with organizations such as Natural Resources Defense Council, Global Green USA, the International Fund For Animal Welfare, and National Geographic Kids.

“It is a great day when a company as respected as TAG Heuer explores a different way to do business—selling products and giving back at the same time,” he said. “I’m very excited to start this new partnership, and look forward to a long relationship with TAG Heuer… TAG and I will be making donations to some of the most influential and effective environmental organizations around. Each and every day, these organizations are doing important work to ensure our planet’s resources future generations. Hopefully, our donations will help expand their reach and raise their profile.”

DiCaprio has made several films to educate the public about environmental issues, including 11th Hour. He also serves as the Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Pacific Palisades-based Reef Check Foundation. Last year he joined forces with Swiss watch manufacturer Jaeger-LeCoultre to confront global environmental issues and promote eco-friendly causes by creating the “Time to Care” program to benefit the Leonardo DiCaprio Fund at the California Community Foundation.

Robert Redford Wants To Preserve Wilderness

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Robert Redford joined members of Congress and a coalition of environmental, preservation and business groups in an effort to stop the Bureau of Land Management from auctioning Utah wilderness to oil and gas companies last month.

The 72-year-old actor joined groups such as the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, and Earthjustice in announcing that they are taking legal action against the Bureau of Land Management to halt the leasing of more than 110,000 acres of land near Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Dinosaur National Monument, and Nine Mile Canyon.

“You can’t put a price on silence or solitude,” said Redford, who is also an NRDC trustee. “Future generations deserve to experience the wildness and beauty of these lands, and to leave them as a legacy to generations that follow.”

The Utah Bureau of Land Management has conducted a series of controversial lease sales throughout the Bush administration, but the upcoming sale has been unusually contentious because of the sensitivity of the wilderness lands and because BLM inadequately consulted with the National Park Service.

“Words alone cannot do justice to the beauty of these places, but they do capture the absurdity of the Bush plan,” said Redford. “Oil and gas drilling in Desolation Canyon? Industrial development along the meandering Green River? The thought makes one wince. Utah’s Red Rock country is one of America’s few remaining wilderness treasures. It’s our land, it’s our legacy, but will it still be here for our children and grandchildren?”

Leonardo DiCaprio Has Time For The Environment

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Leonardo DiCaprio has joined forces with Swiss watch manufacturer Jaeger-LeCoultre to confront global environmental issues and promote eco-friendly causes by creating the “Time to Care” program to benefit the Leonardo DiCaprio Fund at the California Community Foundation.

The company will release two new and unique timepieces this Fall that feature DiCaprio’s signature and endorsement, with 100% of the proceeds going to some of the environmental organizations supported by the California Community Foundation around the world – including the Natural Resources Defense Council and Global Green.

The first of the watches will be a one-of-a-kind Master Compressor Extreme Lab, as worn by DiCaprio to the premiere of his documentary, The 11th Hour. Valued at approximately $300,000, the watch will be engraved with Leonardo DiCaprio’s signature, and be crafted in carbon fiber and titanium. It will feature an automatic tourbillon, two time zones, a pointer-type AM/PM indication at 12 o’clock and a patented jumping date display. This revolutionary concept watch features the first mechanical movement to operate without any lubricant and it is resistant to extreme temperatures of -40 degrees to +60 degrees Celsius – which is just what you need for global warming.

The second watch for sale will be a one-of-a-kind edition of the Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2 which, apart from having one of the coolest names ever, contains the first-ever spherical tourbillon – a great little gizmo invented in 1795 to counter the effects of gravity on timepieces… a very important thing if you ever find yourself in space or late for work. It also contains a 50-hour power reserve and will be worth around $400,000.

As well as being an eco-warrior, DiCaprio is also well known for his passion for Jaeger-LeCoultre watches. At the premiere of 2007’s “Blood Diamond” he wore a platinum Master Minute Repeater, and is known to own several more of their pieces.

The watches will be available through stockists of Jaeger-LeCoultre timepieces.

Britney Sheds Threads To Save Planet

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:55:14 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Opps, she’s done it again! But this time Britney Spears is in the news for all the right reasons.

The 26-year-old pop star appeared on the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother on Monday night, and followed the airing by auctioning off six items of clothing she wore on the set. Proceeds from the sale are set to go to the Natural Resources Defense Council, a New York City-based environmental advocacy group that regularly lobbies Congress for a public policy that promotes conservation of the environment.

“The general public has a fascination with celebrities and fashion,” said Michel Schneider, Executive Director of Clothes Off Our Back, a website that hosts charity auctions for celebrity attire. “It’s good that they are turning her performance into a positive occurrence.”

The auction, which includes a navy print Juicy Couture dress and a cream Nannette Lepore cardigan, can be accessed at www.seenon.com and closes on March 31.

Celebrities Wear Their Hearts On Their Sleeves

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 08:33:55 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

This Summer has seen both style and flair in the fashion world, and nowhere has this been more evident than in the clothes worn by celebrities. From the metallic mini-dresses that made a splash at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards to the dazzling array of gowns seen at the 79th Academy Awards, celebrity fashions have made it a year to remember. Yet, in a season that has included a host of environmental and humanitarian events, many stars have used what they wear to raise awareness of some big social and ecological subjects. They have embraced issue-based labels as a way of provoking thought on some of the most important problems facing the world today.

One such label is Threads For Thought, a contemporary lifestyle brand of clothing for men and women. With a portion of its proceeds going to the Natural Resources Defense Council and the International Rescue Committee, Threads For Thought produces designs which draw inspiration from three major areas: Africa, the Environment, and Peace.
The 100% organic cotton garments have been worn by a multitude of celebrities who support the brand’s concepts, including American Idol judge, Paula Abdul, and actor Jamie Foxx. Singer Gwen Stefani has been setting trends with a selection of Threads For Thought scarves and tops, and actor Don Cheadle, well known for his humanitarian work in Darfur, was spotted wearing a TFT t-shirt on “Inside The Actor’s Studio”.

Another brand popular with celebrities is OmniPeace, who donate 50% of all proceeds to the Millennium Promise Alliance, a non-profit organization working to end extreme poverty by 2025. The brand’s easily recognizable t-shirts were launched by Courteney Cox and David Arquette in 2005, and have since been worn to events by Jennifer Aniston, Angelina Jolie, Naomi Campbell, Kevin Costner, and Harry Potter’s Emma Watson.

Also popular is Edun, a fashion company that works to improve the skills of the workers where their clothing is made, including India, Tunisia, Kenya, and Madagascar. Founded in 2005 by U2 singer Bono and his wife, Ali Hewson, Edun also recently launched the “edun LIVE” sub-brand, which aims to foster trade in Africa by ensuring all of its products are 100% African, from “grower to sewer”.

“Bono’s biggest impression of the Africans is that they don’t want charity, they want trade,” said Hewson. “They have pride, they’re very dignified people. They want to work. This company is a business model that other people can follow.”

The company has raised the support of celebrities such as Pierce Brosnan, and last year released special Edun-One t-shirts, which made over $376,000 for ALAFA, a fund set up to fight Aids in Africa. The t-shirts were worn by stars such as Naomi Watts, Gary Oldman, Heath Ledger, and Jimmy Fallon.

With Winter just round the corner, both the celebrities and the fans are looking forward to new styles and surprises from the fashion world.

Kevin Bacon Launches “SixDegrees.org”

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 10:02:12 -0000

Kevin Bacon has launched SixDegrees.org, a new web site that builds on the popularity of the “small world phenomenon” to create a charitable social network and inspire giving to charities online.

Bacon started the network with celebrities who are highlighting their favorite charities – including Kyra Sedgwick (Natural Resources Defense Council), Nicole Kidman (UNIFEM), Ashley Judd (YouthAIDS), Bradley Whitford and Jane Kaczmarek (Clothes Off Our Back), Dana Delany (Scleroderma Research Foundation), Robert Duvall (Pro Mujer), Rosie O’Donnell (Rosie’s For All Kids Foundation), and Jessica Simpson (Operation Smile) – and he encouraged everyone to be celebrities for their own causes by joining the Six Degrees movement.

“SixDegrees.org is about using the idea that we are all connected to accomplish something good,” said Bacon. “It is my hope that Six Degrees will soon be something more than a game or a gimmick. It will also be a force for good, by bringing a social conscience to social networking.”

The game, ‘Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon,’ made the rounds of college campuses over the past decade and lived on to be a shorthand term for the small world phenomenon.

Bacon created SixDegrees.org in partnership with the nonprofit, Network for Good, AOL, and Entertainment Weekly. Through SixDegrees.org, which builds on Network for Good’s giving system for donating to more than one million charities online and AOL’s AIM Pages social networking service, people can learn about and support the charities of celebrities or fundraise for their own favorite causes with their own friends and families. Bacon will match the charitable dollars raised by the top six non-celebrity fundraisers with grants of up to $10,000 each.

“People give to charity because someone they know or respect asks them. So charities are increasingly looking to their supporters – not just themselves – to raise awareness and money online. That means both celebrities and everyday people can make an enormous difference for people in need,” said Bill Strathmann, CEO of Network for Good.

SixDegrees.org harnesses two important online trends: the exponential growth of social networks and the increasing interest in using the web for raising money for charity among family and friends. Through SixDegrees.org, people can upload their own photos and stories and fundraise for the charity of their choice with their own charity badges and AIM Pages.

To kick off the launch of SixDegrees.org, Bacon will attend opening weekend of the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT, where he and other celebrities will be encouraging charitable giving. Entertainment Weekly is celebrating SixDegrees.org and Kevin Bacon at its third annual Sundance Festival Opening Weekend Party on January 20 at Jean Louis in Park City. At the party, guests will be able to learn more about SixDegrees.org and celebrities will be encouraged to donate their “swag” to benefit charity. Items will later be listed on eBay using eBay Giving Works.

There will also be a representative from SixDegrees.org in Entertainment Weekly’s Main Street photo studio throughout the week so that when celebrities come to be photographed for the magazine, they can learn more about the organization and find out how they can get involved. Bacon will also be feted at an AOL reception where he will tape an episode of Moviefone.com’s Unscripted with Bradley Whitford, a SixDegrees.org participant and star of “An American Crime” premiering at Sundance.

“AIM Pages and Six Degrees are the perfect pairing as the immense popularity of social networking and the importance of individual giving converge. We look forward to building an important network of good-deed-doers via AIM Pages to benefit the scores of charities associated with Six Degrees,” according to Marcien Jenckes, VP/GM, Instant Messaging & Social Media, AOL.

Look To The Stars News: Natural Resources Defense Council

Leonardo DiCaprio Opens e-Activism Center

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