Green Cotton

Photosource: http://images.google.com

Cameron Diaz has kept herself busy this month trailing along a train of interviewers from various amazingly fashionable magazines to get the word out on the environment. While the interview we recently reviewed in VOGUE focused mostly on the eco-fashions Diaz wore in her editorial shots, and only quickly mentioned her environmental campaign, Marie Claire dove into her work and gave us a better idea of what exactly Diaz is up to.

Diaz is currently traveling across the country with a small entourage of about twenty cameramen and other crew with a goal of seeing how much the general American person knows about the troubles of our environment in order to raise general awareness.

Unveiling Diaz’s inspiration to talk about the environment, she shares her experience as a child living in a neighborhood in Long Beach, CA, that was not only near a large freeway, but also toxic waste refinery, which would dump waste at the end of her block. “Childhood” also meant suffering from asthma, and an ongoing burning, itchy sensation in her eyes and throat. Coming from this personal experience of knowing what it would be like everywhere if we don’t start treating the environment with more respect, Cameron Diaz speaks with an authenticity that deepens her California starlet persona.

So she has been traveling all over the United States to ask the average American math teacher, high-school girls, and soccer moms questions like, “Do you know where your food, your water come from? Do you worry about the environment?” And always wraps up with the same questions, “What would it take for you to do something about the environment?”

To which most people are very touched, but do not know how to respond. Diaz has met with a general feeling of hopelessness. People do care but do not seem to think anything they can do personally will help the environment as a whole. They feel any changes they make would not stop global warming or deforestation.

While no one person can do any one of these things alone, if we all ban together and do everything we can to save the environment, this will make a huge difference. We can all add up!

So what made Diaz finally campaign after years of silence in this area? She realized that the planet did not have a publicist to speak for her. Diaz decided to use her well-known clout and popularity to promote support for the environment. Just starting the discussion is enough to get people thinking about their actions and the repercussions of their actions.

This new environmental role she has decided to take on can only make us love her more. You go Cameron! The environment needs as many publicists as it can get.

Photosource: Marieclaire.com

Find out about Cameron Diaz’s favorite sustainability websites here.

By: Julia Rea

Photosource: www.korwater.com

The “KOR ONE Hydration Vessel” is part of a new, safe, environmentally friendly, and ethically based generation of water bottles that combine form and function to meet footprint. Created to “reinvent the personal hydration experience,” KOR water bottles last up to five years, replacing over 1,000 disposable water bottles otherwise headed for landfills.

After so many scares on water bottle safety, KOR bottles appear to buck that trend in that they are made from Eastman Tritan, a new material that is free of bisphenol-A (BPA), a toxin found in many plastic bottles.

What’s unique about KOR is that the makers invested time and effort in the design of the bottle, attempting to make it  useful and stylish without compromising on function or footprint. Design features include a hinged cap with a hole to loop a strap or clip on to a carabeener, as well as the long length and soft rubber frame. The cap alleviates the need to  twist and turn to access water. Also, the ergonomic opening is just big enough to fit an ice cube through, but just small enough to ensure that, although I managed to, the general public will not splash themselves in the face with water, as some other water bottles do. The rubber used around the edges is soft on your fingers, making holding the bottle easier.

Adding a little whimsical fun to the design, the cap features a saying of your choice to punch into the cap, that only you can see; a daily mantra or other such phrase. KOR’s are also dishwasher safe, a convenience that many other eco-friendly water bottles cannot claim. For example, a number of the biodegradable plastic bottles on the market must be hand-washed (which is not as water and energy efficient as dishwashing by the way). Though possible, Sigg does not recommend washing their bottles in the dishwasher either.

KOR believes in sustainability all the way through the bottle life and will dispose of your bottles when you are ready to get rid of them (hopefully that will be after 5 years of use!). KOR guarantees that you can return your KOR postage-free when it has expired.

Other ways that KOR is demonstrating their green-ness is through their carbon footprint in choosing manufacturers. For this reason they selected North American manufacturers, with a higher cost, but a smaller carbon footprint. The facilities chosen are all ISO 1400-certified, which means they adhere to environmental standards far stricter than those required by law. Additionally, KOR donates 1% of all revenue to a select group of non-profits that focus on water-related issues.

Photosource: www.korwater.com KOR water bottles come in Ice Blue, Sawgrass Green, Sunrise Orange or Orchid Pink (as featured above). Check them out and less us know what you think!

Photosource: Squarehippies

Ever wondered how you can help the environment and meet one of Hollywood’s hottest men at the same time? Well, look not further! Leonardo DiCaprio has teamed up with Global Green USA and eBay to auction off…what better? Himself!

You could win a meet & greet and photo op at the upcoming red carpet premiere of Leo’s film Shutter Island. All you have to do is outbid all the other women out there trying to do the same thing -  on where else but eBay.

The bidding has already begaun, so hurry up and get to it. There are already 47 hopefuls and only 4 days left in the auction so get in there ladies! Let’s make this race exciting. We all know a date with Leo is worth more than $1,625.00.

Supporting this cause, there is much more on auction than a date with Leo (although frankly that is what we are excited about) but you can also bid on a Ibanez Jazz guitar signed by no other than George Benson, an outfit worn by Leo in Catch Me If You Can (staying with the “reuse” part of the RRR motto), and many other great celebrity items. Just go to Mr. Hollywood-Environmental-Activist and find just what you want! The auction will end on Earth Day, April 22^nd.

The proceeds from this auction will go toward raising awareness and money for the work Global Green USA is doing to improve America’s schools, build affordable housing, combat global warming, lower energy bills, and create more green jobs. So sign onto eBay and get ready for a hard fought bidding war!

By: Julia Rea