Green Celebrity: Ringo Starr

No more fan mail for Ringo Starr, the legendary drummer for one of my favorite groups of all time, the Beatles.  Now before you begin to think that he is not grateful for his fame and his fans, his decision is two folded.  First of all, can you imagine how many letters Starr receives on a weekly basis? And not just letters, but items that fans would like for him to sign for them – where do you suppose the majority of those items appear for sale? On eBay of course!  I’m sure it doesn’t make you feel good to have your “fans” use you as a profit making machine.  The former Beatle explains his 40 second video posted on his website by insisting the ‘ban’ on fan mail was “in direct response to an inordinate amount of items which have recently appeared for sale on eBay, and to those that repeatedly send cards and items to be signed.”

He also adds, “(It’s) a waste of paper and we all should be mindful of our carbon footprint.”

Quick Fact: the average American uses more than 730 pounds of paper each year, which ends up making close to 40% of our garbage.

Starr adds the video was not aimed at his “real fans” who have recognized that he “has always signed items and is in fact the only Beatle to have been doing so.”

The drummer says he is “amazed” by the reaction to his video message, and urges fans to “read this in a mellow way.”

So perhaps we could still send our “peace and love” to Richard Starkey via email or text message? Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, it’s always a step in the right direction when attention gets pointed to the importance of being aware of our carbon footprint.

Green Celebrity: Adrian Grenier

I’m glad to see that young Hollywood is embracing the green movement because it definitely furthers the cause. Especially when HBO hottie Adrian Greiner is leading the way! His new show, “Alter Eco”, will follow him and his “entourage” as they show all kinds of folks how to take small steps to live more eco-friendly lifestyles. According to the press release, the “new series shows viewers how easy it is to embrace the green life and reduce their carbon footprint — all with a sense of sustainable style.”

Grenier’s projects will range from an environmental home makeover to a complete eco-friendly renovation of a popular Los Angeles hotspot, formerly Tokio Lounge, now being renamed as ECCO. This new ECCO-lounge is expected to open in July and will feature an organic menu, environmentally-friendly cement (where waste materials are added to pack cement), waterless urinals and air pressure toilets. Even the city of Los Angeles is getting into the act as the DWP’s Green Power Resources will provide sustainable power for the club.
The 13-part series premiered on Monday, June 9, at 9 PM (ET/PT) on Planet Green, Discovery Channel’s brand new sister station.