eco-friendly

You probably were already aware that Brad Pitt has an avid interest in architecture and that he’s interested in building sustainable housing. You might not be aware that he’s been asked to help design an enormous eco-friendly hotel in Dubai.

The five-star resort will have 800 bedrooms. Brad will be working as a consultant with one of the architecture firms that is also working on his Lower 9th Ward Make It Right project in New Orleans, Grant LLC.

Brad said (through a statement released by his rep), “Acting is my career, architecture is my passion. As my first major construction project the Dubai hotel will feature environmentally friendly architecture, but also embrace my career in entertainment.”

In a city with as many brand new luxury hotels as Dubai, this seems like a pretty smart move in a couple of ways. For one, whether people would choose to stay in a hotel because of Brad’s involvement or not, his involvement is certainly going to keep this hotel in the news and in the forefront of the public’s mind. Additionally, using green architecture is something everyone is interested in now, and it’s a great way for a five-star resort to set itself apart from some of the others.

Photo courtesy of askmen.com

Supermodel Cindy Crawford is teaming up with PUR to encourage everyone — supermodel and mere mortal alike — to make their water consumption just a little greener.

This May, Cindy and PUR Water Filtration will launch Thirsty for Change, a campaign to encourage Americans to drink filtered tap water rather than the bottled water so many of us rely upon. Every year, more than 38 billion plastic water bottles end up in land fills. The good news is, Americans are drinking lots of water, but the bad news is that it’s causing a huge amount of waste.

The supermodel will do her part by designing a stylish reusable water bottle and donating all proceeds from the sales to Children’s Safe Drinking Water, a program that provides drinking water to needy kids across the globe. She’s also giving out some advice for other ways the average person can live in a more eco-friendly manner, like buying locally and unplugging unused electronic devices.

What’s great about having Cindy as a spokesperson for Thirsty for Change is that she acknowledges that not all changes are easy, but says, “… changes that fit easily into our hectic routine are the ones that are going to stick.” I’m sure we can all agree with that.

To learn more and to read the rest of Cindy’s green tips, click here.

Photo courtesy of askmen.com

The hottest trend in Hollywood (other than having a baby, of course) is going green for the baby’s nursery, as evidenced by Halle Berry. Berry spent $60,000 going green in her three nurseries for new daughter Nahla Ariela Aubry. It’s been reported that everything she ordered was to be made with cotton free from all pesticides and that she’s “obsessed with organic.”

It’s not only the Oscar-winning actress getting on board the eco train — remember Punky Brewster? Well, Soleil Moon Frye, who played the pint-sized fashion icon, recently gave birth to her second daughter, Jagger Joseph Blue Goldberg. Big sister, Poet Sienna Rose, has been talking to the belly and getting excited about her little sister, and it’s no wonder she’s excited about babies — Frye opened an organic baby boutique a few months ago.

Her store, The Little Seed, has a little bit of everything from clothing and toys to laundry and feeding items. And it’s not the only resource for celebrity moms looking to go the green route. Lots of parents, like Trista and Ryan Sutter (from The Bachelor) and E!’s Chelsea Handler have sought the help of GreenNest.com, which insists that everyone, regardless of budget, can make simple changes for a healthier home.

Photo courtesy of askmen.com

Jack Johnson (a very handsome, talented singer/songwriter/surfer/beach bum) released his latest album this week, Sleep Through the Static, and though I haven’t listened to every song yet, I can tell you one really cool fact about it: Johnson used the most eco-friendly means possible to bring it to fruition.

The album was recorded using only solar energy, and the packaging for the CD is made from recycled materials.

This really comes as no surprise, as Johnson has been green since long before it was cool. The Oahu native grew up surfing some of the biggest waves in the world and had an interest in nature from his early days. He recently told Rolling Stone, “When you’re surfing really big waves, you’re reminded of how itsy-bitsy you are. Seeing the power of nature all around you like that gives you a profound respect for it.”

The father of two, while well known for his environmental beliefs, says he doesn’t want to be the next Al Gore. He told Outside Magazine, “I’m not trying to act like I’ve got all the answers and that I’m greener than everyone else. I want to do what I can to help, but sometimes it starts to overwhelm me.”

Many of us who strive to make the world a better place feel overwhelmed by all that there is to do, but Johnson gives us a good reminder that those feelings shouldn’t keep us from doing our part, however big or small it is.

Photo courtesy of A Broken Melody Soundtrack via www.lat34.com