Archive for Edward Norton
Justin Timberlake Awarded for Environmental Leadership
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Justin Timberlake, the man who brought sexy back, has been honoured as an environmental leader by the EMA. The Environmental Media Association (EMA) has announced that Timberlake is the recipient of the “Futures Award,” sharing good company with past recipients Edward Norton, Rosario Dawson and popular band Maroon 5. Timberlake is known obviously for his music and acting career but also for his incredible eco-friendly golf course in Tennessee. Timberlake said, “My two loves are golf and the environment.”
Before we get back to JT, it’s important to understand the role of the Environmental Media Association (EMA). “The Environmental Media Association believes that through television, film and music, the entertainment community has the power to influence the environmental awareness of millions of people. This initial concept set the stage for our 1989 launch and it remains a core EMA tenant today. EMA mobilizes the entertainment industry in educating people about environmental issues, which in turn, inspires them to take action. A pioneer in linking the power of celebrity to environmental awareness, it was EMA who invented the ‘green carpet,’ launching the concept of taking a hybrid or alternative fuel vehicle – not a limo – to high profile awards events and bringing the concept of alternative automotive technology to millions of previously unaware households.”
EMA President Debbie Levin called Timberlake “a great example of how you can lend your voice for positive change.”
Now let’s explore some of the ‘greens’ at Timberlake’s eco-friendly golf course. Mirimichi golf course, located in Tennessee, has numerous green features and here’s the top five directly from their website:
- Audubon International Classic Sanctuary
The Mirimichi team partnered with Audubon International and consulted with Audubon Environmental so that the renovation of the golf facilities would implement sustainable resource management principles that incorporate wildlife conservation, habitat rehabilitation and enhancement, water conservation and water quality protection. Audubon International (AI) certification requires a yearly audit to ensure Mirimichi continues to implement these natural resource management principles long term. - GEO Certified
Mirimichi is one of the first ten courses world-wide to be recognized as GEO Certified from the Golf Environmental Organization (GEO). This prestigious designation recognizes our commitment to environmental sustainability by protecting and enhancing ecosystems and biodiversity, maximizing resource efficiency, reducing waste, and conserving cultural heritage and landscapes. We adhere to the promise of continual improvement, and regularly monitor and review environmental performance indicators to ensure progress. - Future Clubhouse
Mirimichi’s future clubhouse will be designed and constructed to meet the highest green building and performance measures. These measures will substantially reduce water and energy consumption, protect indoor air quality and occupant health, and use sustainable building materials that include local and recycled materials, as well as reduce the amount of construction waste diverted to area landfills. - Buffers, Littoral Shelves, Wildlife Habitat Enhancement
Along with conversion of turfgrass to grassland habitat, buffers and littoral shelves (shelves planted with aquatic vegetation along banks) have been added to on-site streams and ponds. Buffers and shelves protect water quality and provide safe, easy access to water resources for wildlife. - Natural Resource Management Center (NRMC)
The NRMC, or maintenance facility for Mirimichi, is the building in which pieces of equipment are serviced, and pesticides, fuel, fertilizer, and cleaning solvents are stored. The building has been designed to reduce the potential for spills and prevent pollution of soil, surface water, or ground water.
This isn’t JT’s first award for good deeds. The 24th annual Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards gave the“Big Help Award” to Justin Timberlake for his efforts on behalf of the Shriners Hospital for Children. Justin Timberlake’s annual Shriners Hospitals for Children Open is a PGA golf tournament that’s dedicated to raising money and awareness for the organization. Justin Timberlake is a great ambassador for kids and the environment and remarkably, he’s leveraging his notoriety for good and not just fame and fortune.
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Edward Norton’s newest U.N. role may be his most important yet
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Almost everyone watches films on occasion and many seem to catch the latest new releases seemingly every week. From time to time an actor comes along who seems to just stand above the crowd such is his or her ability to dominate a film or take a role to unimagined heights. While I don’t think the last generation has brought along a Pacino or a De Niro I think Edward Norton has the ability to go down in that sort of company if his career keeps finding the roles that bring out the very best of his talents. The 40 year old actor has a long film resume but it is his work as a conservationist that is gaining equal billing in recent years.
This has never been more apparent that the news that Norton has now been named the U.N. goodwill ambassador for biodiversity. After his appointment Norton was naturally thrilled with the opportunity:
“It is an issue that I’ve been engaged with on many different levels for a number of years, but it’s very, very exciting to be asked to engage with it on the level of the U.N. with its incredible capacity and reach.”
He explained how his new role will move away from traditional methods of conservation that are having limited success as the emphasis shifts to looking more deeply at human needs which directly lead to the requirements of conservation action in the first place.
“People have recognized that fragmenting the ecosystems or creating protected pockets is not actually authentic to the way ecosystems work,”
Norton has been involved in many causes most recently Crowdrise which seeks an easier way to engage the public in performing or sponsoring charitable work. His interest in environmental issues is more than a celebrity gesture as his activities have been juggled with his film career for many years. His new appointment will make that balance ever more precarious but he seems willing and able to give as much of himself to the U.N. position as possible:
“Increasing people’s focus on the fact that human well-being is intertwined fundamentally with biodiversity, I think catastrophic events like what’s happening in the Gulf with the oil spill do highlight for people that there is enormous ramification for human well-being through a loss of biodiversity,”
As with many actors he has now taken his talent to film-making and his own Class 5 films is actively pursuing making future works that focus on environmental topics in addition to those already completed.
2010 is the United Nations international year of biodiversity. When you take the time to explore their website and learn far more about the many initiatives the U.N. supports the scope is quite breathtaking. The website itself is very informative and the far-reaching designs of the U.N. to combat negative environmental impact is inspiring. If Edward Norton can help make the project be known in more households throughout the world this can only be a good thing in my opinion.
To learn more about the U.N. biodiversity platform please visit here
To learn more about Crowdrise please visit here
Video of Edward Norton appointment
Tags: al pacino, crowdrise, ecology, Edward Norton, edward norton conservation, edward norton UN, edward norton UN role, gulf oil spill, planet forward, robert de niro, U.N. biodiversity, U.N. goodwill ambassador for biodiversity, United NationsEdward Norton Judges Green Living Contest
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Edward Norton has long been considered a green celebrity and supporter of environmental causes like renewable energy. He recently acted as one of 5 judges for the ‘Green Effect’ contest. The Green Effect contest from National Geographic and SunChips awards 5 winners with a $20,000 grant to help implement their green ideas.
One of the Green Effect winners that Norton helped choose was for eco-friendly kids party kits which they labeled Green Classroom Party Kits. This submission was from Julian Elementary School in Julian, CA. They recognized that they have over 25 birthday or holiday celebrations per year per classroom and always resorted to disposable plates, utensils and cups for the parties. With their 20K they will create Green Classroom Party Kits (washable white plates, clear cups, and silverware, in a rolling storage container) for each classroom at their school. Kids learn to scrape plates, pack them in the rolling cooler, transport them to wash, and then re-set for the next party or food activity. The kit stays in the classroom, for repeated use again and again. A sustainable school kids party!
Click here for a complete list of winners of the Green Effect contest. This is what Norton said about the submissions he reviewed when he helped decide the winners:
Tags: compostable, Eco Friendly, eco-friendly kids party, Edward Norton, green celebrities, green community, Green Effect, Green Living, National Geographic, planet forward, renewable energy, SunChips, sustainable
