It was around late February when Alicia Mayer posed for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to promote vegetarianism.

Annually, PETA conducts a “World’s Sexiest Vegetarian” Poll and it was reported that Mayer is now taking an early lead. As to how far her lead will go, I don’t know. But I did vote for her. You can cast your vote for your favorite celebrity vegetarian here.

“When you look at the more than 200 gorgeous celebrities in this year’s poll, there are no bones about it—a vegetarian diet makes you beautiful inside and out,” says PETA Asia Pacific Director Jason Baker. “After all, going vegetarian is the best thing that you can do for animals, the Earth, and yourself. Plus, everyone knows that there’s nothing sexier than someone who exudes both passion and compassion.” Davao Today

Previous winners of this poll include: Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, and Natalie Portman. This year’s results will come out sometime late June.

Let me restate that.

“What was with Brad Pitt at Ocean’s Thirteen Premiere?”

The answer: a BMW Hydrogen 7. I know. Brad Pitt is enough reason to send me screaming out to the limits of my voicebox but his car is just too hard to ignore.

Hydrogen technology dramatically reduces emissions generated by personal transport and, in particular, minimizes the emission of CO2. Running in the hydrogen mode, the BMW Hydrogen 7 essentially emits nothing but vapor. And, unlike fossil fuels and traditional gasoline, hydrogen is available in virtually infinite supply. With the BMW Hydrogen 7, the BMW Group is laying down a marker for sustainable mobility. This car will play a pioneering role in driving forward hydrogen technologies. Autobloggreen.Com

BMW Hydrogen 7 is also considered as the first hydrogen-drive luxury performance automobile for everyday use.

Brad, you are definitely a hottie!

Photo Credits: ecorazzi.com

Yes, you read it right. Vatican has announced its plans to harness solar energy in its buildings.

According to engineer Pier Carlo Cuscianna, Vatican endeavors to start the renovation of the roof of the Paul VI auditorium next year to put photovoltaic cells and replace the concrete panels. This move shows Pope Benedict XVI’s recognition of the vast environmental problems that we are currently facing.

Last summer, Benedict called on Christians to unite to take “care of creation without squandering its resources and sharing them in a convivial manner.” He said lifestyle choices were damaging the environment and making “the lives of poor people on Earth especially unbearable.” AP

Paul IV is a 6,300-seater auditorium used for concerts for pontiffs and celebrations every Wednesday during the winter season and in unruly weather anytime of the year.

The Vatican is considering the installation of photovoltaic cells on roofs of other Holy See buildings, although centuries-old landmarks like St. Peter’s Basilica won’t be touched. AP

This news made my day and justified my silence yesterday. It was the World Environment Day yesterday and I chose to keep silent about it because I was mourning for the many environmental crimes that happen each day.

I hope other leaders follow this laudable move, especially the most influential ones.

You can read the full article here…

Following the recent announcement of Halle Berry and boyfriend Gabriel Aubrey that they will become parents by the end of 2007, Berry was seen buying clothes for her little one (although as of press time it has not been confirmed whether they’d have a baby biologically or through adoption). Her shopping spree which reached $1000, included Pink organic foot pajamas and a kimono tee made from soybean fibers, at baby boutique Bel Bambini.

All the items she bought were intended for a baby girl. That got the people to conclude that the lovely couple would probably have a baby through adoption.

For other eco-stories of celebrities, visit ecorazzi.com.

In a survey made by the Asthma Insights and Reality in Asia-Pacific in 2005, it was found out that in eight major urban centers in the Asia-Pacific, the Philippines had the highest incidence of work absence due to asthma with a percentage of 46.6. If it affects adults in that severity, then it follows that the effects to children are even worse.

In a recent article entitled “Children with asthma have more emotional problems,” it was revealed that many children with asthma experience behavioral and developmental problems. The article was based on a study published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, which collected data from a national health survey in the United States.

The good news is that there are people doing something to intensify research on child asthma. Watch this video:

On May 5, Saturday, the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand will have an Asthma Balloon Day to raise funds for child asthma research. They will be having various activities across NZ all dedicated to widen the knowledge base on child asthma. To know more about this initiative, visit the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation Website.

NZ’s move is a laudable one. I hope that the Philippine society will have the same drive to make a difference for asthmatic children. Air maintains life and gives nourishment. If the air that children breathe is polluted, then what nourishment does it give them? I’d classify that as junk food.

I hope that we can make solid steps to combat the primary cause of asthma in children - air pollution - to create livable communities, and the larger picture is a generation of healthy and bright Filipino kids.

I remember Yangtze River from my Asian History class way back in high school. It was that particular lecture wherein my teacher emphasized the importance of river systems in the early civilizations.

China, whose civilization had been said to have stood the test of time, is currently facing a problem that literally stains Yangtze. Yangtze, pride of their civilization and the longest river in Asia, is now threatened because of worsening pollution. In Report: Yangtze Water Worsening, it was revealed that around 600 km of the said river is in critical condition.

Photo by Xinhua News

In 2006, according to Wikipedia, the baiji or river dolphin was already declared functionally extinct.

Today, it is feared that the river pig, also known as the finless porpoise, may follow suit because of the deteriorating river environment.I hope that this cultural wonder will not lose its beauty and wonder. The future generations should see the mother river of the Chinese people.

Hmmm. You may be wondering what this post is about. Well, it’s about Adobe Systems. I coined the word Adob-E for them as a double monicker: E for their industry e-business and E for environment. I laud them for their great work in making their headquarters as energy-efficient as possible. They started to replace their energy-inefficient practices in 2001. Adobe identified 64 ways to end unsustainable practices. They began by replacing all the bulbs in their HQ with energy-efficient ones. After realizing the benefits of that action, they intensified their conservation and efficiency practices. Because of this, the company saves US$1.2 million annually and gets an additional US$400,000 in rebates. Neat, huh?

Guess how much they spent on their energy retrofitting, $1.4 million. And in a little more than a year, the investment already given its returns. It does not only give financial savings, it also helps the environment. So, cheers to Adobe!!

More photos and descriptions (Credits: Adobe Systems, CNET News)

This is how the building looks at night. Adobe HQ is America’s greenest building.

Adobe has tied digital electric meters to software that displays ongoing energy usage visually and in real time, allowing building engineers to respond quickly to any unusual spikes. Adobe estimates that this system has saved a total of $96,000 since 2001.

This is an example of their waterless urinal. It filters waste though a liquid sealant within replaceable cartridges. At the sinks, motion-controlled dispensers pump soap that is free of toxic fragrances and dyes.