Hollywood Goes Green
January 28th, 2007When the Academy Awards take place this year, on February 25, they will present a significant indicator of a change of attitude in our country. I’m not talking about an organic menu, or bio-degradable gowns (although that would be nice!). Rather I am bringing attention to a new trend: Instead of arriving in fuel-sucking, luxurious limosines of the past, a significant number of Oscar nominees and presenters will arrive in eco-friendly vehicles, provided by Santa Monica-based limosine service, Eco-limo . Eco-Limo is a brainchild of Y Fray, who created the service in late 2004. Over the years, her service has grown in demand, by not only high-profile celebrities, but business executives as well, for jaunts to the airport or high-profile events. Regardless of motivation, whether an evironmentally conscious choice, or just wanting looking good in public, every step in the right direction, is a step in the right direction.
Not only has Eco-Limo expanded its fleet from a few Prius’ in ‘04, to now include Natural Gas (NG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and bio-diesel Mercedes, Suburbans and Excursions. Business is so good, Ms. Fray has opened an office in San Francisco, and is working on expanding to Washington D.C. and New York. I’m sure as Al Gore’s Inconvenient Truth gains more notoriety at the upcoming Academy Awards, high-profile people on both coasts will be more sensitive to appearing insensitive and irresponsible about the future of our earth.
By cutting fuel costs, Eco-limo is able to provide these vehicles at affordable prices, which start at $45 an hour for a Prius, and $65 for a bio-diesel Mercedes. It’s also a good way for people to familiarize themselves with these vehicles, if they are considering them for a purchase, or want to see how a vehicle can run on walnut oil.
Hooray for Hollywood!
February 27th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Has the world gone mad? “Hollywood goes green” is all spin and little substance. Yes, the EcoLimo fleet runs on non-gasoline fuels, but they still produce nearly the same amount of greenhouse gases as oil-burning cars. CNG for example is still a fossil fuel and non-renewable. Biodiesel is more efficient and is renewable, but there is still an environmental cost in producing it, and the metals/plastics/rubber in the car. The Prius is a good start, but mostly because of its light weight. If Hollywood wanted to make a real difference, the stars would give away their 2 and 3 tonne Suburbans and Limos, and start arriving in smaller cars (bicycles are too much to hope for). They would trade in their concrete and glass mansions for eco-friendly passive designs that didn’t require heating or airconditioning. And they might also encourage the aspirational millions to need fewer luxuries, consume less, and think about the planet more.
February 27th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
You make some good points, but whether or not bio-diesel fuels produce “nearly the same” amount of greenhouse gases as oil/gas burning cars, they still produce 75% less pollution than diesel vehicles. Considering all the Mercedes out there, that is commendable on its own. As to the environmental cost of producing biodiesel, that will vary with each region. That may be true in the Midwest with ethanol, but when you balance that with living-wage jobs returning to battered economic areas, there is something to be said about that. One of the nice things about bio-diesel is many underdeveloped countries, like Brazil are able to have access to self-sustaining clean energy. Though CNG is a non renewable fuel, but it is an abundant domestic (US) product with zero emissions.
I’m not clear why you don’t appreciate these celebrities participating in a program that brings solar energy to people who would not otherwise be able to afford it. I would think walking the talk to inspire others to share their their good fortune deserves some sort of recognition. It’s a lot more than a lot of real estate developers and manufacturing moguls have done — with the exception of Bill & Melinda Gates and Oprah.
BTW, Hollywood should not bear the sole blame for America’s conspicuous consumption. That is the objective of major advertisers who come into our television and computer screens 24-7.