Hollywood Goes Green On Earth Day

NEW YORK, April 22, 2008

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(CBS) The "stars" don't only come out at night; they go green by day.

In honor of the 39th annual Green Day, Hollywood has a new attitude - an eco-friendly attitude.

Sir Paul McCartney is looking out for our furry friends during this year's Earth Day.

McCartney believes that people should not only go green, but eat greener. The Beatle icon is advocating that "green" groups should go "veggie" for Earth Day, according to PETA.

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Photos: Earth Day 2008

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"I think it's very surprising that most major environmental organizations are leaving the option of going vegetarian off their lists of top ways to curtail global warming," McCartney said in an interview with PETA. "[Going vegetarian] is a simple but extremely effective step that many people could take to help the environment and improve their own health at the same time."

Although McCartney stresses other environmental measures, such as driving a fuel-efficient car and using energy-saving devices at home; he is focusing on the vegetarian diet as the best way to fight global warming.

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Photos: Photos of the Day

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"I think the biggest change anyone could make in their own lifestyle would be to become vegetarian," said McCartney, who "went veggie" (the term coined by his late wife, Linda) decades ago after watching lambs play in a field outside his home.

McCartney didn't stop with just our furry friends, he wants to help save aquatic life as well. He claims that the commercial fishing industry plays a role in saving the planet.

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Britney Spears is doing her part to save the planet by auctioning off her duds.

The Pop Star held an online auction of her wardrobe from her CBS guest spot on "How I Met Your Mother" to benefit the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental organization.

According to thedailygreen.com, at least three of the items went for about $6,500.

Leonardo DiCaprio is living green in New York City. The actor bought an apartment in Riverhouse, an eco-friendly building overlooking the Hudson River. DiCaprio and fellow actor Edward Norton are members of Global Green's board of directors.

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Photos: Leonardo DiCaprio

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According to msnbc.com, actors Salma Hayek and Jake Gyllenhaal have helped support Golbal Green by being members of a delegation to the Artic Circle on Earth Day to create awareness of the effects of global change. Actors Josh Lucas, Cameron Diaz and Toby McGuire have also participating in its fundraising events.

Actress Darryl Hannah also lives an eco-friendly lifestyle in Colorado and in the mountains of Malibu, where she grows her own fruits and vegetables and lives 100 percent organic, msnbc.com reported.

"Heroes" star Hayden Panettiere has taken a stand the past few months in trying to save the whales , through her "Save the Whales Again" campaign, which ultimately effects all marine life and the planet.

"Scrubs" star Zach Braff and comedic actor Chevy Chase are encouraging everyone to participate in making one million phone calls to the Capitol on Earth Day.

On Saturday, April 26, soap star Lauren Koslow will sign eco-friendly bags at Universal Studios' Eco Fair.

Annie Lennox, Mick Jagger, Colin Firth and Trudie Styler (Sting's wife) paid $2,000 each for a five course dinner, in which the proceeds benefited the Soil Association, the UK's largest environmental charity supporting sustainable and organic farming, thedailygreen.com reported.

Other musicians also went green by performing at the third annual Green Apple Festival, presented by the Earth Day Network and Chase. The festival began on Sunday, April 20th with eight free festivals occurring simultaneously at landmark locations across the U.S.

The Green Apple Festival featured The Roots & Friends (featuring Doug E. Fresh, Ne-Yo, Talib Kweli, will.i.am Chrisette Michele), Los Lonely Boys, O.A.R. Acoustic, The Neville Brothers, Ziggy Marley (Solo Acoustic), Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Thievery Corporation, Mickey Hart's Mass Drums (featuring Jon Fishman, Tommy Lee and More!), Taj Mahal, Gov't Mule, Umphrey's McGee, Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Menudo, Arrested Development, Meshell Nedegeocello and Martin Sexton, among others.

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By Melissa Castellanos
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