10 Ways to Help Defend the Earth One Beat at a Time!

As a friend or member of Rock the Earth, you already do so much to help protect our most precious natural areas. There's always more that we can do, however. Rock the Earth's staff put together a list of some of our favorite ways to protect the planet. We hope you'll enjoy!

10 Ways for You to Help Defend the Planet One Beat at a Time!

Purchase Environmentally Friendly Products
Whether you're investing in mutual funds, or simply looking for an organic shirt company, Co-op America is a wonderful resource for economic action for a just planet.

Consider Your Driving Choices
Multinational oil companies are making more money than ever, but we don't have to be beholden to them. Take a bold step and try biodiesel, or simply ride your bike or use public transportation. Our friends Hot Buttered Rum have made it work!

Write to Your Elected Officials
Your elected officials are in office to serve you - let them know how important it is to defend our most precious natural resources. Our friends at the Sierra Club have a very useful action center.

Make Smart Choices in Your Home
Consider an energy audit, which will allow you to save money and lessen your impact upon our earth. You can even go to a do-it-yourself site.

Choose Clean Energy
States such as Colorado are now requiring a percentage of their utilities to use renewable energy. Take it a step further and offset your carbon emissions through the purchase of wind credits. Many small towns and farms are rejuvenating their livelihood through wind farms - we encourage you to support those in your area.

Make an Impact at Work or School
Does your school or work place recycle? Could it do more? Gather fellow students or employees and challenge the administration to recycle office paper and more.

Plant a Tree
Trees serve as excellent carbon sinks and help us to combat some of the contributing factors of climate change. If you have the room, plant a tree! It's easy to do, and a joy to help nurture. Visit our friends at Trees for the Future to find out about their great work.

Put People into Office Who Share Your Values
The League of Conservation Voters is a valuable independent tool for rating public officials on their environmental records. Midterm elections are approaching, and it's vital to elect officials who are concerned about our planet.

Carry a Mug and Bowl with You
Are you a coffee or tea drinker? Carry a mug wherever you go, and stop using paper cups. If you dine out, bring along a Tupperware container for leftovers. You'll help keep trash out of our landfills, and likely start a conversation on the importance of protecting the environment.

Become a member of Rock the Earth and help our team Defend the Planet One Beat at a Time!

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The White House Rocks Hawaii

During the Summer of 2005, while RtE was on tour with Jack Johnson, RtE began collaborating with KAHEA, the Hawaiian Environmental Alliance, to protect the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are a network of coral reefs, islands, atolls and shoals that arches through the Pacific Ocean for 1,200 miles northwest of the Main Hawaiian Islands. These prehistoric landmasses are the oldest parts of the Hawaiian archipelago. Celebrated in stories of creation as the place where Hawai‘i began, these ancient islands are often described as the kupuna, or ancestors, of the Main Hawaiian Islands, and their survival as one of the Earth’s last remaining large-scale coral reef ecosystems is a critical issue for the Pacific region and the entire planet. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands ecosystem contains over 3.5 million acres of some of the world’s oldest living coral colonies and encompasses tremendous biodiversity. More than 7,000 marine species have been recorded in the NWHI, among them, the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, endangered and threatened sea turtles, reef fish, bottom fish, sharks, corals, anemones, jellyfish, mollusks, sea grasses, algae and over 14 million sea birds.

Last month, the Bush White House announced its intent to protect these magnificent natural resources using the most protective measures available under law, by declaring the area a National Marine Monument under the federal Antiquities Act. It is a milestone in ocean and cultural rights protection, and an encouraging response to a long struggle and to consistent public support. The Monument will be jointly managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife and NOAA, and in close consultation and coordination with the State.

Public support has culminated in a phenomenal and MONUMENTAL victory unparalleled in history!

WHAT THE PROCLAMATION LANGUAGE PROVIDES

• Builds on and augments the existing NWHI Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve protections (the Executive Orders, USFW Refuge).
• Fully protects access for Native Hawaiian traditional and customary cultural practices, including consuming fish in the Kupuna Islands.
• Recreational activity and historic visits are allowed only at Midway Atoll, as approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Dumping of waste in Monument waters is prohibited.
• Commercial fishing will be phased out over a five year period. In the interim, fishing boats are required to abide by "no dumping" in State and Monument waters, no fishing in protected areas, and fishing caps are maximized at 350,000 lbs. bottomfish and 180,000 lbs. pelagic fish.
• All other resource extraction activities are forever banned.
• Educational and scientific activities will be limited and "carefully regulated.”
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Fish and Wildlife Service will share management duties in cooperation with the state. USFW has sole jurisdiction over the existing Hawaiian Island Refuge, the Midway Refuge, and the WWII Midway National Monument.
• Research will only be allowed if it directly furthers the management or recovery of the Monument.
• The Monument will receive a Native Hawaiian name. This process is being overseen by the Native Hawaiian Cultural Working Group of the NWHI Coral Reef Reserve Advisory Council.

Since 2000, more than 100 meetings and working group sessions and 30 formal public hearings generated more than 100,000 comments, the vast majority in favor of strong conservation measures for the NWHI.

AN IMPORTANT LESSON IN THIS SWEET VICTORY
Don't Underestimate the Impact of Many People Asserting Their Voices. The White House, like the State of Hawai'i, had to acknowledge that these bold protection measures are the direct result of clear and consistent public support for the strongest possible protections in the ancient Kupuna Islands. This response was due to thousands of people participating!

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE: NEXT STEPS
It's not over quite yet! KAHEA, Rock the Earth and the NWHI Hui will be developing talking points on the Monument’s draft management plan and proposed regulations. For the latest updates, visit www.kahea.org and www.RockTheEarth.org.

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Rockin’ the Earth Has Its Perks!

Are you taking advantage of your membership benefits? RtE Members receive discounts on concerts & festivals, special members-only merchandise offers, 10% off EcoExpress gift baskets and 20% off SCIGear and Bamboosa products! Send your friends (or yourself!) great gift baskets of bath & beauty products, music from around the world, scrumptious organic treats or games and gardening kits from EcoExpress! Visit their website, www.ecoexpress.com, to see their wide selection!

Support sustainability and enjoy breathable, durable clothing that is as soft as silk with Bamboosa’s 100% bamboo clothing. Bamboo clothing you say? Yes! Bamboo is nature’s most sustainable resource, grown without pesticides and 100% biodegradable. Bamboosa is a member of 1% for the Planet and all products are made in America. Go to www.bamboosa.com to read more!

RtE has more discount tickets available for our Members!
RtE Members can purchase tickets to FUNK Fest in Indianapolis, IN August 25-26 for only $50! That’s a savings of $15 off the early bird price! Drawing strongly off of Victor Wooten's highly successful Bass Nature Camp, the F.U.N.K. Fest combines the atmosphere of a music & camping festival with workshops on music, nature and more! With two music stages, performances that include Umphrey’s McGee, Honkytonk Homeslice and the Victor Wooten Band, as well as great food & drink, unique merchandise vending and onsite camping, what more could you ask for? Join RtE at this great Midwest festival!

Stay tuned to our website, www.RockTheEarth.org, and our monthly newsletter for more information about discounts for RtE Members!

Party Like a Rock Star and Support Rock the Earth!
Rock the Earth is auctioning off two VIP passes to the Gathering of the Vibes, August 17-20, in Mariaville, NY, with all proceeds benefiting our outreach & education programs. Enjoy this top-notch festival with all the perks, including early access to the VIP entrance and camping areas, comfy couches, catered meals, refreshments, video games, VIP facilities & showers, event merchandise, and maybe even the chance to hang out with some of your favorite artists!

In its 11th year, this festival brings a variety of music to two stages to inspire, illuminate and expand our collective consciousness. This year brings many inspirational musicians, such as Bob Weir & Ratdog, Keller Williams, Yonder Mountain String Band, Hot Tuna, North Mississippi Allstars, RtE Advisory Board Member David Gans and The Everyone Orchestra. With a variety of music and art, on-site camping accommodations and nearby hotels, this festival has something for everyone!

Visit our online auction and place your bid today! These VIP passes have are valued at $325 each, and bidding starts at $350 for the pair. Join RtE for one of the best festivals in the northeast!

Want to Give Something Back? Volunteer with Rock the Earth!
You see us all across the country at concerts and festivals, but did you know that RtE is run almost entirely by volunteers? That’s right, most of our work is accomplished through the dedication of our Board of Directors, Volunteer Staff members, Interns and volunteers around the country. There’s a lot of work to be done and we need your help through generous membership donations and volunteer efforts to keep our projects and tour schedule going strong! If you’re interested in volunteering at concerts & festivals, or with one of our committees, please email us at Volunteer@RockTheEarth.org to find out how you can help Rock the Earth!

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Hot Fun in the Summer Time: RtE's Tour Rolls On

RtE continued its third Summer Outreach and Education Tour through June and July, putting up booths and tables across the country. Not only did we continue our work on the Dave Matthews tour in the eastern US, but we could also be found on the west coast on Bela Fleck & the Flecktones' Acoustic Planet Tour, and in the middle part of the country on the String Cheese Incident/Ratdog tour. As July began and Dave Matthews took a mid-summer break, we began our work on Bonnie Raitt's tour which will continue through September.

One of the Summer's highlights for RtE was our work at the High Sierra Music Festival. For the third summer in a row, RtE was invited to have an outreach booth at one of this country's best festivals. Situated in the Sierra Mountains in Northern California, this festival featured bands as diverse as Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Keller Williams, Son Volt, Nickel Creek, Dungen, Zero, Railroad Earth, Hot Buttered Rum, ALO, Greyboy Allstars, My Morning Jacket and many, many others. During the festival, the Happy Brigade hosted a fundraising cocktail party for RtE, featuring nearly all of Railroad Earth, members of Hot Buttered Rum, Scott Law and others. Members of the Happy Brigade not only arranged for the talent, but made up some great appetizers for folks to munch on and beer was donated by Langunitis Brewing Co. It was a great time and about $500 was raised over the course of 90 minutes. Many thanks to Dean, Erin and the HB family for their generous help and kindness.

Our work on the Guster/Ray LaMontagne tour has been slightly delayed by a rare, surprise invitation to reach out to fans attending the Bon Jovi & Nickelback stadium tour! This incredible opportunity will potentially expose RtE to 50,000+ people every night. Inspired by the new movie by Al Gore, "An Inconvenient Truth," Jon Bon Jovi decided that something must be done to educate fans about the growing (and real) threat of climate change. The result of which is that Rock the Earth will now have booths at Bon Jovi shows in New Jersey, Chicago and Pittsburgh, before jumping onto the Guster tour. Special thanks to the entire Bon Jovi family for inviting us on their tour and to the World Resources Institute for bringing Rock the Earth to Bon Jovi's attention!

For stories from the road, show reviews, pictures and set lists, check out our Tour Blog. For the latest news and tour dates, see the RtE website.

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Kevin Daly Rocks the Earth: Interview

Kevin Daly is the owner of Boulder, Colorado's popular Mountain Sun and Southern Sun Pubs, popular gathering spots for music fans and local activists. For more than 10 years, Kevin and Mountain Sun have organized the sold out Mountain Sun Hootenanny at the Boulder Theatre, raising thousands of dollars for environmental causes. On September 8, Mountain Sun celebrates 13 years of funky good times with the Pearl Street All Stars, featuring Kyle Hollingsworth of String Cheese Incident, George Porter Jr. of the Meters, Karl Denson, Liza Oxnard, and more. Visit the Boulder Theatre website for more information.

What environmental issue(s) do you consider to be the most critical at this time?

Global Warming & George Bush

What has inspired you to combine environmental activism with music?

The Grateful Dead

Where is your favorite place in nature to go to find solace or inspiration?

Indian Peaks Wilderness Area

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Rockin' the Earth at Smilefest: Photo

RtE Summer Outreach Tour interns Kathryn Blau and Chandra Ruff
with RtE Advisory Board Member Michael Franti.

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