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Rolling
Down the Chattahoochee River
 The
Chattahoochee River drains an area of 8,770 square miles and
is the most heavily used water resource in Georgia. Historically,
the river has served as a source of power, drinking water,
food, recreational activities, and as a transportation corridor.
For the most part, its headwaters and many of its tributaries
are clean and free-flowing, lined with trees and other vegetation.
However, as the river nears and flows through the metropolis
of Atlanta, its complexion changes to a highly urbanized,
polluted river.
What
are the major challenges facing the Chattahoochee River?
- Urban
growth -
many of Atlanta's northern suburbs lie within the drainage
boundaries of the river.
- Historic
municipal and industrial uses - in the past, cities,
towns, and industries discharged untreated sewage and hazardous
substances directly into the river.
- Human,
domestic animal, and wildlife waste -
bacteria/pathogens are being documented in the river due
to pastures, defecation directly into the water, and sewage
spills, leaks, and malfunctions.
Although
much work has been conducted to help alleviate the stresses
placed on the river, more work needs to be done. The river
continues to be affected by development (both planned and
unplanned), storm water runoff, industrial discharges, and
municipal sewage.
Rock
the Earth is here to help! Thanks to the suggestion of some
Jack Johnson fans during the Summer of 2005, Rock the
Earth has been reviewing the threats to the Chattahoochee
River, in particular the chronic violations by sewage facilities
discharging in the river. It is our intent to reach out to
the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper in the coming months to
lend our support as is needed to address these violations
and clean up this important river!
Learn
about more RtE projects HERE.
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Heavy
Metal Summer
 Rock
the Earth's 4th Summer Outreach and Education tour entered
its second month working with two new tours: Warped
Tour and Ozzfest!
The 13th Annual Vans Warped Tour -- featuring some of the
hottest, up and coming indie, punk, and metal bands in the
land -- was a tour that we had wanted to work with for some
time. Thanks to the generosity of Warped founder Kevin Lyman,
2007 was finally our chance. Over the course of the tour,
RtE interns and volunteers educated many young fans about
Rock the Earth and the issues upon which we are working, while
taking in the sounds (and sometimes meeting members) of bands
like Pennywise, Meg and Dia, Sum 41,
Bless the Fall, and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.
The Warped tour took Rock the Earth through most of the month
of July from the west coast through Texas and on to the east
coast.
 While
the Warped Tour was making its way east, more heavy sounds
were brewing in the Pacific Northwest, as the 12th Annual
Ozzfest kicked off with two dates outside of Seattle (and
with Rock the Earth in tow). To our knowledge, this is the
first time that Ozzfest has partnered with a nonprofit and
also the first time that an environmental group has partnered
with the "Prince of Darkness" - Ozzy Osbourne!
In addition to a headline set by Ozzy himself, other great
metal bands such as StaticX, Lamb of Death and
Lordi also performed full sets. Rock the Earth has
found itself entrenched as part of a full blown circus sideshow
in the Village of the Damned.
Fans
of both Warped and Ozzfest have embraced us with open arms.
Many are signing up for our mailing list each night and at
only our third Ozzfest show of the tour (Marysville, CA),
Rock the Earth interns signed up a near-record 34 new members
(second highest number for a single night)! Thanks to the
generosity of Ozzy and LiveNation, pit passes and/or
reserved are being made available each night to new
members of Rock the Earth, so if you want to rock out in the
front row, check out Rock the Earth and sign
up for membership at an upcoming Ozzfest show!
Next
up is a stint with another new band for Rock the Earth --
Incubus
(see below),
as well as our only repeat tour of the summer -- the Allman
Brothers Band!
For
the latest stories, pictures, and reviews from the road, check
out the Rock the Earth tour journal.
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In
The Key of Green: Green Roofs
 In
recent years, green roofs have been planted in primarily
commercial projects throughout the country. These roofs, which
basically consist of native plants and shrubs planted on tops
of buildings, offer a variety of environmental benefits. The
plants serve as a shield of sorts between natural elements
and the buildings, offering savings on cooling and heating
costs. Green roofs can also extend the life of a building's
existing roof, again by shielding the building from the wear
and tear of weather. The roofs have a positive impact on local
communities, as they help reduce excess runoff during heavy
storms and absorb airborne toxins and carbon dioxide.
While
Living Roofs have primarily been the domain of the commercial
world, they're beginning to take hold in residential projects.
A number of cities now offer incentives for residents who
plant green
roofs and workshops are offered nationwide.
Co-Op America's Real Money offers great
advice on Green Roofs in its August edition.
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Rock
the Earth and Music Matters Partner with Incubus
 MusicMatters
is a green marketing firm, bringing values-led and "green"
businesses to the music community by working with a variety
of businesses and bands. One of their new programs, SMART
(Sustainable Minded Artists Recording & Touring) was developed
as a resource for artists who want to ensure that their tours
are as environmentally sound as possible. The organization
distills valuable knowledge from leading environmental experts,
and partners with eco-friendly vendors to provide discounted
access to environmentally friendly products.
The
SMART program is based on MusicMatters' 17 years of experience
in music industry activism and the EnviroRider, which MusicMatters
developed with Rock the Earth supporters Jack and Kim Johnson
and leading environmental scientists. MusicMatters is implementing
their SMART program on the upcoming Incubus
tour and Rock the Earth is going along for the ride!
 "We
couldn't be more excited about Incubus' involvement in SMART,
and the many things they're doing on the road and with their
Make Yourself Foundation to truly make a difference. Our aim
is to make it easy for bands like Incubus to keep their focus
on the music, while we help make the whole touring process
more environmentally friendly. The band's leadership and action
will result in an even greater impact when their fans join
them in action, and SMART helps to bring that message to fans
in a way that complements the concert experience," states
Wren Aigaki-Lander, Director of Enviro Music Programs at MusicMatters.
Brandon
Boyd from Incubus notes, "It's incredibly important to
us as a band to preserve the environment when we're on tour.
We now have the resources to not only neutralize our carbon
footprint, but to help make the environment better each time
we're on tour."
Check
out Rock the Earth in the MusicMatters/SMART green villages
at upcoming shows by Incubus!
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Boulder's
Fox Theatre Rocks!
 As
we announced in the May
edition of Rock the Earth Notes, during
the month of June Boulder's world-famous Fox
Theatre donated $1 to Rock the Earth from every
advanced ticket sold. This month, we received a generous donation
from the Fox for $800! We thank the Fox Theatre and all of
you who went to see concerts at the Fox during the month of
June and contributed to Rock the Earth!
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Midnight
Riders Unite! -- Allman Brothers Poster Auctions!
In
honor of our second summer tour with the legendary Allman
Brothers Band, we're offering up not one, but TWO limited
edition signed pieces.
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The
first is a signed and numbered (218/250) copy of the Rock
the Earth Summer Tour 2006 poster by artist Ryan Kerrigan.
This rare piece (only 3 in existence) is also signed
by each of the members of the Allman Brothers Band. To
bid on this piece, go
here. |
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The
second piece is an October 2006 portrait of Allman's guitarist,
Derek Trucks, created for Hittin' the Note Magazine by
concert poster artist Jeff Wood (Drowning Creek Studios).
This 6-color silkscreen print is signed and numbered (201/300)
by Wood and also signed by Derek Trucks. To bid on this
piece, go
here. |
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Still
Time to Gather the Vibe
At
the Marysville, California Ozzfest show last month, 34 fans
were thrilled to receive pit passes when they became Rock
the Earth members. Rock the Earth continues to bring timely
benefits to our members, all of whom are helping us to "Defend
the Planet One Beat at a Time". Become a member today
and receive these great benefits!
Gathering
of the Vibes - only $110 for RtE Members!
A savings of $30!
 In
its 12th 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, Mickey Hart Band, Los Lobos,
Assembly of Dust, Martin Sexton, Railroad Earth, and many
more. Back to its original location in Seaside Park in Bridgeport,
CT - with car-side camping, flush toilets, showers, playgrounds,
a skate park, and over a mile of pristine beach within a short
walk - this is shaping up to be the best Vibes yet!
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Volunteer
with Rock the Earth this Summer
Rock
the Earth is on the road, powered mainly by volunteers. Have
you considered volunteering with Rock the Earth? You can do
it from the road or at home! We have dozens of opportunities,
and can certainly find one that matches your skills. Consider
one of the following:
- Tabling
events
- Coordinating
volunteers
- Fundraising
& membership drives
- Legal
& technical assistance
- Assisting
with data entry & mailings in our Denver office
- Writing
press releases
If
you're interested in volunteering with us, please send an
email to volunteer@RockTheEarth.org
to find out how you can help Rock the Earth! Be sure to include
your city and state so we know the region of the country you
live.
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STS9's
Hunter Brown Rocks the Earth: Interview
Hunter
Brown on the Bonnaroo '07 "Social Change Through
Music" Panel |
One
of the most socially conscious bands around is Sound
Tribe Sector 9 based in Santa Cruz, California.
Rock the Earth has been fortunate to be one of the many community
partners of STS9 over recent years. The bands rapid rise in
popularity means more music fans will be exposed to inspiring
music and strong messages of social and environmental change.
Hunter Brown, Sound Tribe's guitarist, spent a few
minutes with Rock the Earth to share his thoughts on the environment.
What
environmental issue(s) do you consider to be the most critical
at this time?
Our
continued alienation from nature, our means of production
and distribution, neo-liberalism, global warming, corporate
factory farming, ethanol and growing food for cars instead
of people, bio-piracy and the patenting of life forms by multinational
corporations and the loss of diversity especially in the tropical
regions of our planet.
What
has inspired you to combine environmental activism with your
music?
Growing
up in a suburban sprawl and finding peace of mind in the woods
only to watch those woods destroyed by the continued sprawl.
Where
is your favorite place in nature to go to find solace or inspiration?
That's
a secret!
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Rockin'
the Earth on Ozzfest: Photo
RtE
Summer Outreach Interns Stephanie Mansolf and Sarah Tell and
members of Bohemoth (Ozzfest, Mtn. View, CA, 2007).
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