RIP Michael Jackson: King of Pop and Environmental Justice Leader too?

Today in hoods all across the country, people are pouring out a little "Jesus juice" for the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Jackson unexpectedly passed away yesterday after going into cardiac arrest in Los Angeles. While the last days for Jackson were riddled in financial and legal drama, checktheweather.net is taking a moment to honor Michael "the real peter pan" Jackson for his work to address environmental degradation, and human rights. AllMichaelJackson.com reports that the pop legend donated money to approximately 39 charities. In 2000 he broke the Guinness Book of World Records for number of charities supported by a pop star.

In the music industry, Michael Jackson used his voice to tell the story of communities who are facing environmental degradation, violence and human rights abuses. In 1985, Jackson Co-wrote "We are the World" For a celebrity based campaign called USA (United Support of Artists) for Africa.

The song brought together some of the top artists of the time including, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Quincy Jones and Bruce Springsteen. The funds from the song and the campaign were donated to fight famine in Africa.

Michael also released many other songs that focused on human rights but two of the most known besides "We are the World", are "Earth Song"

and one of Checktheweather.net founder, Kari Fulton's favorites, "They Don't Care About Us."



"The video highlights the slums of Brazil and always inspired me. That's what a rally is supposed to look like and the video showcases the energy that is needed to win these life-long battles for justice." Fulton stated.

In honor of his legacy and as a tribute to a legend who is gone before his time, check out all three videos, sip the rest of your Jesus juice and smile. MJ is up in heaven, Black again and doing the biggest comeback concert ever.

Read More

Climate Rally at Capitol Hill Tomorrow!

Tomorrow (Friday) is a big day! The House of Congress will vote on the American Clean Energy and Security Act tomorrow! as we stated in the previous article there is a LOT of work that needs to be done with this bill to make it better. Let's make sure our voices are heard loud and CLEAR.

Checktheweather.net will live blog from the Rally scheduled tomorrow at 1pm. If you are in the DC Area come on out and join us.

At 1:00 PM, we'll converge at the South East corner of the Capitol grounds across from the Cannon House Office Building (1st St. and Independence Ave SE, near Capitol South Metro Stop) .

For media inquiries or more information contact Checktheweather.net founder, Kari Fulton at 202-340-0976 or Karifulton85@gmail.com!

Also Visit powershift09.org for instructions on how you can support even if you don't live in DC!

Read More

The Climate Bill: Is it the ACES or a Joker?

Over the past few months the environmental policy world has been all a buzz over the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES). The Bill is also affectionately known as the Waxman-Markey bill, named after the two senators who introduced the bill this Spring. The bill is being sold to the American people as THE Bill that will create the first steps to real solutions on Climate Change. However, there are many environmental justice, economists, and scientists who have come out in strong opposition to the bill. Other more mainstream groups have not completely thrown the bill out the window but are asking that the bill be strengthened in critical areas.

So Why are some groups calling the bill a Joke?

The Environmental Justice Leadership Forum made up of over 35 organizations including WEACT, The Environmental Justice and Resource Center at Clark Atlanta University and The Indigenous Environmental Network came out with a Fact Sheet on the Bill. The Fact Sheet states that the Bill not does not enforce the necessary reductions on Greenhouse Gas emissions (the stuff that causes climate change) that science demands. It also gives away benefits to polluting companies and hurts vulnerable communities by allowing for Pollution Hotspots. The EJLF explains this as:
A national pollution trading system can create “pollution hotspots” by allowing pollution concentration in the areas where it is cheaper to buy permits to cover continued or increased emissions than to actually clean up facilities. This is a
serious problem for communities that have the oldest and dirtiest facilities.

Another thing is that the bill does not fully protect consumers from increasing Energy Bills that may make it hard to even live. To see what the Environmental Justice Leadership Forum's Full take on the Bill click here

The Program For Environmental and Regional Equity (PERE) At the University of Southern California also offered a working analysis of the bill to accompany their recent report, The Climate Gap. The Climate Gap outlines how climate change will impact vulnerable communities and what can be done to support these communities as we fight against the eminent dangers of Climate Change. To read the report and get a copy of their analysis click here

Groups like Green For All and the Energy Action Coalition have taken to the halls of congress and have Shut down the phone lines getting people out to advocate for Strengthening the bill. Green for All, a group that works on promoting a healthy and Green Economy strong enough to live people out of poverty, is working to ensure that Green Jobs programming and funding is allocated equally and fairly. They want Green Jobs training programs to be fully funded and want more funding to go to local communities that are the most vulnerable to the economic shifts caused by transitioning from oil and coal to renewable energy like wind and solar.

Last week Green For All sent an e-mail out to their list serve asking people to call their congresspeople about strengthening the bill. Mahfam Malek, Program Manager with Green For All stated that after that e-mail was sent Congressional offices were overloaded with calls in support of Green For All's suggestions.

The Energy Action Coalition a group of over 50 diverse organizations has sided with Congressional Reps Keith Ellison and Chellie Pingree to make sure the bill is strengthened in three Critical Ways.

Holding Polluters Accountable - restore authority to the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate coal plants
Increasing investment in green jobs and in protecting vulnerable communities against the impacts of global warming
Improving the renewable energy standard.

They also have inundated congressional offices with calls and have helped to bring an amazing youth presence at hearings on the bill and at congressional offices.

For More information visit PowerShift09.org. and continue to CHECKTHEWEATHER.NET!

Read More

New Music By Real Artists

This Tuesday was a beast for new music. Not only did we get new music from Dead Prez,but also Grand Puba, Bjork and rock group, Dinosaur Jr. This week we decided to take a look at some of the hottest new albums of the week and find out who's making that music to save the world to.

Check out this Playlist and let us know what ya think!

new eco-jams of the week!

Support Good Music. All the artists above have new albums that just came out this Tuesday.Click on the playlist to hear the full songs click here

Read More

600 Neighborhoods Have Elevated Air Cancer Risk...Does Yours?

According to data provided by the Environmental Protection Agency millions of people in about 600 neighborhoods are breathing in concentrated amounts of toxic air pollutants. These pollutants are placing people at a greater risk of contracting cancer. There is a 100 in 1 million cancer risk level produced by 80 carcinogenic substances in these areas produced by automobiles, factories, and other sources. The national average is 36 in 1 million, according to the National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment which was released this past Tuesday by the EPA.

Cities with the highest cancer risk in the nation included:

• Parts of Los Angeles, CA and Madison County, IL (1200 in 1 million and 1100 in 1 million respectively)
• Next on the list includes Allegheny County, PA and Tuscaloosa County, AL

Some of the lowest cancer risk areas in the nation included:

• Coconino County, AZ and Lyon County, NV (areas with lowest cancer risk from air toxins)
• Other areas of note include Kalawao County, Hawaii and Golden Valley County, Montana

America's Most Toxic Cities

1. Baltimore, Maryland
2. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
3. Portland, Oregon
4. Los Angeles, California
5. Minneapolis St. Paul, Minnesota
6. Indianapolis, Indiana
7. San Diego, California
8. Detroit, Michigan
9. Seattle, Washington
10. Cincinnati, Ohio

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/07/10/1003_toxic_towns/index_01.htm

http://www.edrnet.com/

Read More

African Youth Unite for Climate Justice!

Check this video out, Nia Robinson, Director of the Environmental Justice and Climate Change was able to go to South Africa to train youth activists as part of 350.org's international campaign for real solutions to Climate Change. Read the article below to find out about Phil Aroneanu of 350.org's experience on his trip to South Africa.

By Phil Aroneanu July, 24th on Itsgettinghotinhere.org

We came from throughout the continent and beyond — from fishing communities in Zanzibar to townships in South Africa, from villages in Zambia to teeming capital cities across the continent. More than 40 youth climate activists from throuhgout Southern and East Africa traveled by boat, car, taxi, bus, train and airplane to Johannesburg South Africa for the inaugural 350Speaks Climate Leadership Workshop, organized by 350.org.



For four days, we shared our stories, learned organizing skills and planned campaigns in our countries and our communities leading up to October 24, the International Day of Climate Action. From my experience, as one of theh conveners of the workshop, It was an incredibly powerful experience to be with all of these thoughtful, excited and savvy youth leaders.

In the rest of the world, we often think of Africa as bearing the brunt of many of the effects of climate change — flood, drought, storms and disease are already increasing in intensity, frequency and range throughout the continent. That’s why it was so important for me to see that African youth, in solidarity with climate organizers all over the world, won’t be satisfied with the status quo.

As Emmanuel from Uganda said to me, “We don’t just need a …. we need a fundamental change.” The 42 activists and organizers who came to the 350speaks workshop are committed to fundamental change. They’re not going to let world leaders make decisions about their future without hearing from them. They’re also not going to wait around for developed countries to send over money or technology. Since those leaders are dragging their heels, African youth climate activists are developing African solutions to the climate crisis, from planting millions of trees on the continent to building solar stoves and biogas digesters. Don’t take it from me — watch them tell us how they’re going to make some noise in the video above.

From my perspective as a US-based global organizer, there’s nothing more important right now than collaborating with youth all over the world to build a larger and broader movement. Nothing short of a global grassroots movement is going to force our leaders to act fast enough and commit to a 350ppm target. I’ve been lucky enough to have the chance to meet some of those change agents, work together with them to build our voices into a truly diverse, global movement.

In preparing for the summit, I came across this great quote from Gandhi, who spent a fair amount of his young life in Johannesburg, South Africa working with Africans, Indians and other groups to fight for their rights:

“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win”

I’m not sure where we fall right now on Gandhi’s timeline, but I know that if we keep building the movement by connecting and mobilizing each activists from all over the world, we’ll get to that last piece soon enough.

Read More

New Music Tuesday: Dead Prez Goes Green for the People

Last week, Checktheweather.net got the opportunity to sit down with legendary rap duo, Dead Prez. You may remember them from songs like "It's Bigger Than Hip-Hop" and "Mind Sex". The dynamic Florida raised, Brooklyn based duo are back again with their latest album The Pulse of the People: Turn off the Radio Vol. 3. During our conversation with M1, we discussed the concept behind Pulse of the People and what makes it a "Green" Hip-hop album.

CTW:What was the concept behind The Pulse of People, What kind of vibe can listener's expect?

M1: we wanted to catch history being made at a moment we wanted to catch it from every angle. It is a checking of the pulse of the people at this time From Feel good songs, to hood songs, to Africa.


CTW: What are some of your favorite songs on the Album?

M1: I really love the Africa Hot song.The chorus is hot and on the hook we got people speaking in arabic and swahili. I also like Warpath we rap from the identity of police officers who murder and continue to murder Africans in our community it's like a rock song. Another song was Summertime, really like the vibe.


CTW: What makes this album a "Green" Album?

M1: Green in many ways not only are we using this as a way to know more about ourselves the concept of green in this country has not been made totally for the african community that's why we make songs like healthy. We also printed the album on recycled paper and included 5 hood reasons to "Go Green". 1 of the main reasons being because it's healthy. The album was also produced by our comrade DJ Green Lantern.


CTW: Where do you see this Green Movement going for people of color around the world?

M1:Well at this time I think we have to translate it. It should hit you from a emotional standpoint. But also from an economic aspect African people have to get on and see it as a way of economic development. Also how it relates to our general health that's why we die so soon. We have to really make it relevant because we are the ones being hurt the most. We need to use this as a way to open up avenues and make it work for working class people.

(editor's note: CTW had more questions but M1 had to dip to finish filming Dead Prez's new video which is sure to drop SOON. Check back with us soon for the update on this story)

Wanna hear a couple songs from the Album? Check it out below. Also visit Deadprez.com to buy the album and official Boss Up Merchandise.

Dead Prez Pulse of the People Teaser

Read More

McNair Wagner: A Southern Gentleman With Earthly Endeavors

Earlier this week Checktheweather.net caught up with McNair Wagner, CEO and Founder of Earth Endeavors, a environmentally focused marketing firm. We wanted to find out more about this young and single entrepreneur. Read our interview with McNair and hear how he is putting a green spin on Atlanta Nightlife.

CTW:

When did you start Earth Endeavors and why?

MW:I started Earth Endeavors in April of 2008. I looked over the [green] movement and my own talents and I wanted to see how I could make this work best for me so I developed a marketing business with an environmental focus.

CTW: What are some of your recent projects;

MW: We hosted a sustainable fashion show at Ten Pin Alley in Atlantic station bringing out approximately 500 people.

CTW: That's dope! You know Atlantic station is also a model of brownfield remediation?

MW: Yeah we host several events in that area.

CTW:How did you get involved in the Environmental Movement?

MW:Back at Georgia Southern a teacher gave a presentation on environmental issues and it struck me hard and I wanted to be a part of the solution and not the problem. So I got involved with NRDC and my local Sierra Club and have been busy ever since.

CTW:How long have you been living in Georgia?

MW: since 1996.

CTW:Over the years how have you watched the Atlanta Metropolitan area change?

MW: There has been an explosion of growth, urban sprawl and cutting down of natural vegetation.

CTW:How do you plan to use Earth Endeavors to positively address the changes in the Atlanta area?

MW: We bring in the young professional audience between 22-35. We want to instill and incorporate this group into the more in-depth environmental conversation and make sure the issues are relevant and relate to other issues in their own community and daily lives. The environment is not just recycling, it is more and we want to make sure groups like The Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative and Checktheweather have a higher profile and that their message gets out to a broader audience.

CTW: Why the young professional audience specifically?

MW: Had to look at what I'm passionate about I'm a social butterfly and most associate with the people in my age group and I wanted to share my knowledge and passion with people in my age group

CTW: How has your experience been navigating through, what many feel, is a very white environmental sector?

MW:It has been welcoming and really it's helping me and hopefully the people I work with develop a culture of understanding of why people feel passionate about the environment. Sometimes intercultural experiences can be difficult, however for the most part it has been a wonderful experience. Being involved in the environmental movement has connected me to many opportunities and taught me how to work and understand different cultural groups not just African-Americans. There is an excitement in bringing together people of various cultural groups and I feel a sense of unity that has helped me to be a better environmentalist. I get to learn more about why other people do what they do and they get to learn more about why I do what I do.

CTW:What is your vision for success with Earth Endeavors?

MW:Generate substantial revenue and income by helping environmental organizations and businesses to reach their goals and really take this third wave of environmentalism to the next level also while respecting the vision and needs of various environmental groups

CTW: Where do see yourself ten years from now?

MW: In ten years I will have made Earth Endeavors and several other businesses and made them profitable. I will be able to speak about what we are doing right now and motivate younger people with our stories and inspire people as others have inspired me with the simple acts of changing a lightbulb or standing up for our planet

CTW:Who inspires you?

MW:My peers. I admire the great work they do and gives me a sense of purpose and seeing that we are all doing different things but we are all part of a bigger picture that is creating real change and that is what keeps me going.
CTW: What words of advice do you have for other young entrepreneurs?

MW:Follow your passion, find a way to connect whatever you love about this movement and connect it to your business plug into a network make sure your peers and organizations you work with are supporting your business build up your team.

CTW:Anything else?

MW:Keep up the good work and look forward to hearing about the work everyone is doing.

In the Atlanta Area and want to check out how Earth Endeavors parties for the green? Check them out at the official "Gemcer" (Gemini and Cancer) Party this Friday, June 26th at the MonaVie Experience.

For more info visit earthendeavors.com

Read More

Big Thoughts From KGreen! Is Whole Foods Fronting on the Hood?

Bigthink.com interviewed Youth Climate and Environmental Justice Activist and Checktheweather.net Founder, Kari "K.Green" Fulton as part of the website's series of leadership profiles. Checktheweather.net will be bringing you the whole series of Big Thoughts by the one and only Ms.K.Green. Today's topic:"

Why can't I find any organic fruit in the hood

."

Check it out and tell us what you think

Read More