Survival of the Fittest...the Organic Way

When Agatha Achindu couldn't find fresh baby food she decided to take her own stand not only for her first child, but so that other children would have the opportunity to eat fresh preservative free foods. Agatha, who is 42, listened to her calling and followed her passion to make a difference by starting her own business with her husband, and Yummy Spoonfuls Organic Baby Food was born (http://www.yummyspoonfuls.com/).

You can follow her story below. Be inspired!!!

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Lunch time Music Review: Dead Prez Pulse of the People

A couple weeks ago Checktheweather.net hit you with the exclusive interview with Dead Prez to discuss their new album and the green movement. Today we want to give you our exclusive review of the infamous hip-hop duo's latest album Pulse of the People: Turn of the Radio Vol. 3.

We caught up with one of the realest album reviewers, Snife the Free Radical. Snife is an Atlanta based artist, architect and blipster (black hipster) and we checked with him to ask the question, "Are you feeling the new Dead Prez album?"

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By Snife the Free Radical

Dead Prez is an acquired taste. They are too real for radio and due to that, I doubt they ever become mainstream. Honestly, its probably better that way. Everything ain’t for everybody. Their debut single and best known song “Hip Hop” was ahead of its time. They could rerelease that song right now and not only would it be extra relevant of today’s rap, it would still sound good.

Pulse of the People is an album you put on when you’re ready for action. If you weren’t charged up at the beginning of the day, by the time you get to the third song you ready to fight, protest, or stand for something! Simple and plain, the album starts hard. It is aggressive, while being socially and intellectually entertaining.

Dead Prez is exceptionally good at picking features that relate to their typically militant subject matter. Previous albums have seen the likes of Jay-Z and Krayzie Bone to name a few. Apparently, more folks can relate to the struggle than one would think. This time around is Bun B who lays down a stellar verse, on “Don’t Hate My Grind”. And Styles P fittingly joins forces on “Gangsta, Gangster”.

Its refreshing to hear hip hop with content and actual themes.

The album slows, as Dead Prez collaborate on lighter subjects, like living in New York, on “NYPD”, “Summer Time” and even getting some… on “My Dirty Valentine”.

Lyrically, you know what you’re going to get with Dead Prez. In the past, sometimes those lyrics have gotten lost in lackluster beats. DJ Green Lantern produced this album and makes it’s a lot better to listen to musically.

Pulse of the People is a good album. It’s probably not something you can listen to all the time. The DP’s are possibly too heavy to listen to before going out to the club. But if your boss is getting on your nerves or you just got harassed by the police, turn this up and indulge. Just don’t hurt nobody. I’m out.

- Snife the Free Radical

Check out a track from their new Album here:

AFR - DP

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Letter Writing Campaigns: They Actually Do Work!

Last week, we ran a story on Tar Sands in Canada and how people in America could stop the destruction of precious land and public health by just clicking a few buttons. Quickly, thousands of people e-mailed Hilary Clinton and told her we do not want the United states to invest in building pipes for Dirty, Nasty Tar sands. To find out more visit dirtyoilsands.org

The same happened with the campaign to get Green Jobs language into the ACES bill.Green For All reported that over 1000 calls were made the night before the house voted on the bill and tens of thousands of e-mails were sent in the weeks prior.

Overwhelmingly people around the country and the world are taking less than 60 seconds of time to sign a petition and make a difference in the world.

Checktheweather.net has made it even easier for you by adding our 60 second activism links and our Petition Du Jour widget.

If you have a cause that you think deserves someone writing a letter. Let us know and we will add it to the site. For more info email info@checktheweather.ORG
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How to Create Energy Independence for the US and Africa Too!

Today most people are out of summer school and off of work ready to celebrate the Fourth of July. Al Gore and the Alliance for Climate Protection are calling for Americans to "Declare Your Energy Independence". That means breaking the addiction to dirty forms of energy like coal and oil. All this comes at the same time that President Barack Obama prepares for his first trip to Africa as President of the United States. A group of some of the leading African Advocacy organizations, including the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS), Africa Action, Transafrica Forum, Global Aids Alliance, Africa Faith and Justice Network, Priority Africa Network, American Friends Service Committee and Association of Concerned Africa Scholars are calling for Obama to use this trip to Ghana to begin the formal creation of a new U.S. relationship with the continent of Africa; one that is based upon "mutual collaboration and respect between Africa and the United States.

So what would that mean in the dawning of the new Green Economy? Emira Woods, Co-director of IPS' Foreign Policy in Focus states,

"President Obama has advanced a bold vision for a global green economy, yet Africa is often not referenced in these discussions..."

The coalition of organizations is asking for your support in making sure Africa can also have energy independence. Woods goes on to say, "President Obama could bring political leverage for technology transfers and investment incentives in solar, wind, and tidal industries. Creating innovative new jobs can sustain the environment while allowing Africa to leapfrog its development in creative ways and also expanding opportunities for U.S. alternative technologies firms." The coalition hopes this trip to Africa will guide Obama and the US government in pushing for a Global Climate Fund. This fund will help support developing nations in transitioning to a green economy, remove African debt and take the foot of Dirty energy off of Africa's neck.

To read more and sign on to a letter calling for Obama to make his upcoming trip to Ghana the first step in a new and better relationship betweeen Africa and the US Click on the "Petition Du Jour" on the side bar or visit http://www.change.org/ips-dc/actions

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New York Times Columnist: Young America: Get out of Facebook and Into Somebody's Face"

Yesterday, New York Times published an op-ed by 2002 Pulitzer Prize winner and noted author Thomas Friedman. The article titled "Just Do It" calls out the flaws of the ACES bill. Friedman author of "The World is Flat: A Brief History of the World" agrees with many scientists,economists and environmental journalist, Brentin Mock, that the ACES bill is weak and cannot afford to get any weaker. Friedman goes off in this op-ed calling out Republicans, President Obama and the American public for making this bill weak.
Here's a piece of what he had to say:

Attention all young Americans: your climate future is being decided right now in the cloakrooms of the Capitol, where the coal lobby holds huge sway. You want to make a difference? Then get out of Facebook and into somebody’s face.

We hear you Friedman and we here at Checktheweather.net have been hitting the concrete talking to real people about this "ACES" Climate Bill. Yesterday we posted a story asking a Rasta about Climate Change. Last night we went out to Horace and Dickie's Chicken and Fish Carry Out in Northeast, Washington, DC and asked Dennis "Chico" Jackson what he felt about Climate Change, Michael Jackson and most importantly what he knew about the Waxman Markey ACES bill. Check out the video and let us know what you think. Oh and to Friedman, We are calling you out too. When's the last time you did a story on what People of Color in America are doing to Green our communities and fight Climate Change? Looks like we need to take this dude on a toxic tour ASAP.

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DR. OCTAGON - TREES VIDEO

Enter the twisted mind of Kool Keith aka Dr. Octagon aka Dr. Dooom.... "Trees" was one of few singles off of Kool Keith's "Return of Dr. Octagon" 2006 album that made it to video production. Also one of the many dope tracks on ChecktheWeather's The Truth Vol. 1 mixtape, "Trees" offers a clean beat of electro-synth sounds and just some real, grimey hip hop production. The message is blatantly environmental, with some dope one liners (so pay attention!).
After the album release, MTV hooked up with Kool Keith to produce this super artistic, science-fiction-steez music video to promote their environmental "Break the Addiction" campaign. I especially like how all his verses are acted out by kids - another underlying statement of who's really affected by these issues. Check it out here:



more on MTV's Break the Addicition/THINK campaign here.

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THE OBAMAS' ORGANIC GARDEN : LEADING BY EXAMPLE

I've always been impressed by the Obamas' lead-by-example demeanor, whether it was foreign affairs or family life. Their new organic vegetable garden is, perhaps, one of the most creative, blatant example yet. Since me and my boyfriend have started our own way to food self-sufficiency by planting a garden of our own, I have to admit, I think this is hella fresh of the first family (which was a big PR push by Michelle), to promote healthy eating, community involvement with gardening, and more positive food consumerism. We started our own garden for a lot of reasons, the main being that as admittedly broke-ass individuals, we figured we'd just cut the middle man out and grow our own ish. But, in the process, I've grown to love gardening - it's relaxing and theraputic, it's fun for us to show off to friends how our babies are growing (baby plants, that is), and, of course, we feel like we're being pro-active, green revolutionaries and beautifully anti-capitalist. They talk about greening the hood, but the first step is to green your own backyard/balcony/rooftop/windowsill, set the example, and save money in the process.
Green revolutionaries, stand up.

Thanks to GOOD Magazine for this dope diagram of the Obama garden. Full size here.


via GOOD Magazine.

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Gritty City Series: Hello Brooklyn! Part 2

I wish my story would end here and that the occasional gritty nose blowing was the extent to my experiences...

By Jameelah Muhammad

16 @ War - Karina Pasian

You are probably thinking the air quality I'm describing is over exaggerated, that New York has come a long way in terms of air quality, and that I'm just some paranoid environmental obsessed person who is determined to make a scene about any possible sign of pollution. And who knows, I don't have the data of previous air quality compared to present day, but what I can say is that well if there have been some improvement, I still believe there is a lot of work that is left to be done. I wish my story would end here and that the occasional gritty nose blowing was the extent to my experiences, however I, like so many other people who probably live in this city am experiencing something on a more chronic scale in terms of what this all means. Over the past year since I have moved to New York, I have experienced a change in my breathing capabilities and overall function. After numerous visits to the doctor, and a many horrible peak flow tests(both painful and exhausting), it was evident that the quality of my breathing had decreased dramatically and something was definitely going on. I have no doubt that what I've been experiencing has either been caused by or exasperated by air quality issues which I've experienced almost everywhere that I've been while living here. To make matters worst, after talking to some close friends who have moved to city from else where and have been here for some time, they can attest to the fact that they've experienced similar pulmonary issues, and in some cases they have developed asthma. Now, I am not a doctor, and I don't know what exact lifestyles these individuals have and currently lead, but I do know that something had to get thrown in the mix for people who are decently healthy to suddenly be experiencing breathing problems and to develop asthma, especially in such a short period of time. So what does this mean for mean? What does mean for people who are living in non-gritty cities, and gritty cities alike? .....

to be continued With more Grit, Grime and Real Change for all

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How will the Climate Bill Impact Communities of Color?

Today, thegrio.com posted a story by environmental justice journalist, Brentin Mock. Mock takes an in-depth look into the climate bill and finds out the truth on the Climate Bill. Some of the answers may shock you!

Favorite quote:

As new emerging industries are created from the government's financial incentives provided in ACES, those jobs would come back just in a different form -- green jobs. But in order for this to happen the policy can not be watered down anymore than it already has in the House as it moves through the Senate.... If not, businesses will fail, jobs will vanish and African Americans will be hit the hardest.

Check out the article here: http://www.thegrio.com/2009/07/last-friday-the-american-climate.php

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Real Talk: A Jamaican on Climate Change

As Part of our Real Talk Real People series, Checktheweather.net correspondent, Kari KGreen Fulton went out and spoke with various residents of DC to see what they thought about Climate Change and what they knew about the Waxman-Markey Bill.

First Up: What does a Rasta think about Climate Change? Kgreen sat down with DC based Reggae Artist, Sadiki aka "Spliff" To see what he had to say:



Wanna here more from Spliff check out this video for his song Bun Babylon.

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Gritty City Series: Hello Brooklyn!

Hello Brooklyn - Jay-Z

Gritty City Series-
"The New York Chronicles" Part 1
By Jameelah Muhammad

Yes, I live in a gritty city and I have to say that the experience thus far has been, well...interesting. Not that I expected New York to be pristine and the streets clear of trash and/or debris, however I did underestimate how gritty in fact the city was. A Michigan native, I can attest that my home state has its own set of issues when it comes to pollution, recycling, and general sustainability, but I must say that I have experienced and seen quite a different situation since moving to New York. I've been living in the city for almost a year now and my health and exposure to grittiness is drastically different from when I was living in Michigan. I will never forget after spending my first few weeks here and blowing my nose, only to find gray and black particulates all over my tissue.

Initially I was disturbed, maybe even shocked by this quite obvious evidence of air pollution and inhalation of toxic chemicals to which I was partaking. After a while I stopped seeing these smears on my tissues when I would blow my nose and wondered to myself could it be that my body has adapted to this negative attack on it's lungs, or maybe there is an accumulation of G-d knows what piling up in my lungs that I'm just not as aware of as I was before because the level of my coughing and sneezing has decreased....

"This is Part 1 in a series we will be running all day featuring the Opinion of New York City Educator Jameelah Muhammad. Check back at lunch time for part 2 and a new song to go with it."

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Breaking News: Cynthia Mckinney Taken Hostage by Israeli Government

It's Getting Real in these STREETS MAN! Former Congresswoman and Green Party Presidential Nominee, Cynthia Mckinney was taken hostage by the Isreali Navy. Mckinney was apprehended with 21 other leading activists working with Free Gaza a United States based pro-Palestinian humanitarian group. The group's boat, Spirit of Humanity, was taken hostage for ignoring an Israeli blockade that stops ships from entering the area near the Gaza Strip. The video below is from one of McKinney's trips with Free Gaza this past December when the Free Gaza relief boat was rammed by the Isreali Navy. Check out what she was saying even back then.



As many know, the Gaza Strip is going through major land rights issues and millions of Palestinians have been killed and displaced as a result of conflict with Israel over the land, which both groups consider holy land. Our prayers are with all parties involved and wish a safe return to Mckinney and the other activist on the Spirit of Humanity. You can follow this story at freegaza.org

Read more here:http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-40707020090630

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Don't Let The US Tar Canada's Reputation too.

This just in from our friends up north in Canada. The United States is getting involved in a huge venture to destroy Canada and First Nation People of Turtle Island (North America) The Tar Sands, aka oil sands are extra heavy oil that creates a very dirty form of petroleaum made from sand and clay. The United States is partnering with Alberta, Canada to extract the oil and use it for energy usage in the United States. However there is something we can do today to stop them from building more pipelines of toxic sludge.

Another major pipeline from Alberta Canada to the United States is up for a vote by the US State Department. Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton has the power to stop this project. Click here for the Rainforest Action Network's petition page to stop this pipeline from destroying ancient forest, indigenous land, people and species.

For a breakdown of what the Tar Sands are all about check out this article on how tribes in Minnesota are connecting with Canadian tribes to stop the growth of Tar Sands pipelines through native lands http://www.twincities.com/news/ci_12712281?source=rss&nclick_check=1

Plus watch this video courtesy of ecosanity.org . This dude at the end of the video starts WILDING out over the BS the Premier of Alberta is saying.


Tribes in the United States and Canada are calling for action to fight against Tar Sands. What the heck are tar sands you ask?
http://www.twincities.com/news/ci_12712281?source=rss&nclick_check=1

Shouts out to Kandi Mossett of Indigenous Environmental Network for sending this story our way.

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New Music Tuesday: Download the Truth Vol.1

Last week's New Music Tuesday featured Dead Prez's New Album, Pulse of the People. Check the video out below to see what they had to say about Checktheweather.net



This week Checktheweather.net is dropping even more music for the green and giving all of our readers a free download of our latest mixtape The Truth Vol. 1. This project is in conjunction with the Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative and hosted by the Bay Area's own DJLN! Find out more on DJLN and the Bay area hip-hop scene at http://cell2021.blogspot.com/

Follow this link for the exclusive download

The Truth Files

The mixtape features hits from Pharrell, Nas, Marvin Gaye, Lauren Hill and Many more all in honor of our environment and building ourselves to build better communities. Oh and I swear it's not as corny as that last sentence ;).

Follow this link for the exclusive download

The Truth Files

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The Ghetto's Perspective on the ACES BIll

Check this video out! Desire Grover, Activist and Filmmaker and Founder of Ghettoprint.com based out of Chester, PA, is using her talents to tell the Hood perspective on the passage of the ACES Climate bill through the house.


The ACES Bill is now up for heavy debate by the Senate after Fourth of July recess. Visit Checktheweather.net for more REAL perspectives on the Climate Bill from REAL people. Environmental Racism is TOXIC! Let us know what you think.

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Reflections on Redefining ACES to buld a real green economy

Cross-posted from "It's Getting Hot In Here"

While many of my friend in the movement have been in DC and trying to mobilize for, against, or to strengthen the ACES bill, I've been organizing in Minnesota as part of the Twin Cities Summer of Solutions program - you can read more posts on the programs around the country on solutionaries.net. In my work, I'm continually challenged by the persistent disconnect between the real implications of what we're trying to achieve through bills like ACES, how most people understand it, and the results we get. This morning I wrote a blog post in major metro-wide paper - the Star Tribune - attempting to redefine what ACES means and how we should respond. I'm including it here because I think we really need to get better at saying what we're about and why it is important.

As you read, feel free to check out the posts I'm responding to, remember its written for a Minnesota audience, and please share your thoughts on strategies to end the communications gridlock.

Here is the full article from the Star Tribune

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Do Rasta's Care about the Climate Bill?

This weekend was quite a busy one in the District of Columbia. On one end of the city, Congress voted on the ACES Bill and on the other side, thousands of Caribbeans danced in the street at the Caribbean Day Festivities. Such opposite scenes for a weekend but so much going on to see and say.

Here are some shots and video from some of the events:

Friday: The Environmental World went into cardiac arrest as congress passed the American Clean Energy and Security Bill (aka ACES). Youth rallied at capital hill calling for a stronger Climate Bill.

Checktheweather.net caught up with the two of very few folk of color out there and asked them why they were out rallying to strengthen the climate bill here's what they had to say.

The next day Checktheweather went out to the infamous Georgia Ave and danced with the people at this year's caribbean day parade.

Along with floats and beautifully costumed dancers, vendors on the street sold everything from flags and Michael Jackson T-shirts to fresh coconut and sugar cane. the Rasta's were out in full effect to show cultural pride. While selling the fresh fruit vendors yelling out all the health benefits of eating a natural, vegetarian lifestyle.

This weekend highlighted two very different sides of DC. The policy world and the world of the real Chocolate City. Both sides care about our planet yet in very different ways. The question Checktheweather.net wants to know is how much does each group know about the other. Do politicians and staffers listen to reggae hits? Do Rastas care about The ACES Bill? Stayed tuned to checktheweather.net to find out the answer to that question and more.

While we're waiting let us know what do you think?

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