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.

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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!

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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!

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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

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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/

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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.

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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

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