On Saturday, July 7th, Live Earth brings together over 100 musicians and 2 billion people across 7 continents to trigger a global movement toward solving our current climate crisis. Watch a great interview with Al Gore on Live Earth’s goals and America’s global responsibility as an environmental leader here.

Check out liveearth.org for ways you can help, including signing the “7 Point Pledge” to curb global warming.

Ever wonder how the products you use and companies you buy from are helping or hurting the environment? Climate Counts will fill you in on the impact that everything from your laptop to your lunch has on the planet. Check out climatecounts.org for a list of companies ranked by their environmental impact and ways you can get involved.

Simply stated, net neutrality guarantees internet users, like you, control of what you view and use on the web without the interference of internet providers. Broadband carriers are trying to take this neutrality away by allowing content creators to pay large sums of money in order to control online activity and results. Their thoughts are that this money will give content creators the opportunity to buy better "spots" on web pages, restrict competing sites and allow their site to load faster than others. Under this approach, artists and record labels that don't have the money to "pay" for their popularity will eventually get phased out, leaving you with access to only heavily sponsored musicians.

Pearl Jam and several other groups have joined together as co-founding members of "Rock the Net", a campaign to support net neutrality.

You, too, can help the issue by signing Rock the Net’s petition, attending a campaign concert in your area or contacting your members of Congress. Visit www.futureofmusic.org/rockthenet/ for more details.

I walk my dog a lot. This activity gets me outdoors and gives me great joy. My dog takes me places I might not go if she hadn't dragged me there, or inspired me to go there. We spend lots of time in the green belts and park of my hood. I noticed recently the efforts to restore the green belts from the damage caused by English Ivy and Blackberries. Left unchecked, these invasive species (not originally from our NW ecosystem but introduced recently) will overgrow all native trees and plants and eventually kill them. After the restoration process has occurred, the effect on the green belt is amazing....the forest floor is filled with Sword Ferns and all sorts of low growing plants of which I can't remember the names, but they are beautfiul and obviously in harmony with the big Firs, Cedars, and Maples that still tower there.

The other day, I praised a group of volunteers about their efforts and it was suggested that I might want to help out... So a few Saturdays ago I did and it was great. The four of us planted a variety of plants and trees all through an area that had been cleared of the Ivy and Blackberries. The woman who ran the program that day was Jillian Archer, who is a city gardener. She was fantastic and very knowledgable... Her work is part of a larger program called Green Seattle Partnerships. This is a bunch of folk from the city volunteer groups and NGO's that want to enhance Seattle's already gorgeous urban forests. They are partly funded by the Green Belt and Parks Initiative that Seattle voted for a few years back.... Anyway it was a fun and very interesting day.

- Stone

The Cascade Land Conservancy (one of the instrumental groups in PJ's carbon portfolio) has been working as a Pacific Northwest land trust, conserving great lands since 1989. Over the past 18 years, the CLC has worked hard to conserve more than 120,000 acres of forests, farmlands and natural areas.

Each year, CLC highlights a group of local conservation leaders at their Conservation Awards Breakfast. PJ is honored to accept the 2007 "Conservation Creativity Award."

Check out more on the event and how you can help out the CLC at cascadeland.org

In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling, it is an especially important time to support, develop, and celebrate new leaders, new strategies and new opportunities to build an even stronger movement for change.

Every day across the country, victories are being won by amazing young leaders...and every year Choice USA celebrates their work at their Generation-to-Generation Celebration.

Check out all of this year's awardees at choiceusa.org

When:
May 23rd, 2007
VIP Reception 6:00-7:00pm
General Reception 7:00-9:00pm

Where:
LeftBank
2424 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

A word from Mike:

Many of you know that I have Crohn's Disease. For those who don't, it's a chronic debilitating illness that causes ulcers on the colon or other areas of the digestive system.

Symptoms can include extremem abdominal pain out of nowhere and URGENT need to find a bathroom. This can happen 20 to 30 times a day. Many other things can go wrong, but I've made it my mission to do RIGHT by this nasty disease. THIS IS WHERE ACTIVISM COMES TO PLAY.

Every year for the past 5, I have played with FLIGHT TO MARS to raise money and awareness for the CCFA. This year's show is SATURDAY APRIL 7th at the SHOWBOX in SEATTLE. Get your tickets here.

Later in the month (APRIL 20), the annual NW Chapter CCFA luncheon takes place in Seattle. Click here for more info on both events. By getting to know other kids or grownups that suffer through the CCFA, I have been able to change my life in a POSITIVE way. I have met so many kids who have suffered far more than me that have a great outlook in life. THIS IS THE REASON THAT I SPEAK OUT!!!

Many thanks to all who come out to these events or care enough to support the CCFA (Canada, too...CCFC great job up there!). For all you non-Seattleites, check out www.ccfa.org for more ways you can get involved in your own communities.

Thanks!
Mike

Earth Day 2007 is quickly approaching. Check out Earth Day Network's list of nationwide events to see what's happening in your neck of the woods on April 22nd.

How have you treated your planet over the past year? Earth Day is the perfect time to make the choice to make some change. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• CHANGE YOUR LIGHT BULBS: Energy efficient light bulbs reduce pollution up to 75% and save you about the same amount on your energy bill. Stock up at Save-N-Energy.com.
• PLANT A TREE: The cooling effect of a healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners running 20 hours a day. Pick the right tree for your home with the Arbor Day Foundation.
• OFFSET YOUR C02: Help reduce C02 emissions by offsetting your carbon footprint. Calculate your footprint and offset it through Conservation International and Bonneville Environmental Foundation.
• EAT LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL: Eating locally grown produce and buying goods from local vendors cuts back on the amount of pollution, while giving back to your community's economy. Don't forget to bring along a reusable bag to tote your purchases. Check out Treehugger's guide for shopping green.

CIRCLE estimates at least ten million young Americans under the age of 30 voted in the 2006 November midterm elections, an increase of at least two million votes compared to 2002. Estimates are based on exit polls and early published tallies of votes.

The estimated youth turnout rate jumped from 20% in 2002 to at least 24% in 2006, an increase of at least four percentage points. Voters under the age of 30 accounted for 13% of all voters, which is an increase of about 2 points compared to the 2002 midterm elections.

Read more on youth voting statistics.

Looking for the perfect gift for your socially aware friends and family?

Our friends at Treehugger.com have put together Green Gift Guide 2006, which features dozens of Earth-friendly ideas for all the adults, kids and pets on your list.