wordplay: Cameron Dabney
image: Thomas Campbell
EXTRA! EXTRA! 21st century superheroes have abandoned Wheaties for (organic) banana pancakes!
From Elvis encouraging people to express themselves from the waist down to the peace rallies during the Woodstock era, music has often been at the center of revolution. Once again, in this decade we are shifting the way we think and live. Global warming is forcing us to take action for the environment and musician Jack Johnson is creating the wave of change that we will ride. This summer, he will travel the world slinging his mellow vibe and forfeiting profits to protect our fragile environment.
Jack Johnson is a planetary superhero who devours banana pancakes and donates his green dollars to local greening projects in the cities he visits during his tour. Where did his environmental passion sprout? Jack Johnson grew up on a surfboard in Hawaii and had a deep connection with the water, sun, and nature. At fifteen, a surfing accident left him mangled without front teeth and 150 stitches. In a bout of island fever, Jack picked up a guitar and strummed his way toward an astronomical career. As he gained popularity with his music, he never lost the deep connection with the earth and her tides.
This year, the 33 year-old Taurus released his fourth full-length album. His latest, Sleep Through the Static, sold more copies in a single week than any album in history! Jack Johnson’s mellow nature runs through each of his platters. Acoustic guitar strums soft chords and his melodic voice elevates the spirits of his listeners. As the essence of the music fills your head, you are whisked away to a sunset bonfire on the beach. In fact Jack Johnson’s music is so sweet and positive that he was chosen to create the soundtrack for the movie with the rascally monkey Curious George.
Jack Johnson has reached international success without compromising his values or personal life. He spent the last three years with his family and working on the Kokua Hawaii Foundation. He is now ready to tour again and promote his new album. Conscious of the environmental impact of a tour this size, he and his wife Kim are working closely with MusicMatters to minimize the impact of every part of the tour. They will also offset the tour’s ecological footprint, rewarding fans that do the same.
What does it really mean for a tour this size to go green? Let’s start with the venue. Before Jack Johnson commits to a venue, the producer has to sign a contract called an EnviroRider. The EnviroRider outlines what is expected of the venue in terms of recycling and paying for carbon offsets after the show. “There have always been such contracts for catering and production,” explains Michael Martin of MusicMatters, “but the EnviroRider works to protect the environment.” Jack's tour manager sends a copy of this ingenious contract and it is easy to wonder why not every musician takes a stand for this simple plan to protect our lovely planet.
With the help of Michael Martin and the EnviroRider, this summer Jack Johnson fans can expect recycling containers throughout the venue and in the parking lot. Show banners will be made out of non-PVC material, and food containers will be made out of renewable resources. Backstage, the dressing rooms will be equipped with compact florescent light bulbs, low flow fixtures (toilets and showerheads), and organic, non-animal tested soaps. And of course, the musician will be served all organic foods. Stage lights will be kept off when no one is performing. After the show, the venue is also required to buy enough offsets to cover the CO2 emissions from the show. And if they overlook something, you ask? Well, Jacky boy will ask them to pay a fee of $500 to a local non-profit! This man is serious!
Jack Johnson is encouraging fans to take action as well, and it's a game with prizes! AllAtOnce.org is a website created by Jack’s wife, Kim Johnson, and Music Matters. AllAtOnce is a community based on environmental action where fans can get involved with ecological protection and the music “all at once.” Take a quiz about the environment and you can score free downloads of live Jack Johnson shows! Or connect with other fans in your area to coordinate a carpool to the show. Check out a report card for your favorite companies to see how green they are. Then make a choice as to where you spend your green. Discover ways to take action, make an educated choice and voice your opinions in the AllAtOnce interactive community and you too can be a planetary superhero! Then download your action kit and eco-passport and get it stamped at the show by bringing your reusable water bottle, carpooling, or visiting the Green Village (where you can learn about local non-profits). Completed passports will be entered into drawing for a chance to watch the show from side stage!
Even the paraphernalia is eco-chic! Get ready for wonderfully comfy organic cotton t-shirts. Or sip from a Jack Johnson reusable water bottle. Look totally hip with your Jack Johnson tote bag filled to the brim with natural delights. And proudly add in a bumper sticker that states your admiration while 100% pays for CO2 offsets.
Jack Johnson has created an offset strategy that is directly connected to the real causes of global warming. Sixty-five percent of climate change is caused by the burning of fossil fuels like making electricity from burning coal and emissions from cars. The other 35% is mostly comprised from the destruction of tropical forest. As such he will give 65% of profits to funding renewable energy projects, like wind and solar. The other 35% will be given to the Amazon Conservation Association to help protect the rainforest.
In 1969, musicians created communal awareness for political issues. Forty years later, Jack Johnson is creating communal awareness around the environment. Martin says, “Jack Johnson is the epitome of good karma; he is one of the most gracious and nicest people there is. Jack is all about love, community, connection, kids, hope, and being positive. He has evolved from a surfer to a worldwide superstar, selling out in every city that he will be visiting. And he is giving all the green he makes back to the environment!” Jack Johnson and crew will be rolling into town August 15th in busses powered by bio-diesel and playing music about peace, joy, love, and hope. If you are a planetary superhero, an environmental revolutionary, or simply a Jack Johnson fanatic, don't miss the making of history this month at Red Rocks.
Your Mother loves you back, Jack!
August 17th @ Red Rocks
JackJohnson.com
AllAtOnce.org