  Upon a recent report by some of the world's noted ocean scientists, Rock the Earth has joined the internationally-respected environmental advocacy organization, Friends of the Earth , and issued a call for action that continues to push the cruise industry to clean up its act. This month, letters, co-authored by both organizations, were sent out specifically targeting music promoters, and artists who frequently perform on music themed cruises.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ROCK THE EARTH AND FRIENDS OF THE EARTH CALL UPON THE CRUISE
INDUSTRY TO “SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT”- AFTER RECENT “STATE OF THE OCEAN” REPORT
PUBLISHED
MUSIC INDUSTRY SUSTAINABILITY
EXPERTS REVERB ALSO JOINS IN EFFORTS
(Denver, CO;
October 19, 2011) Upon a recent report by some of the world’s noted ocean scientists,
Rock
the Earth has joined the internationally-respected environmental
advocacy organization, Friends of the Earth, and issued a call for
action that continues to push the cruise industry to clean up its act. This month, letters, co-authored by
both organizations, were sent out specifically targeting music promoters, and
artists who frequently perform on music themed cruises.
“It is with
growing concern that Rock the Earth continues to watch the rapid deterioration
of our oceans,” said Marc Ross, Founder
and Executive Director. “We wanted to make sure the music industry was
aware of how seriously damaging cruises are on the environment and offer our
assistance in leveraging their partnerships for good. It is our hope that with
continued education and assistance, artists and producers will serve as agents
of change, leaving not only a positive musical and artistic impact, but also
one that treads lighter on the planet.”
One of the
primary sources of pollution of our oceans is, without a doubt, cruise ships.
Untreated discharges (such as human waste, oil and greywater) impact water
quality and aquatic life, and uncontrolled emissions impact not only coastal
communities, but also global climate change.
“Cruise lines have the power to clean up
their acts,” said Marcie Keever, Oceans and Vessels Project Director at Friends
of the Earth. “We are proud to be part of this group effort with Rock the Earth
to push the message into the hearts of artists who already can be a big
influence as celebrities. We
believe their voices and commitment to the environment will tell the cruise
industry that now is the time to clean up their act and make environmentally
sound decisions -- not later.”
The recent report by State of
the Ocean concluded that:
• The speed
and rate of deterioration of the ocean is far faster than most scientists have
predicted.
• Many of
the identified negative impacts to oceanic ecosystems have proven to be greater
than the worst predictions that have been made.
• The
world's ocean is at high risk of entering a phase of extinction of marine
species unprecedented in human history.
• The combination
of stressors on the ocean is creating conditions associated with every previous
major extinction in Earth’s history.
• Although
difficult to assess because of the current unprecedented speed of change, the
first steps of globally significant extinction may have begun, indicated by a
rise in extinction threats to marine species such as reef-forming corals.
Over 250 promoters
and artists of all genres of music received the Rock the Earth/Friends of the
Earth letter, in which the environmental impacts associated with cruise ships
were highlighted, and the organizations offered tips and draft letters that
artists and promoters could utilize to persuade cruise lines to utilize more
sustainable practices. Further,
the organizations have offered to work on behalf of any artists or promoters
who request assistance.
The letter was sent to artists and
promoters associated with the following music cruises:
American Music Cruise 2012
Bluegrass Cruise
Cayamo
2nd Annual Danny Gokey
Cruise
Holy Ship
Irish Music Cruise
Jamcruise
K-Love Friends &
Family Music Cruise
Legendary Rhythm and Blues
Cruise
Malt Shop Memories Cruise
Monsters of Rock Cruise
Music Boat Cruise
Rombello
The Jazz Cruise
The Kiss Kruise
The Rock Boat
The Smooth Jazz Cruise
The Weezer Cruise
Also supporting
the efforts were Rock the Earth’s friends and frequent partners, Reverb, who
have sent the letter to nearly two dozen additional artists, and artists’
managers with whom they have worked.
“We totally support this call for action,” said Adam Gardner
of Reverb. “After participating in a number of rock cruises in an effort
to make them more sustainable, it’s clear we need to up the ante in pressuring
the cruise industry to make real change."
To view a copy of the letter, GO HERE
###
ABOUT ROCK THE EARTH: Rock the Earth is
a national public interest, not-for-profit environmental advocacy organization
dedicated to protecting and defending America’s natural resources. We act as advocates to ensure the
existence of a sustainable and healthy environment for all and represent those
individuals and communities whose environment whose natural surroundings are
directly and adversely affected by others. Thanks to generosity and support of
a network of music industry partners and the world wide environmental
community, we are able to carry out grassroots organizing, education, and legal
action to mobilize public support and empower social change.
ABOUT FRIENDS OF THE EARTH: Friends of the Earth fights to defend
the environment and create a more healthy and just world. Our campaigns focus on promoting clean
energy and solutions to climate change, keeping toxic and risky technologies
out of the food we eat and products we use, and protecting marine ecosystems
and the people who live and work near them.
ABOUT REVERB: Based in Portland, Maine, Reverb is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
organization that was founded in 2004 by environmentalist Lauren Sullivan and
her musician husband, Adam Gardner of Guster. Reverb provides comprehensive,
custom greening programs for music tours while conducting grassroots
outreach and education with fans around the globe.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Marc Ross Deb
Shufelt
Executive Director, Rock the Earth PR/Communications
Chair, Rock the Earth
(303) 454-3304 / (412) 953-6280 (303)
454-3304 /(646) 398-0268
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.rocktheearth.org www.rocktheearth.org
Marcie Keever
Oceans & Vessels Project Director
Friends of the Earth
(415) 544.0790 x223
For more information or background about our work on this important issue, please see the Rock the Earth Cruise Ships project page.
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