In the Artist category, Pearl Jam has, over the course of a 20 year career, not only set the bar high in the world of rock music, but also in their dedication to environmental activism.
Lead singer Eddie Vedder often participates in fundraisers and benefits for environmental groups like the Kelly Slater Foundation and Jack Johnson's Kokua Hawaii Foundation. He and the rest of Pearl Jam have donated money to groups that focus on climate change and other environmental concerns. Vedder is also a surfer and active in surf-related conservation efforts, most notably Surfrider Foundation.
Guitarist Stone Gossard has been active in environmental pursuits, and has been an advocate of Pearl Jam's carbon neutral policy, offsetting the band's environmental impact. Spearheaded by Gossard, the band established a Carbon Portfolio Strategy, Pearl Jam's ongoing efforts to advance clean renewable energy and carbon mitigation. Through this Strategy, the band has donated more than $150,000 to nine organizations doing innovative work around climate change, renewable energy, and the environment.
By working with these organizations to mitigate carbon emissions, Pearl Jam ultimately hopes to become 0% net emissions for all tours and band businesses.
A committed environmentalist, Stone has quietly worked to use this influence to effect change locally and internationally through direct involvement in many environmental issues through his work with the Wild Salmon Center, Conservation International, Cascade Land Conservancy, New Apollo Energy Project, and Honor the Earth.
In 2010, the band announced they would mitigate carbon emissions from their 2009 Backspacer Tour by donating $210,000 towards planting trees in the area of Puget Sound, Washington. RtE applauds Pearl Jam for setting a stellar example of how to Rock the Earth in a conscientious manner.
Other winners included environmentalist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Josh Fox, the Director of the Academy Award nominee documentary "Gasland." Planet Defender recipients are nominated by Rock the Earth members and chosen by Rock the Earth's National Volunteer Staff.
Rock the Earth is a not-for-profit, national public interest environmental advocacy organization, committed to protecting and defending America's natural resources through partnerships with the music industry and the worldwide environmental community.
I’d share a link to the Planet Earth website but, every time I visited there, my system flagged and caught a virus alert, so just a note to be careful out there.
Pearl Jam Pearl Jam – Unthought Known
Berlin, Germany – June 30, 2010
See also:
Pearl Jam: Eddie Vedder announces solo tour
Pearl Jam: Eddie Vedder album, concert film due in May
NEW VIDEO: Eddie Vedder – You’re True
Pearl Jam: New album in the works
