Personal liberty, freedom, and the Constitution are at the core of the Republican presidential candidates’ talking points. With the 2012 primaries in full swing, talk of protecting your liberties and constitutional freedoms are all over the airwaves. So what exactly does freedom and liberty mean to the GOP Presidential candidates? Here’s a quick look…

• Avowed libertarian Ron Paul breaks with the rest of the field in opposing the Patriot Act, a bill designed to combat terrorism, that some feel goes too far, infringing on privacy and other liberties. Challenging America’s role as "World Policeman", Paul claims that 75% of Americans are calling for the troops to come home, and since the American people have to pay for war and die for war, they should have a greater say in America’s foreign policy. Mitt Romney, on the other hand, supports the Patriot Act. He is of the opinion that civil liberty means “the right to be kept alive” and therefore it can be left to the President to conduct surveillance for national security purposes. Rick Santorum, who has not wavered in his support for the act since its inception, believes that it protects us and does not violate our civil liberties.
• Paul has attracted the attention of marijuana activists and young voters across the nation with his passion to end the war on drugs, which he believes has been a real abuse of liberty. Commenting on the prison crowding issue, he is of the opinion that many individuals who have used drugs should be treated as patients and not criminals, because they are non-violent. Paul tells young people to use their personal liberty for “excellence and virtue,” but asks “Why shouldn’t you have free decisions on what you eat, drink, smoke, and put into your own body?” Likewise, former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, a candidate who is polling at less than 1 percent, believes that opposition to the drug war is perfectly consistent with true Republican Party values. In his opinion, “…2.3 million prisoners in the United States are victims of a public policy that criminalizes behavior that—without condoning the behavior—is a personal choice.” He goes on to say, “as long as people don’t put anyone else in harm’s way, they should be free to make that choice.”
• Newt Gingrich is displeased with the Supreme Court, which he believes has become a “Constitutional Convention.” According to a website that breaks down the candidates’ views on civil liberty, he thinks judges need to understand that “our rights come from God, not the Constitution.” Taking a position that even drew criticism from conservatives, Gingrich proposed that judges who make controversial rulings should be compelled to justify their decisions before congressional hearings, and arrested if they don't comply. Romney has been critical of Gingrich’s notion, and states that he would appoint members of the Supreme Court who would overturn extreme rulings, but he would not allow Congress to subpoena judges to explain their rulings or remove judges. Paul is a long-time supporter of the We The People Act that would severely curtail the power of federal judges and U.S. Supreme Court justices in hearing cases challenging state laws on religion, privacy or marriage, thus leaving these decisions to the states. In short, Paul wants to remove federal courts from the business of deciding whether state laws violate the federal constitution.
• All the Republican candidates are beating the "small government" drum but Paul may be the most fervent supporter of this notion. He thinks that government should just leave us alone. He thinks the American people are more than capable of making their own decisions, and that an individual is more powerful than any group. That’s where the candidates start to differ. Santorum has a totally different view. Here’s what he told NPR back in 1996:“This idea that people should be left alone, be able to do whatever they want to do, that we shouldn’t get involved in the bedroom, we shouldn’t get involved in cultural issues… Well, that is not how traditional conservatives view the world and I think most conservatives understand that individuals can’t go it alone." Santorum’s 19-year-old nephew, a Paul supporter, claimed that his uncle has an “irrational fear of freedom not working.”  How’s that for a clash in family values?

That's all for now liberty lovers; happy Primaries season!

Unless you followed every word of every GOP debate, you might not know where the Republican presidential candidates stand on food and farm policy. Have no fear, as HeadCount is here to inform you on the issues NOT in the headlines.

• School lunch is an issue we have discussed in past issue updates and a topic that has reared its head in the GOP. Michele “celery is my favorite food” Bachmann came out against USDA regulation of food lunches in one of her tweets stating, “Where in the Constitution does it say the federal government should regulate potatoes in school lunches? It doesn’t.” She’s now gone from the race, but fellow GOP candidate Rick Perry - who actually supported banning sugary soda’s in school cafeterias as governor of Texas - agreed with Bachmann that the federal school lunch food regulations were too stern. As for Ron Paul, well he hates regulation as well, but he wants to take it a step further and cut out school lunches all together!
• Food Stamps is another hot topic among the GOP candidates. Newt Gingrich has been the most outspoken on the topic amongst the candidates and wants to do away with food stamps and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), which helps nearly 20% of Americans get food. Gingrich sees the debate between Republicans and Democrats as “paychecks versus food stamps” and believes that President Obama is best described as the “the food stamp President.” One of his more interesting comments was when he said, “We’ve had people take their food stamp money and use it to go to Hawaii.”
• Rick Perry was a farmer on his family ranch for 13 years after returning from being in the Air Force and won the race for Texas agriculture commissioner in 1990. An interesting fact about Perry is that during his farming days, a large portion of his income came from federal subsidies.
• So what do all the other candidates have to say about farming? Well, Ron Paul wants to do away with the Department of Agriculture all together. Paul believes that the Department of Agriculture gives subsidies to corporations and raises food costs for “regular people.” Paul has joined the battle with farmers, even starting his own group in Iowa, Farmers for Ron Paul. This group is against the National Animal Identifitcation System (NAIS), which identifies and tracks animals for health and safety reasons. Winning cheers, though, from some small family farmers and people in the raw foods movement, Paul supports efforts legalize the sale of raw milk across state lines. On the other side of this debate, Governor Mitt Romney supports keeping farm subsidies and investing in the agriculture business in the United States, calling it “the key to our economies and families.”

As you can see, there is a lot to digest when it comes to food and farm policy and our GOP candidates. I hope I was able to help inform you on where these Presidential hopefuls stand on food and farm topics.

Turn on the news, and you might hear that government is too big, and that regulations are killing business. Well, it’s true that government keeps cracking down on fresh food sold directly to consumers on the black - or should I say 'green' - market. But somehow, government agencies aren’t doing anything about junk food advertising for kids or salmonella outbreaks. Does that make you mad? Well, then let’s first lighten the mood with a little news from Farm Aid.

• The 26th Annual Farm Aid took place in Kansas City on August 13th. John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, and Neil Young, who started Farm Aid together in 1985, performed their own sets, along with Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, Jakob Dylan and Jason Mraz. Farm Aid has raised over $39 million over the years to help promote family farms in the United States. One such example is the Adams family of Altoona, Alabama who run a small organic farm. The tornadoes that tore through the South in April wrecked their farm and left them without crops and with a ton of mess. Farm Aid gave the couple a $500 grant, which they used to purchase an industrial chainsaw to cut fallen trees on their property.  Although only a small donation, it was a huge help to the family, allowing them to get back on their feet and back to work. We’re also happy to report that Farm Aid has hosted a HeadCount booth for the last six straight years, and this was our best ever! At one point, a volunteer wearing a HeadCount t-shirt appeared on the video screen, and Neil Young pointed to him and reminded the crowd to vote!

• OK. Now to some stuff that’s not so rock n' roll. Our top such story this month comes out of San Francisco as the Shareable Food Movement is meeting the law. It appears that San Fran has their own “underground market”, where homemade food and goods are sold amongst members of the Forage SF. The market was started in an attempt to let people have their products gain exposure, even though they were not created in the certified commercial kitchens. The “underground” market became a huge success and thousands of people started showing up. But, earlier this summer, the San Francisco health department put the kybosh on this foodie paradise and the whole operation is now up in the air.

• It appears that the Federal Trade Commission, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Food and Drug Administration are ready to do…well, pretty much nothing in regards to food marketing to children. At the request of Congress, the four government agencies have been asked to give voluntary principles for food companies to follow to curb marketing junk foods to children. The problem here is that these are only voluntary principles and not laws. What’s even more interesting? “The FTC Act explicitly forbids the Commission from issuing a rule restricting food advertising to children.” So let me get this straight, giant food companies are supposed to “voluntarily” conform and curb their marketing of questionably nutritious foods to children and make less money? I will believe it when I see it.

• More government in action, er, I mean, “inaction.” According to the Wall Street Journal, the USDA knew for months that turkey from agriculture giant Cargill Inc. has a salmonella contamination, but they did nothing until 77 cases and one death were reported. The reason? U.S. law apparently does not consider salmonella to be a poisonous contaminant.

Well, one can hope that the trend for local, sustainable and nutritious foods will have lasting impact and that government finds a role that best serves the needs of all people. In the mean time, if you hear about any neat stuff going on in the food and farm world, be sure to let me know so we can get it in the next update.

I’m back. I spent over a month on the road with HeadCount this summer. But in the sweltering summer heat, I never forgot about climate change. Neither has the media. I just came across the top 5 disappearing destinations, an unfortunate but great list to keep in mind when thinking of your next majestic travel spot. Scientific American also published their top 10 places already affected by climate change and a slideshow to allow better visualization of the areas. Here’s more:

• I know I have felt the affects of the heat wave in the U.S. this summer - but regrettably, so has the Arctic, which is on course for a record melt. Also in Arctic news, polar bear cubs are dying as their swims get longer due to the rapidly melting ice. Talk about heartbreaking! In my opinion, very few baby animals compare in cuteness to a polar bear cub, and these longer swims increase their mortality to 45 percent.
• The world will continue to see more of a water crisis with the warming of temperatures. According to one report, 47 percent of people on Earth will be affected by water shortage by 2030. What could this lead to? How about “water wars”? But with effective response, the UN says the world could avoid “escalating conflicts, tensions and insecurity related to a changing climate”.  Take a look at the world’s most water stressed countries (PHOTOS).
• Fortunately, many cities are working to identify water-related climate change threats. Some cities are already winning praise for developing comprehensive action plans. New York has a comprehensive plan to confront these issues, as the average sea level rise by the 2020’s could be 2 to 5 inches. New Orleans is working to entirely rebuild its city’s defense with their master plan, which implements what they learned from 2005’s Hurricane Katrina.
• With the Gulf Coast still recovering from the BP oil spill disaster, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Enforcement and Regulation (BOEMRE) has given conditional approval for Shell to drill in Alaska’s Beaufort Sea next year. Overseas, Shell is currently dealing with a mess in the North Sea, which really provides me with confidence in their ability to drill in the Beaufort Sea where they claim there's no risk for spillage. Isn’t it interesting how quick we are to forget major (recent!) catastrophes? Feel like you need a road map? The energy challenges ahead might require one.
• Some think the answer to our energy challenges is nuclear. Others, including Jason Mraz and Tom Morello (of Rage Against the Machine) disagree. They joined classic rockers Crosby Stills & Nash, The Doobie Brothers and Bonnie Raitt at a MUSE (Musicians United for Safe Energy) benefit concert in California, to benefit non-nuclear organizations and Japan disaster relief. It’s been 32 years since some of those legends took the stage for the historic “No Nukes” concert.

Having camped at most of the summer festivals, it has definitely reminded me (oofta!) that we already have enough heat. Don’t be discouraged, concerned citizens, hope comes in the form of new fuel economy standards recently proposed by the President. Until next time, stay sustainable!

There’s never a dull moment in the world of liberty and I’m once again here to give you the low down. Read on to find out how the NRA plans to expand Second Amendment rights, why the Feds have been selling assault rifles to Mexican drug cartels, and why Phish front-man Trey Anastasio was given an award for his work on promoting drug courts.

• The National Rifle Association is again lobbying congress to loosen gun laws throughout the country. This time, they’re pushing for the passage of the National Right to Carry Reciprocity Act, which would require all states to allow out-of-state visitors to conceal and carry firearms as long as the visitors are permitted to do so in their home states. Despite criticism from many law enforcement groups who say the law will make police work more dangerous, the bill is already sponsored by a majority of the House of Representatives.
• And speaking of guns - you won’t believe this. The U.S. Justice Department’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has admitted to selling more than 2,000 weapons to Mexican drug cartels, including AK-47 assault rifles and powerful .50 caliber rifles as part of a drug war operation. Their brilliant plan, called “Operation Fast and Furious," was to install sensors on the guns and use that to lead them to criminals. The only problem was that the sensors quickly ran out of batteries – they bought them at Radio Shack! Well, they did find 122 of the weapons at crime scenes in Mexico – including one where a U.S. Border Patrol agent was murdered. You can’t make this stuff up!
• Phish front-man Trey Anastasio received a standing ovation and an award at the National Association of Drug Courts annual conference in Washington, D.C. last month. A graduate of drug court after being arrested for seven felony drug offenses, Anastasio has now become one of the program's main champions. He recounted his own tale in a heartfelt acceptance speech that was lauded by the Washington Post, and he made an equally stirring appearance at a rally that was caught on VIDEO. You can read a full account of Trey's visit to DC on the HeadCount blog.
• While Democratic Senators Robert Menendez (NJ) and Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) are considered two of drug court's biggest proponents, check out these words from Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky. He has said, "We need to treat drug addiction as a medical condition and reserve space in our prisons for those who are violent."Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has said, "We need to treat drug addiction as a medical condition and reserve space in our prisons for those who are violent."
• Here’s one that tests the limits of free speech and how far public schools should go in controlling the action of students.  Students at a mostly white Minnesota high school organized an annual “Wigger” day – a reference to whites who dress and speak in ways that imitate African-Americans. An African-American student has filed a lawsuit, alleging that the school violated anti-discrimination laws because it “failed to take adequate steps to address the conduct.” What do you think of that?

I’m sad to say that this will be my last update as your Personal Liberties issue editor! I’m moving on to lead HeadCount’s San Francisco team and will be replaced by Lizzy Kinnard who will keep you up to date on the latest liberty issues.

If you’re like me, you enjoy kicking back and enjoying everything the summer has to offer. But every once in a while I interrupt my scheduled bliss and check in on what’s happening in the world – and it ain't always pretty. This month, I’ve got some news for you on an astonishing verdict in a rape case and civilians getting killed by their government in Syria. But wait, it’s not all bad! There’s also news about Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore working to keep exploited kids out of sex ads, and the U.S. getting on board with international human rights guidelines on drug sentencing. So read on.

• Did you know it’s possible to consent to sex while unconscious? That’s what a Houston jury decided in a recent civil suit brought in an alleged rape case. Jamie Leigh Jones, who worked for defense contractor KBR in Iraq, brought a case against her attacker and the company after returning to the states. According to press reports, she claimed she was drugged, blacked out, and woke up bruised and bleeding in her most personal areas. Then when she reported the attack to her employer, she was locked in a shipping container and denied food and water for at least 24 hours. If that’s not enough to make you queasy, get this: her alleged attacker claimed the sex he had with Jones - while she was unconscious - was consensual. How is this possible? Well the defense went after her credibility, her past and her motives, which was enough to convince a Jury that there wasn’t even a 51% chance she was telling the truth.
• Have you followed what’s happening in Syria? Well, not too many Americans have. But over 100 civilians were killed by government shellings and attacks there in late July, and this is part of a pattern that’s been happening for months. Italy even pulled its ambassador out of the country due to the "horrible repression of the civilian population.” Yet, with the government not allowing western journalists into the country, the story has remained mostly under the American radar. As a result, the international community has done little more than just condemn the actions.
• It seems a little tweet can go a long way, especially if you’re Ashton Kutcher. Kutcher targeted American Airlines via Twitter, asking them to remove their advertising from Village Voice Media, which, he said, allows the sexual exploitation of young girls by way of their classified advertising section, Backpage.com. In response, Kutcher and wife Demi Moore launched their “Real Men Don't Buy Girls” campaign. Village Voice Media responded to Kutcher with an article, “Real Men Get Their Facts Straight.” Similar public outcry last year forced Craigslist to shutter its adult services section which also featured ads for underage girls who were assumed to be forced into prostitution against their will.
• In the past, the sentences for crack cocaine possession were disproportionately tough. (Like, it would take 100-times that much cocaine powder to get the same sentence.) Last year, Obama signed a bill designed to address that disparity called The Fair Sentencing Act, which relatively lessened the sentences for individuals caught with crack, moving forward. But what about the folks who were sentenced under the pre-"Fair" system? Well, on June 30 the United States Sentencing Commission voted to make retroactive sentencing guidelines for those imprisoned because of crack. The change reduces more than 12,000 offenders’ sentences by approximately 37 months. African Americans have traditionally bourn the brunt of the harsher sentencing guidelines with 80% of crack convictions in 2008 handed down to black people, even though the majority of crack users are white.

If there are human rights issues that interest you, be sure to let me know. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

As always, there’s a lot going on across this country in the realm of education policy, especially in light of the economy’s continuing struggles. Let’s get right into it.

• Remember No Child Left Behind, the Bush-era education overhaul centered around standardized testing? Well there’s a growing consensus out there that the policy is flawed, but with no Congressional support for any particular alternative, we’re left with a bit of a mess. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan – who refers to the policy as a “slow-motion train wreck” – is indicating that his department will offer schools relief from the law, and has already granted more than 300 waivers to schools who failed to meet targets. Three states (Idaho, Montana, and South Dakota), certain that their schools will fail to meet the ambitious proficiency requirements of NCLB, have threatened to cease implementing aspects of the federal law. Even worse, educators have taken matters into their own hands, changing answers on their students’ standardized tests in order to make the schools look good. But does anyone have the authority not to implement the standards without congressional preapproval? That is not clear. So the battle continues.
• Californians got some relief from a few temporary tax increases this year (ranging from 0.25% to 1%) but at what cost? The state’s public university system (which was receiving approximately half those funds) will take a big hit. Tuition will undergo a substantial hike and, as a result, the University of California will no longer give preference to in-state students who pay less tuition than those from out-of-state. Elsewhere, municipal education budgets are shrinking; in one case a newly-built high school is going to sit unused for a year or more, because the town doesn’t have the money to operate it.
• If they have the right to marry, do students have the right to learn about them? Californians believe they do and should. State legislature recently passed a bill requiring the inclusion of LGBT historical figures in textbooks and lectures in public schools, in addition to adding sexual orientation to the state list of anti-discrimination protections. For civil rights groups, this is a definite victory for equality. For the opponents? They are “offended” by the proposed “homosexual curriculum,” and hope for a veto from Governor Jerry Brown.  On the other side of the ideological spectrum, the Tennessee state Senate approved a bill that would ban teachers from discussing homosexualitywith elementary or middle school students.
• It’s not exactly breaking news to say that minority populations in America are underserved when it comes to education. However, a new study from federal civil rights officials puts the contrast in stark relief – for instance, it shows that schools with primarily black populations are twice as likely as mostly-white schools to be staffed with inexperienced teachers. Despite the many obstacles minorities face in the American education system and quickly-rising tuition costs, an interesting counterpoint demonstrating upward mobility: more immigrants now have college degrees than those who did not complete secondary school.

Times are tough, ladies and gentlemen. Which is to say that the way our country acts now will likely determine the course of our education system – and, as a result, of our economy – for years to come. I’ll be keeping you in the loop. In the meantime, if you hear about something this month that you think I should see, please drop me a line.

So you made it through Memorial Day BBQ’s and July 4th hot dogs. If you’re anything like most Americans, this probably isn’t your most sustainable or healthy time of year. But to bring you back to earth, here are a few stories and good reads from the world of food and farming:

• How do you like this use of your tax dollars? The Food and Drug administration conducted a year-long sting operation using false identities to acquire… raw milk from an Amish farmer. They then had it tested in labs to prove it was unpasteurized, after which the FDA filed an injunction against Dan Allgyer and shut him down. Then an organization called Grassfed on the Hill gathered on the Upper Senate Park to support Mr. Allgyer, even bringing a cow to the park that sits directly across from the senate. They milked the cow and served the fresh milk to the crowd, playfully “daring” one another to drink it. Raw milk has made a come back in recent years as more Americans try to eat  things that are local, fresh and unprocessed.
• Along side "Spicy Pie," arepas and fried dough vendors, farmers markets are starting to make regular appearances at concert festivals. The Dave Matthews Band Caravans feature an area for locally grown and organic food, and the recent Phish Super Ball IX had one of its own. Reverb, the non-profit that is organizing the farmers market at the Caravans, is also working with various concert tours to provide locally-grown food for the meals served to artists and their crews backstage. As if I needed another reason to long for a backstage pass!
• After years warning about the dangers of BPA in food containers, it appears that some California lawmakers are trying to end its use, once and for all. Assembly member Betsy Butler introduced a bill called the Toxin-Free Infant and Toddlers Act, which would ban the use of BPA in baby bottles, sippy cups, infant formula, and baby food. BPA, also known as Bisphenol-A, is harmful chemical that is used in the lining of food and drink containers. Studies show that there is a clear link between BPA and increased risk of cancer, diabetes, reproductive, neurological, and developmental disorders. A BPA-ban is currently pending in 12 states and most recently China announced that they would make a move to ban BPA. Health advocates are hopeful that the legislation will get passed this time around as the FDA has evidence that over 90% of canned foods are contaminated with BPA.
• You know the cover to Led Zeppelin’s “Physical Graffiti” album? Yeah the one with all the fire escapes. Well what I always thought it could use some vegetable gardens. OK, maybe I never thought that before, but gardening on fire escapes is a big trend in urban locations – so much so that a store opened in San Francisco last month catering just to people who want to grow veggies on those little metal escape routes.

So what Food and Farm happenings are grabbing your attention? I’d really like to know. Please send any interesting links, or just your thoughts, my way. I’d love to hear from you.

Another disaster and another media hit and run in Louisiana. Just when are they going to catch a break? I am not sure about any of you but the last time I saw a headline about the Mississippi river flooding in the coastal states was almost the last time I wrote you! Anyways, here’s the break down about, well, the breakdown in the Gulf Coast states.

• According to the ever-reliable Army Corps of Engineers,  worst of the flooding in Louisiana is over. That may be so, but it gives no mention to the towns and people devastated by opened “spillways”: the Corp’s way of fixing the problem in order to spare major metropolitan areas. It was the first time in 38 years that this has been done. This video offers some shocking insight into current U.S. flood protection and how the precious bayous of Louisiana are designed to take of the brunt of it.
• The Mississippi river floods are on track to cause even more woes for Gulf Coast residents. This year’s flooding is expected to cause one of the largest dead zones on record. A dead zone is an area of water where no life can exist, and this one is expected to be large enough to cover New Jersey and Delaware combined! Dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico have often been attributed to increased levels of nitrogen and phosphorous from farm fertilizer and animal manure. The levels of these pollutants are expected to spike with the increased runoff from farm lands. Yet another example of the delicate line between human consumption and ecological preservation.
• In a surprise move, one oil company blames another for the Gulf oil spill. Transocean, the entity that owned the blasted rig, released a report finding that BP should be held responsible entirely for the disaster. This comes following BP’s report, press campaigns and lawsuit against Transocean. Will the finger pointing ever end?
• I’d like to give a shout out to HeadCount’s friends at the Gulf Restoration Network, who have teamed up with the environmental (and musical) non-profit Reverb for the Brett Dennen Loverboy Tour. On the tour, volunteers all over the country told people about the importance of carbon reduction, the need for more clean water, and of course MORE HELP for the Gulf of Mexico! GRN also does neat stuff like educating the folks at Bonnaroo about their work and keeping the world abreast of breaking news like the appearance of a new oil sheen seen off the Louisiana coast.
• In other NOLA related news, longtime crescent city band The Radiators played one of their final gigs, a benefit concert for HeadCount at the Brooklyn Bowl on June 1st. Between the delicious fried chicken and great live music it felt like a real New Orleans party! Following the benefit concert the Radz played their final three shows at the legendary rock sanctuary Tipitina’s to a very emotional crowd. The band has been a staple on the New Orleans music scene since the late 70’s and will be missed.

Whether you are located in the Gulf or elsewhere, remember there are things you can do to draw awareness in the Gulf. Look for volunteer opportunities, organize your own Hands Across the Sand, or simply share your own comments or opinions about the Gulf Coast happenings.

Summer has arrived and festival season is upon us! I'm now wearing another hat at HeadCount – traveling from festival to festival and running the HeadCount booth. DMB Caravan in Atlantic City was awesome (my favorites were Ray LaMontagne and Amos Lee). If you’ll be at Super Ball, Camp Bisco, Gathering of the Vibes or Newport Folk Festival, please stop by and say “Hi”! I may even hand you a $50 Patagonia gift card (read on).

• Climate change has been a hot topic in the news and political arena recently. The rise in deadly, destructive tornadoes in the Midwest and the South, most notably in Joplin, Missouri, has gained global attention. Whether climate change is to blame for the increasing frequency of these brutal storms is an ongoing and serious debate. Some, such as activist and author Bill McKibben, argue (in a smart satirical manner) that it seems impossible for these occurrences to not relate to one another. Others say the spiking death tolls are likely due to the increase in population density. What do you think?
• May 20, 2011 was Endangered Species Day and May 2, International Day of Biodiversity. However, Congress recently weakened the Endangered Species Act with the removal of Rocky Mountain wolves from protection, making the celebrations seem a bit like lip service. This action is the first time Congress has directly intervened in endangered species process and could signal a trend of interference. Animals aren’t the only endangered bodies that have environmentalists worried; American Rivers has released its annual list of top 10 most endangered rivers (photos). Number one on the list? The Susquehanna in PA, NY and MD. American Rivers say fracking is putting the quality of its water in danger.
• Speaking of that darn fracking, it is becoming a hot topic these days among musicians, the media and… oil company shareholders. Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a controversial gas-drilling technique featured in the film Gasland (have you seen the clip where a guy sets the water coming from his kitchen sink on fire?) that creates liquid and solid waste. Companies employing the technique say the waste is clean and safe, even though the contents of and quantity of the waste is still unknown. Because of the Energy Policy Act in 2005, the chemicals used for fracking are not subject to government oversight. Although Exxon Mobile is among the companies claiming that the practice is not dangerous, at least a third of their shareholders are skeptical. The shareholders backed a proposal requiring increased transparency on the risks of fracking, as did 2/5 of Chevron’s shareholders earlier this year. As a result, the state of Michigan recently changed their fracking laws in the name of increased transparency. Meanwhile, Levon Helm and Arlo Guthrie performed at a special anti-fracking benefit concert in Cooperstown, NY in May.
• Another environmental issue that’s grabbed the attention of Hollywood, musicians and activists is mountain top removal. A feature film called “The Last Mountain” is in theaters now and getting great reviews. (85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes!) Mountain Top removal was also the subject of a “Flash Mob” and march at Bonnaroo recently (which was amazing), organized by some of the environmental groups in Planet Roo. Check out the photos on HeadCount’s Facebook page.
• In other music and environmental news, HeadCount is teaming up with Patagonia to promote the brand’s “Buy a Song, Benefit the Environment” campaign. The Patagonia Music Collective features a wide variety of music supporting a plethora of environmental groups. An exclusive song was donated for purchase on iTunes by each musician that will benefit a selected environmental group. Some of the HeadCount artists included are Jack Johnson, Pearl Jam, moe., Brett Dennen, Umphrey’s McGee, Galactic and more. Check out more artists and causes here or download a track or full album. What’s more, if you download an album and come by the HeadCount booth at any major festival (the ones I named above, plus Electric Forest, High Sierra, All Good, Pitchfork,Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, moe.down and Virgin Mobile) and show us that you’ve purchased a PMC album on your phone or iPod, you could be the lucky winner of a $50 Patagonia gift card! One per festival, so arrive early!

I hope you've enjoyed the latest in sustainability and climate change news. Any time you find some cool environmental news on the Web, please send it my way and I’ll include it in the next update (or store in the old noggin as an interesting read). Please do come say hello at the festivals this summer and I'll see you on the road!!