Going Greener for Musicians

Joyce (Earth Mama®) Rouse checking Magnificent Healing Cd's from new energy efficient manufacturing process.

There is a revolution happening in every facet of life. Some people call it the “New Green Economy,” or “Sustainability”. Others refer to it as “The Race to Save the Planet.” Whatever phrase on behalf of Earth’s best interest you choose, its clear that in the music world as in any segment of life, culture or work, we have vast choices every day. Often we are so used to doing something one way that we don’t see the growing number of healthier choices available.

If you can hit the record button on Garage Band, you can release a CD. But did you know that you can eliminate the shrink wrap and the jewel case with a variety of recycled paper packaging choices? And that you can request all soy-based ink, which is not made from petroleum?

Many printers will not mention the choice of recycled paper unless you ask for it, but you and your PR team can build a beautiful promo package using gorgeous 100 percent recycled paper stock for every piece. Look for a printer who is certified to use Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) paper. They will include a small logo of FSC on your print piece so that your savvy listeners will know that you are caring for the planet as you make great music!


* A sustainable society is one that satisfies its needs without jeopardizing the prospects of future generations. — Lester Brown, World Watch Institute

First, Let's Stop the Stupid Stuff (or Blowin'in the Wind)

The Virginia House of Delegates once again struck a blow to clotheslines, (were they all strung out on something?) refusing to stop community associations from banning them in neighborhoods. The State Senate passed it, but the House bill died from the dreaded disease, “party lines,” in committee. I’ll let you guess which party is opposed to air drying your clothes in your own backyard. Oddly enough, it might just be the same one that is always howling about too much regulation.

I have now been clothes-dryer-free for 7 years. I have extra space in my laundry room. The hanging damp clothes add humidity to dry winter air. I use less whitening agent because I let the summer sun do the bleaching. The clothes smell great and the towels are crunchy, so they really dry your skin instead of just pushing the wet around. (I once lived in a neighborhood in Tennessee where clotheslines were banned, but I moved before I could be arrested or test it in the courts.) I am free, free, free of another energy hog appliance.

What in blazes are they thinking in Richmond...(and Brentwood)? Can they not connect two dots?

We live in a season of great change on Earth. Climate disruption is triggering water shortages and flooding, glacial melting and deforestation, ocean changes and unusual species migration. That is Massive Climate Disruption (MCD) caused by CO2 production from burning of fossil fuels. It doesn’t take a Ph.D. to see that the MORE conservation of gas and electricity by NOT running those dryers, means LESS CO2, and a MORE stable climate.

Or can it be that SOMEONE thinks that what you hang in your own backyard is his business? Or could it be that Party Line holds more sway than Clothes Line?
Please send alarm clocks to Richmond (or YOUR state capital) and tell the boys to wake up!

OY-VAY.

Climate Change action: First, let’s stop the stupid stuff, like banning solar clothes dryers.

resource songs:
“Less is More” from Around the World with Earth Mama CD
“Habitat” from Under the Rainbow CD by Earth Mama
“Energy” tango from Around the World with Earth Mama CD
“They Were Right” from Love Large CD by Earth Mama

songs at www.earthmama.org or www.itunes.com/earthmama