The brainchild of John Kruth and Jeff Greene, TriBeCaStan is a whimsical melange of timbres, textures, and tunes (Oh my!) and a very fun outlet for all the musical eclecticism of its founders.

During APAP week I ventured to the East Village to the Duo Multicultural Arts Center, which has a historic old theater in the East Village, where Greene (who  has a mural restoration company) had snagged a night to showcase the band. The wine flowed, folks schmoozed and we were treated to a high energy night of musique trés intérresant, complete with dancers. I've chosen the first song "BedBugs" to present here, even though it got off to a bumpy start -- and apologies for the camera's audio, there isn't much sound separation. But as I like to say, "Ya can't make chowder without a clam or two, but oh my my it's a tasty stew!"  You'll get the idea.

For more on the band visit: www.tribecastan.tv

To see a TriBeCaStan tango, click here.

TriBeCaStan is John Kruth Jeff Greene, Claire Daly, Todd Isler, Kenny Margolis, Boris Kinberg, Chris Morrow, John Turner, Dave Dreiwitz, and Mike Duclos

For more of Michal's original music videos, visit inter-muse.com

Tunisian rapper Hamada Ben Amor, known as El Général, released "Rayes Lebled'' or "Head of State" around the same time as Mohamed Bouazizi's self-immolation. El Général's song spoke out against the now former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and has been labeled the "rap song that sparked a revolution."

Following the success of the Tunisian uprising, Palestinian artists joined forces to honor the Tunisian people with a song entitled "Green Revolution." Rapper Mahmoud Jrere from pop-rap group DAM thanked the Tunisians for giving them hope "instead of depression and boredom from politicians," as Mahmoud Darwish wondered "how can we be cured from our love for Tunisia?" and ended the song by admitting "we love you Tunisia more than we thought we knew."

Central Cairo's Tahrir or Liberation Square was the Egyptian uprising's battleground that remained relatively peaceful. For 18 days, videos exhibiting the Egyptian people's humor and love of music went viral on YouTube. The song in the video below was sung by protestors camped out at the square, addressing former President Hosni Mubarak.

After the people toppled Hosni Mubarak, a group of "several notable musicians from North America teamed up to release a song of solidarity and empowerment." Their song is entitled #Jan25, in reference to the Egyptian protest hashtag that was trending on Twitter at the time. The artists said, "this track serves as a testament to the revolution's effect on the hearts and minds of today's youth, and the spirit of resistance it has come to symbolize for oppressed people worldwide."

Libya's struggle for freedom and democracy began on February 17. In an effort to mobilize the youth, Tripoli rapper Ibn Thabit released a song titled "Call to the Libyan Youth" inviting them to "live standing up on [their] feet, not on [their] knees." (Full translation here)

In a humorous reprise of Tracy Chapman's classic “Talkin 'Bout A Revolution,” Israeli band Shmemel talked about “An Arab Revolution.” The 10-member group displayed solidarity with the Arab uprising through a video that is steeped in orientalist imagery. Shmemel allied itself with those fighting for "freedom" and "liberation," and identified with the struggle against "people who are trying to bring us down from Washington to Tel Aviv to Tehran," offering listeners an uncommonly heard Israeli voice.

(ITN News: 1030 PST, February 25, 2011) Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has addressed his supporters in Green Square, Tripoli.

Raw Video: Gaddafi Asks Supporters to Fight Back

(Associated Press: 0957 PST, February 25, 2011) Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has told a crowd of his supporters massed in a central Tripoli square to fight back against protesters and "defend the nation."

(Associated Press: 0730 PST, February 22, 2011) Libyan forces were reportedly cracking down on anti-government protesters in the capital overnight, while elsewhere in the Middle East demonstrations were continuing in Bahrain and Yemen.

Jamie Henn from 350.org stated in an interview on Tuesday with OneClimate.net that he believes there are two difference strategies by which one could approach the UNFCCC climate talks in Cancun and other Conferences of the Parties (COPs). He says the first and most prevalent strategy is to try and make small steps of progress each year towards building a larger treaty. The other and more important strategy, in Henn's opinion, is to use the COPs as opportunities to create "outrage" on the lack of progress that are made at these negotiations by key countries who aren't "stepping up to the plate."

Today, on the final day of formal negotiations of COP16, Greenpeace and TckTckTck, along with volunteers from several other NGOs, showed their support for the latter strategy by carrying out an extravagant stunt on the beach outside the Crown Paradise Club resort in Cancun. Well over a hundred people showed up to participate and cover the event, which involved creating a bird's eye image (using the help of renowned human banner aerial artist John Quigley) of climate negotiators being rescued from the sea by a giant inflated life ring. 

The stunt venue was a nice departure from the cold, civilized rooms of the Cancunmesse and Moon Palace, and quite possibly the first time many of the hard working attendees had set foot on the beach during their time in Cancun.

Dozens of barefoot volunteers were given suits and business attire to put on for their roles as negotiators, and then were marched out to sea to start treading water. The remaining participants wearing green and blue shirts represented the civil society and used their bodies to spell out the word "HOPE?" on the sand. Then, the civil society leaped up to drag an enormous orange life ring (15 meters in diameter) into the water where the negotiators were floundering and simulating drowning. Fortunately, no one actually drowned (though their acting was very convincing!), because the civil society came to the rescue and pulled all of the flailing negotiators onto the ring and back to shore.

The symbolism of the event was very clear: Negotiators aren't making sufficient strides towards effectively mitigating green house gases and helping vulnerable communities who are already being impacted by climate change. Today is their last chance at this COP to make crucial compromises and commitments, and the civil society is here to help them do it.

Speaking after the stunt with some of the sandy, dripping wet participants, the tone of reactions was one of hope in these final hours. Local NGOs and folks from all over the world had come to the beach to join together and send a clear message to negotiators who once again hold the fate of the world in their hands. The act was not subtle, or forgiving, but it showed the great responsibility of COP16 participants to come to an agreement, and the urgency to do so. As talks wrap up today, we will find out if this outrage was heard.

Click here for more pictures from COP16.

It's only day three of negotiations at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, and the climate change roller coaster is quickly gaining momentum, with new urgency to release a draft climate agreement before the weekend. On Monday, the U.S. took strides towards regulating emissions when the Environmental Protection Agency announced the dangers of greenhouse gases on human health -- an important step towards setting tougher national emissions standards. But shortly thereafter, the U.S. and others took a hit with the leak of the "Danish Text", a controversial proposal by several parties, such as Denmark, the U.S., and the U.K., that attempts to give regulatory control to rich nations instead of the UN in setting international emissions standards, and drastically reduces CO2 targets for rich countries. This has no doubt infuriated many developing countries who are seeking to hold these very countries accountable for the emissions they produce.

Africa, for example, is demanding reparations for the devastating impact of heavy-emitting countries on their continent's natural resources and environment. Learn more about this from the latest episode of Link's Global Pulse, Africa: Cash for Climate Change?, and then have your say on whether or not you agree. Also, we hear so much about the melting glaciers of the Arctic, but we rarely hear about the lives of the people there, and how they are being impacted by rising temperatures and changes to the environment. This week, Link TV is airing explore: Arctic - Change at the Top of the World for a look at one of the most fragile and remote parts of the world.

Watch more about the effects of global warming on developing countries on Link's Climate Change Video page. One video from the remote Republic of Kiribati, while dated by its title, holds particular relevance due to the emotional presence of tiny island nations making their plea during negotiations this week.

To follow along with the events of the summit in Copenhagen, don't forget to tune in LIVE with Copenhagen 24/7, Link's continuous streaming video of the conference. Get by-the-minute updates through interviews, press conferences, and full coverage of the protests and actions taken on site. Join the live chat, too!

The industrialization of the U.S. food system is multiplying rates of obesity and preventable illness. Our planet is suffering as well: the massive amounts of oil, coal and natural gas needed to produce, distribute and refrigerate our food is putting further strain on the planet's limited resources. I recently heard that a grocery chain that touts themselves as "green" flies their salmon to Japan to be filleted, then flies it back to the U.S. for sale in their stores! Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma and In Defense of Food, says: "When we eat from the modern industrial food system," Pollan says, "we are eating fossil fuel and spewing greenhouse gas."

Though this situation seems abysmal, Pollan offers real alternatives to our current system; alternatives and solutions for a healthier, safer and more environmentally-friendly food supply. Watch the premiere of Michael Pollan: Deep Agriculture tonight at 9PM Eastern/6PM Pacific: click here for more information.

The term "Green Revolution" is associated nowadays with the increased level of environmental consciousness: businesses changing their operations to incorporate more environmental practices, and the advent of environmental consumerism. Actually the "Green Revolution" was a 1960's term that referred to new varieties of rice and wheat for developing countries that were more drought and pest resistant, more responsive to advanced fertilization methods, and ultimately produced higher yielding crops. A comprehensive report [PDF] on the Green Revolution by the International Food Policy Research Institute describes the background and history of this movement.
 
This "Revolution" was a great way to increase yields of wheat and rice production, alleviate hunger and provide an income to poverty-stricken farming communities in developing countries. But now, 4 decades later, other problems are arising. The land is no longer arable due to the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, polluted waterways, salt build-up and eventual loss of biodiversity on farms. The people forced to leave their land are known as environmental migrants or climate refugees. More details on the environmental impacts of the Green Revolution can be found on Wikipedia.

Developing countries, such as Bangladesh and Ethiopia, that could be considered to be among the least responsible for major climate change, are the ones that are being the hardest hit. A video report created by the U.N. Development Program explains the relationship between human development and climate change.

Rice farmers in Bangladesh have lost their crops due to excessive flooding, while farmers in Ethiopia are praying for rain, all resulting in more poverty, starvation and refugees as land becomes less and less arable.
 
However, Indian farmers have taken matters into their own hands by shunning modern agricultural technologies and going back to their traditional ways of farming. According to this article on NPR’s website, an Indian farmer named Sharma enjoyed 20 years of an increase in crop yields and subsequent income as a result of the Green Revolution. Then his soil began to deteriorate and he needed to buy more and more fertilizers to grow the same amount of crops. He soon realized that the only way to sustain his crops was to go organic. In another article, the Guardian states that "Sustainable agriculture involves hard work and does not guarantee huge profits, but it will not harm the farmers' health, brings personal satisfaction, and involves fewer financial risks."
 
The U.S., as one of the world’s largest consumers, can take a stand in reducing its own unsustainable agricultural practices and become a model for other nations, by increasing the demand for organic farming and native plant propagation. The Slow Food Organization is a great international proponent of eating locally grown and prepared foods. Furthermore, if we as citizens of this country demand more government subsidies for organic farmers, then perhaps sustainable farming will gain significant momentum. Here is an article that points to how little the government supports organic farming. The International Society for Cow Protection talks about how the future lies in organic farming, and industrial farming practices are becoming less and less attractive, especially for small farmers. This video indicates how the future might look if we adopt organic farming practices fully. It seems bright indeed!

And learn more about the current state of the food crisis on our dedicated Issue page.

An Interview from the Sustainable Brands Conference ’09 with Kellie A. McElhaney, PhD, UC Berkeley

PART FOUR: Teach Them Well  & Let Them Lead The Way

Now, if you’ve read the other three parts of this blogpost, you already can see why I’m a huge fan of Kellie McElhaney. Yet, perhaps the biggest reason Kellie is a superstar to me is because she is the rockstar mother of two impressive little girls, who are both part of the same generation I am proud to consider myself a part of – the Millenials. Also know as Generation Y, the Millennials are the largest generation in American history. Born between 1978 and 2000, we are 95 million strong, compared to the 78 million Baby Boomers. A new book, Generation We, explains the emerging power of our Millennial Generation, and shows how WE (and older people who think the way WE do) are poised to change our nation and our world for the better. Take a look at this video or visit www.gen-we.org to see how WE are “politically, socially, and philosophically independent, and are spearheading a period of sweeping change in America and around the world”.

Kellie’s older daughter Isabel (who is nine years old, but Kellie says if you ask her she will tell you she is 9 & 7/8ths, ha ha) is quickly becoming Lioness material, in her own efforts to lead the charge of Gen-We. Little Miss Isabel was very disturbed when a tank-top that her mother had ordered from J. Crew arrived in two large cardboard boxes!!!  She decided to take a picture of the thoughtless packaging and include it with her perturbed letter to the CEO of J. Crew, Mickey Drexler.  Get excited for this one ladies and gentleman.  Little Miss Izzy is a sock-knocker-offer!

(Send this to Mickey Drexler, Okay mama?)

Dear Mr.Drexler,

I have something to tell you about J-Crew. Sorry, it's not the best thing about your company. But, your company is great.

Do you know the story called " The Giving Tree"? Well, in the story, that one tree gives up everything to the boy. Everything. Apples, wood, branches, and even the tree stump. Trees' are very valuable, and if we use them like the boy did, we won't have any. None. Zip. Nada. You probably don't get my point yet, but that's what I'm about to explain.

Packaging isn't the hardest thing. As a matter of fact, it's pretty easy. But sometimes you have to give the easier things more thought. And packaging, is an example. When you are packaging your products, what do you think about?  Do you just do it, and get it done? Or do you stop and think how you can make it even better? A big company like J-Crew affects the world in many ways.

My mom got a tiny shirt, in two big boxes. A way to make that issue better, is this: when you package your next products, think about this: Instead of giving her two, give her one. Or you can find a box that is big enough the product fits, but small enough it doesn't have enough room to get up and walk around.

I think if you try this, you will end up not spending as much money on boxes, as well as gas for your trucks, not killing as many trees and getting better feedback from customers, kids, mail men, anybody.

Sincerely,

Kellie's* daughter, Isabel

P.S. I am nine, please respond and, don't take this personally, because it's not only you.

* Kellie McElhaney, author of JUST GOOD BUSINESS

***

This is the photo Isabel took of the J. Crew packaging that the clothing company used to send one tank top to her mother.  She included it in the letter that she sent to J. Crew’s CEO, Mickey Drexler.

Isabel (right, age 9) and her little sister Juliana McElhaney (age 7).

Now, first of all, I’d like to comment on how impressed I am by the fact that this little girl knows the difference between affect and effect! You can tell she’s a real smarty. And secondly, how about that letter?! I wish we could get her in front of Mr. Drexler personally so she could put him on the spot and ask, “Do you get it yet?” Haha!

When Kellie found out that I wanted to post a whole separate piece on her daughter, she asked me to be sure to not give her too much credit for Isabel. “She really is just a product of her generation. She learns a lot just from growing up in today’s world” said Kelly. A true Millenial, and truly one to follow. I’ll be sure to loop you in as I do.

Having said that, Isabel has still not received any response from Mickey, though she did get two standardized and faceless responses from J. Crew telling her to let “them” know if there is anything else “they” can help her with – to which she responded verbally to her mother, “Yeah! Can you help get me a real response and improve your packaging, hello!?!?!”.

They decided to send Mickey a copy of The Giving Tree, and a copy of Kellie’s book, Just Good Business, The Strategic Guide to Aligning Corporate Responsibility & Brand. Sounds like J. Crew isn’t ready to engage, but hopefully one day… they will. Until then, it’s our job to keep inviting them into the dialogue. I’m so razzled by Isabel’s work, and am making it my goal to do something of similar value this week. However, I might let myself consider this blog enough for now! Time to catch a few Z’s.  Let me know what you decide to take on. I can’t wait to hear about it!

Part One: A Force of Nature

Part Two: Being Effective Is More Important Than Being Right

Part Three: The Rules of Engagement

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An Interview from the Sustainable Brands Conference ’09 with Kellie A. McElhaney, PhD, UC Berkeley

PART THREE: The Rules of Engagement

Kellie could tell that just like everyone else at Link TV, I am very nervous about how we are going to start accepting corporate sponsorship. I mean, what drew me to want to work for Link TV in the first place was the boundless freedom that our network shelters. No allegiances means no obligations. At Link TV our only obligation has been to tell the truth. 

Similarly, working in academia, Kellie has created a situation for herself where even though she just received a ten million dollar grant from Dow Chemical (which she admits a lot of people really freaked out about), she is protected by academic freedom. So Dow, according to Kellie, in no way can tell her what kind of research Berkeley can publish even if it’s negative towards the company! She suggested that when we start to work with corporations, Link TV must also write in some sort of journalistic freedom clauses, “Something that states clearly to the sponsor what it means for Link TV to accept money from them– here’s how it’s going to be used, here’s the disclaimers, and if we come across some negative information about you (the sponsor), we are going to have to run it, and hopefully you would be responsive.” According to Kellie, a company like Nike would want to respond, because they don’t want to see a chill in the debate, “They know that is how fallacies get spun into realities.”

That last comment prompted me to tell Kellie that I’ve heard that the more money a corporation has, the more they are able to "greenwash" themselves. I explained that it has been difficult for Link TV to really trust even the most reputable rating systems for CSR in our research. Kellie’s response took me by surprise: “You know, I just read a really interesting statistic that greenwashing is more of a phenomenom that media has construed and less of a reality. There are very few companies who are lying, it’s just a stupid strategy. You could lie on your product and there will be one hundred Youtube videos within a minute, or seven thousands tweets, within a MINUTE that will get the truth out! So even though there are bad people in the world, there are very few who will lie or spend money on branding that is a lie, because if they do it they are going to get caught.”

One of Kellie’s rules, which she is pretty adamant about, is to never work with the corporate handlers, whose jobs she says are to often times obscure the truth. She advises going straight to the company itself, ideally the head of CSR, illuminating that PR agencies and the branding people typically don’t know what the company’s CSR strategy is. 

This lack of holisticity made me wonder if I personally have mistaken corporate ignorance for corporate greed, which reminded me to tell Kellie that KoAnn Skrzyniarz, creator of the Sustainable Brands Conference, had told me that she truly believes there are just as many good people in the corporate world as there are bad ones. Kellie said she actually thinks there is more good than bad to corporations, “They have probably just become a little passive in assertive their goodness. Good people don’t get press.”

She reminded me again of the Cisco example, and how she believes Cisco of course would not want to be seen as bad just because they laid off janitors. “They probably have really good numbers on why they had to lay them off, but mainstream media now only provides one sided exposés about why companies do what they do. I’ve always thought media has been part of the problem, so I’m glad you want to be part of the solution.”

As Kellie said, “There is definitely an element of fear, and definitely an element of risk, but it’s going to be different from company to company.” She explained how Walmart tends to be pretty risk-averse, but how even they are changing. “I mean they are in their shareholder meeting this week and it’s all on Youtube and Twitter— It’s amazing how much they are opening up.” 

So we’ve got to be brave and open up too. Trust me, it wasn’t easy to write this!  It didn’t necessarily feel right, but it does feel effective— and that’s the empowering, self-sustaining energy that delivers us down from our towers and onto the grounds where a foundation needs to be built for a better future. Our mission here at Link TV has always been to create cross-cultural understanding.  We cannot stop tearing down fences when it comes to corporate culture. With corporations becoming larger than countries and part of all countries, this type of dialogue is perhaps the most powerful one we will ever have on Link TV.

Part Four: Teach Them Well  & Let Them Lead The Way

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