Musicforaction.org launched

The Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund has teamed up with some of the biggest names in music to encourage Americans to speak up in the ongoing conversations on climate change.

As part of its continuous effort to keep Congress and the White House focused on clean energy and climate change legislation, the NRDC Action Fund encourages people to visit a new website www.Musicforaction.org. Visitors can e-mail President Barack Obama, their senators, or editors of their local newspapers to push for action on climate change and in return receive a free “Best of Bonnaroo” music download.

Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Jack Johnson and other top artists are giving away their music to encourage their fans to get involved in the debate. The NRDC Action Fund organized this campaign with the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival and HeadCount – a nonpartisan civic engagement organization best known for registering voters at concerts.

“Forging a clean energy future means healthier kids, a safer world, and more jobs,” said Heather Taylor-Miesle, director of the NRDC Action Fund. “This is our moment to demand that Congress put us on the path to a clean energy future by beginning to address climate change. We are excited about the opportunity to work with musicians and new activists throughout the country to make it happen.”

The musicians we work with are very passionate about this topic and have great power to drive change,” said HeadCount’s Executive Director Andy Bernstein. “Their music will serve as a soundtrack for action.”

The download compilation also includes live tracks from Wilco, Death Cab for Cutie, My Morning Jacket, O.A.R., and Ani DiFranco, among others. In most cases these recordings have never before been released to the public.

This is the NRDC Action Fund’s second major call to action on climate change. Rolling Stone Magazine deemed its online video campaign at www.thisisourmoment.org with Leonardo DiCaprio, Edward Norton, Chace Crawford, Jason Bateman as the “Best PSA Ever.”