| Issue #50, March 23, 2007 |
review: rock n’ renew at the publick house
by Sabrina C. Mashburn
On Monday night, a motley crew of environmentalists, beer lovers, rock n’ roll types and the after-work set came together to support one of the most exciting new charitable endeavors to come along during this “Green Industrial Revolution” – Rock n’ Renew. The concept is simple. Downplay the gloom and doom aspects of Global Warming, and give kids a simple, ten-step plan of action that they can complete to reduce their own impact on the environment, as well as the impact of their schools, homes and communities. Each plan is targeted at different age groups, so children as young as five years old can still make a difference.
The unlikely mastermind behind all this is Jonny Dubowski, the lead singer of the popular indie-rock band Jonny Lives! Jonny explains that “If every house in America replaced one light bulb with an energy-saving, compact, fluorescent light bulb, it would be the equivalent of taking one million cars off the road.” Unlike some radical environmentalists, Jonny understands how difficult it is to change the way people have been living for 25, 35, 45 or 55 years and convince them to “go green.” But if teachers and role models can make living sustainably seem as “second-nature as breathing, or brushing your teeth every morning” to kids, then there is a chance that America will reach its goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 70%, back to the same level as in 1992, by the year 2050.
Although Rock n’ Renew has only been in existence since July of 2006, actors and musicians from all corners of the entertainment industry have rallied behind the singer to support his message that changing the way children use energy in their day to day lives is the key to saving them from suffocating on their own CO2 emissions in the future. Debbie Harry from Blondie has pledged her support to Rock n’ Renew, along with actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Kaal Pen from Harold and Kumar go to White Castle and Van Wilder and musicians from bands like The Strokes, The Kaiser Chiefs, Fountains of Wayne, Everclear, Morningwood and other stars that children look up to. Many of these supporters will all be on hand at Rock n’ Renew’s Earth Day celebration on April 21 in New York City to help celebrate the achievements of children from schools who have completed the three-phase Rock n’ Renew curriculum, and the winners of the Rock n’ Renew student film contest, which aims to capture the student film that shows the most energy-saving solutions.
Ten schools from across the country have already completed the three-part Rock n’ Renew curriculum, which was devised by The Northeastern Energy Alliance, The National Clean Cities Program and Jonny Dubowski. More than 40 others are in the midst of the curriculum. Each grade is presented with an age-appropriate curriculum to follow. Due to the fact that Jonny Lives! is constantly touring the country, Jonny is able to speak at schools while on tour, then check up on their progress each time his band passes through that town or city while on tour. Art, Science, Math and Creative Writing teachers are given projects to complete with the children, and older students are given assignments to spread the message of renewable energy and energy conservation through their school newspaper and other local media. Jonny has actually visited schools for a second time, noting how they could still improve. On a third visit, Jonny realizes that his advice had been put into practice. He explained how he visited the school for a second time and saw too many cars in the parking lot. He then told the kids, “some of you must pass each other on the way to school. Why don’t you carpool?” When Jonny came back for his third visit, there were fewer cars in the parking lot and just as many kids at the school. They had actually listened to his advice!
Jonny believes that “the youngest kids are the most passionate and want to help the most.” At his shows, he sets up a table where he can talk to kids after the concert and teach them about how to use sustainable energy sources and how they can get in touch with him so he can come to their schools and help them “go green.” Rock n’ Renew is also in the process of linking teachers from countries around the world with their local environmental organizations and setting them up with the tools necessary to complete the three-part curriculum. Through all of his endeavors with Rock n’ Renew, Jonny tries to empower children and let them know that their actions and opinions matter – and that the world is listening.
To learn more about Rock n’ Renew and how you can get Jonny and other rock stars to visit your school, visit www.rocknrenew.com.
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