MJ is Gone But His Legacy of Environmental Concern Remains...

[Triana]

As the music industry and fans across the world mourn the death of pop icon Michael Jackson, they reflect on the legacy he leaves behind, which is not just one of unprecedented chart success, but also of environmental concern.

A fact often overlooked is that despite the many legendary hits Jackson achieved in the UK, many of which would define his image in the popular imagination, it was Earth Song - a tune lamenting the destruction of the world's endangered rainforests and natural habitats - that earned the star his biggest ever selling single in Britain.

The track spent six weeks at the top of the charts in 1995, securing the coveted Christmas number one spot and selling more than a million copies. Despite not being released in the US, Earth Song went on to reach top five status in almost every other country in Europe.

Shot in multiple locations including the Amazon rainforest, the music video features Jackson walking through a deserted drought-ridden landscape, invoking a post-apocalyptic vision of what the earth could look like if deforestation and climate change are not challenged.


...


...in the days leading up to his death, environmental issues were not far from Jackson's mind. Chopra, who knew the singer for 20 years, said he had been working on a new song about climate change.

Writing in the Huffington Post, Chopra said he received a message from the star saying he needed help with lyrics for the new environmental song which had already been recorded as a demo.

With lyrics that highlighted the damage caused to the environment, some see Jackson's music - particularly Earth Song - as a call to arms, an anthem encouraging people to take part in rainforest conservation and fight global warming.

This is perhaps the lasting legacy that the singer will leave behind among those within the environmental community and beyond.


http://www.coolearth.org/306/whats-new-32/rainforest-news-155/michael-jackson-is-gone-but-his-legacy-of-environmental-concern-remains-773.html

[virgogal]

1. Oh baloney. He was the ultimate materialistic consumer.

[Triana]

4. Oh lookie. It's the Al Gore Offense!

Straight out of the Republican playbook. Ol Al was a big environmental hog and consumer too - that made him a hypocrite on environmental issues, dontchaknow.

:eyes:

Let me ask, what have YOU done to bring more awareness to Environmental issues and rainforest destruction in your lifetime? How does it compare to Jackson's record on it - as well as on social justice and poverty issues? How many HIT songs have you written and performed on these issues? How about videos? How many have you made and sold? How much money have you raised from them and from your concerts and tours and given it ALL to environmental and charity groups INSTEAD OF KEEPING IT FOR YOURSELF? How many lectures have you given on the topics - using your monumental worldwide fame and influence to try to bring awareness and make change?

Let's compare!

If not, STFU and stop trying to drag the man down to YOUR level just to feel better about yourself. Pfft.

Amazing the numbers of DUers who profess to be PROGRESSIVE - but when a TRUE PROGRESSIVE WHO ACTUALLY DOES SOMETHING PROGRESSIVE - and REALLY makes a difference in the World (and Jackson obviously DID or worldwide environmental groups wouldn't be writing about it), they shit on 'em.

Wow. There are a lot of Republicans here.

[virgogal]

6. No one comes to my concerts and lectures so I have nothing to give.

And I feel just fine about myself,just fine, and since you know nothing about me your rant is entirely unnecessary. Pfft.

[madrchsod]

2. i think his tour would had been his best ever

after watching just those few minutes of his last rehearsal he would have regained his title as the king of pop.

[Triana]

3. No doubt....

...that was the plan. And environmental issues were to be front and center as far as the music.

[Catherine Vincent]

7. Personally, I don't think he needed to regain his title since he never lost it

And I don't think he ever planned on touring since he didn't like to tour. This concert movie was planned from the start.

[gk88850]

5. Good on Mike