Photos courtesy of Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance.
Willie Nelson was honored last by the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance, and the Amazon Watch, when they presented him with the 2011 Visionary Award, as part of their Summer Fundraiser in San Francisco. Willie performed at the event, along with Sara Wasserman, – Dan Hicks, Tommy Castro, Narada Michael Walden, Randy Emata, Jaz Sawyer, Robin Sylvester and members of The Legendary Glide Memorial Choir-, — and many others at their fundraiser.
Every year the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance honors an individual or an organization for championing the cause of the environment, and for challenging the status quo in order to bring about real change. This year the SBA honored Music Legend Willie Nelson for his continued support of environmental and social causes through his work, his music and his life.
The Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance has been dedicated to supporting sustainable, community-based biodiesel programs since 2006 and works closely with artists like Willie Nelson, Jack Johnson and Guster, educating fans and sourcing locally produced biodiesel and blends for tours, festivals and large scale fleets. The organization is also focused on creating transparency for the consumer through the development of a certification system for local, sustainable biodiesel in the United States. I encourage you to learn more about the SBA and our work by contacting me directly or visiting www.fuelresponsibly.org
Amazon Watch partners with indigenous and environmental organizations campaigning for human rights, corporate accountability and the preservation of the Amazon’s fragile and priceless ecological systems. Amazon Watch is a known leader in protecting the rainforest and advancing the rights of indigenous peoples in the Amazon Basin. To learn more about the great work of Amazon Watch check out their website at www.amazonwatch.org.
For information about the work of the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance, information about sustainable biodiesel, how to get involved and how you can support the SBA, visit their website.
Jennifer Raiser went to the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance event in San Francisco last night, and posted this. To read her entire post, visit her web site.
“And while the evening stretched on with no Willie in sight, beyond the Melons organic catering, beyond the Michael Jang rocker photos and signed Bob Weir guitar in the auction, beyond the smooth introductions and transitions by “Tao of Willie” author Turk Pipkin, beyond the extended but excellent performances by the earnest Sara Wasserman, the soulful Glide Memorial Church Choir Trio, the engaging Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks, the bluesy Tommy Castro, there was a Nelson.
First biofuel spokeswoman Annie Nelson, who took the stage, Thelma-and-Louise style with Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance Director/Founder Kelly King to share her impassioned message of decentralized, local energy with to the equally impassioned audience.
And then, finally, the man she referred to as “Our little biofuel Yoda,” her husband Willie. Utterly recognizable, and shockingly intense and happy to begin playing his famously beat-up guitar named Trigger at eleven o’clock at night, he had the crowd at hello. By then, everyone was on their feet and up front, a sustainable mosh pit of planetary passion that needed a little musical respite from the intensity. Launching into crowd favorites “You Were Always on My Mind,” “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” and “On the Road Again,” the music made whatever challenges the planet or people were facing drift into melodious, sing-along oblivion. With his shoulder-length gray braids fastened with “Sustainable Biofuel” buttons, his red-white-and-blue macramé guitar strap, and his brown suede sneakers, he looked and sounded thirty years younger than his 78 eventful years variously spent touring in his biofuel bus, advocating for the downtrodden, defending his enterprises and habits, and singing with that distinctive twang and phrasing. All of which made Willie the most welcome red-headed stranger that would ever venture into the former Federal Reserve of San Francisco.”
Read entire article at her web site.
www.sustainablebiodieselalliance.com
The Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance (SBA) was founded in December 2006 by biodiesel pioneer Kelly King, activist Annie Nelson and film maker Daryl Hannah. Since then, the SBA has grown to include family farmers and farm organizations such as Farm Aid, the Institute for Agriculture Trade and Policy (IATP), members of the 25 x 25 coalition, environmental organizations including the EPA and NREL, renewable energy experts and NGO’s and university programs across the country.
The SBA addresses issues concerning the sustainability of the U.S. biodiesel Industry through three initiatives. The primary mission of the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance is the completion of an independent sustainability certification system for U.S. Biodiesel Feedstock, Production, Distribution and end use fuel. SBA programs also focus on educating the public on the values of community-based biodiesel systems and how local, sustainable biodiesel can help the U.S. move towards energy, economic and environmental security. Third, the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance provides tools for sustainability to biodiesel consumers and the biodiesel industry through our website and membership.
By working with biodiesel consumers and the biodiesel industry, and promoting the value of sustainable community-based systems,the SBA is bringing people together to build a sustainable energy future that benefits all sectors of society. The Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance relies on the hard work and dedication of our working Board of Directors, the SBA Staff and the expertise of the SBA Advisory Council to achieve the goals of the organization. These dedicated and driven individuals come from all areas of the industry and each contribute unique and valuable skills to the mission of the SBA.