Janet Ritz

Janet Ritz is an award-winning musician, author and environmental activist who writes about foreign policy and environmental politics for THE ENVIRONMENTALIST (www.the-environmentalist.com). A committed environmental writer and composer, several of Janet's compositions have been used for charitable causes, including the late Dennis Weaver's environmental events known as the "International Hydrogen Drives," where celebrities form caravans of alternatively fueled vehicles to raise public awareness. In 2005, Janet was awarded Yamaha's International Music Production Prize (first Place) for a composition chosen as the theme for Weaver's events. Janet has also written extensively about the Kurdish people, ancient religions and the connection between the environment, declining resources and geopolitical tipping points and participated in the 2004 U.S. presidential election, crafting messages for voters and by originating an Internet based grassroots community active in all fifty states. Following the presidential race, Janet directed her "grassrooters" to the League of Conservation Voters and returned to her creative pursuits in both music and writing.