Green Hands USA: America Volunteers

You can say that rockers Solar Punch have a sunny disposition every time they take to the stage. The New York-based band, currently traveling in India with the Indian Youth Climate Network (IYCN)  as part of the 2009 Climate Solutions Road Tour, uses solar technology to power their instruments and amplifiers and to record their sessions.

Formed in 2007 by science educator Alan Bigelow and animation designer James Dean Conklin, Solar Punch wanted to engage the environmental movement musically and spread the message ?that solutions to climate change are here now.? They were soon joined by bass player Andrew Mattina and drummer Frank Marino and, armed with solar panels and rechargeable batteries, began performing with live, available sunlight at environmental awareness events and local farmer?s markets.

Their India tour is a comprehensive?and ambitious?one. Using solar-powered music, art and workshops, Solar Punch and IYCN hope to engage the youth of India in the environmental movement. They kicked off the tour in Chennai, on the east coast of India, with an official ceremony and a blessing of their ?fleet??a bio-diesel-fueled tour bus.

Photo credit: Water Lemon/flickr