Ben Jelen Gives Back to the Earth

Keeping with his environmentally friendly sensibilities, singer-songwriter Ben Jelen has started a foundation in his name to collect money for his cause. "Basically, there are four main areas that I'm going to split the money into," Jelen tells Spinner. "Awareness, to educate teens on the environment; humanitarian causes, which is like those most affected by climate change, that's going to be international; a quarter for political causes, to different groups that lobby for environmental change; and a quarter for investment -- investing in clean energy. It's really fun to be a part of this."

The environment has been a longtime cause for Jelen. After earning a biology degree at Rutgers, he became involved with political lobbying organizations.

"It's just been growing. It just made sense to spearhead it myself," Jelen says about the Ben Jelen Foundation. "I learned the personal touch just makes a difference. If I'm at something, or I'm doing something, I feel like I'm over control of it, I can guide it better. It's a lot more work. That's been really good for me."

His work also includes promoting his latest album, 'Ex-Sensitive,' his debut effort for Custard Records, founded by 4 Non Blondes frontwoman Linda Perry. She also produced and co-wrote songs with Jelen. "I met Linda while I was still signed with Maverick," he says. "I was looking around for people to write with. I was just trying to get out there and meet people and get inspired by relationships with people and such."

She also encourages his activities surrounding the environment. The single 'Wreckage' will be released on April 22 -- Earth Day. "The video for the song is kind of abstract but it has to do with nature, love and plants -- these simple things on our planet," he says. "Linda understands me and wants to bring the things that I am passionate about out of me, rather than just boxing it up."

To that end, Jelen will play a special show at New York clothing store Replay on Earth Day. Ten percent of the store's sales that week will be donated to the Ben Jelen Foundation.