Teresa Doyle tackles hot political issues in new album

Singer-songwriter Teresa Doyle's newest album doesn't shy away from contentious issues I Remember Canada is chock-full of songs with a strong environmental and socioeconomic message.

Songs like The World is in a Pickletackle Canada's role in international warfare, while Let's Ban the Foolin' Frackingaddress the environmental problems of fracking.

Of all the crazy things that humans do on this planet,frackinghas got to beway up there.- Teresa Doyle

"I guess I've always been less inclined to write about loving and hurting and cheatingand what's going on in my own life, maybe because I've been married to the same person for over a quarter century," Doyle told CBC's On the Go in a a recent interview.

Doyle said Let's Ban the Foolin' Frackingwas inspired by a news story about a woman in Alberta who had so much methane leaking into her well water that when she turned onto her faucetshe could actually light her water.

"Of all the crazy things that humans do on this planet, fracking has got to be way up there," Doyle said.

"When you start pumping 5-600 chemicals in a secret cocktail, put high pressure into the ground to cause small quakes that release oil and gas, it's pretty crazy."

Ran for Greens in federal election

The Prince Edward Island singer has a degree in political scienceand saidshe's always been interested in politics.

However, it wasn't until the recent federal election that Doyle actually decided to enter the political game and run for the Green Party.

• Teresa Doyle nominated for Greens in Cardigan

Doyle said she had to be pulled "kicking and screaming" into candidacy, but ended up really enjoying it.

"Because I'm a political animal, nine times out of 10 I'm driving my friends crazy talking about global warming, or democracy, or how free trade deals are destroying the country and the planet. So I have to temper myself so I still have some friends at the end of the day," she said.

"But during an election campaign you can actually natter on about this stuff all of the time."

While Doyle's album is highly critical, she saidshe's still hopeful about the future.

"I think in the last month or two we've seen a tremendous move forward in consciousness about climate change," she said.

"And we've got a new government that seems really committed to turning the corner on this, so there'slots of reasons to be optimistic."