changeadminColdplay reduced their carbon emissions by 47 percent on their 2022-23 world tour compared to their earlier tours;
Grammy Award-winning composer Ricky Kej wore the same outfit for the 2022 Grammy Awards and the Cannes Film Festival, and another Grammy-winning artist highlighted the merits of sustainable fashion.
Billie Eilish prioritized plant-based food and renewable energy at her concerts in 2022.
These celebrities are a growing list of artists from the music industry who are championing the cause of planet protection and environment-conscious behavior.
Apart from the intensive energy consumption for music production, the artists in the music industry typically conduct large-scale concerts and festivals, which consume substantial energy for lighting, sound systems, and venue operations. In addition, music concerts and festivals often generate waste like food leftovers, single-use food packaging, beverage containers, and promotional materials.
To top it all off, tours involve extensive travel for artists, crews, equipment, and fans who come to the concert. Tour buses, trucks carrying equipment, and air travel for international tours contribute to transportation emissions.
While writing songs on environmental issues has been part of the music industry for a long time, lately, there has been a wider recognition of environmental concerns resulting from musical concerts and festivals.
In 2019, the British band Cold Play, famous for songs like “Viva la Vida” and “The Scientist,” postponed music tour plans.
Four years later, after completing one year into their world tour, they posted an update on their social media handles: “On a show-by-show comparison, the Music Of The Spheres Tour has so far produced 47% less CO2e emissions than our last stadium tour (2016-17).”
Per their claims, Prof. John E. Fernandez of the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative independently validated this data. Cold Play incorporates methods such as using electric battery systems powered by renewable energy, leveraging electric vehicles and alternative fuels, and reducing plastic waste.
An update on our sustainable touring initiatives 💚https://t.co/KmgrbEXmld#MusicOfTheSpheresWorldTour pic.twitter.com/cLWfrTXMjQ
— Coldplay (@coldplay) June 2, 2023
Then we have a young pop star, Billie Eilish, winner of the 2024 Academy Award for Best Original Song, who has made lowering the environmental footprint of her music a top priority. In
Billie partnered with the nonprofit Reverb for the Music Decarbonization Project, utilizing solar-charged intelligent batteries to power her set. The zero-emissions battery system reduced the use of highly polluting diesel generators, which artists typically use to power their stage.
Besides Billie Eilish, Reverb works with many other music artists, like Dave Matthews and Roots, to make music more sustainable. Founded in 2004 by environmentalist Lauren Sullivan and her musician husband, Adam Gardner, Reverb has partnered with environmental organization programs to eliminate single-use plastic items and reduce food-related environmental impact.
Wrapping Up
A new report by the World Metrological Organisation indicates that global warming will reach 1.5 degrees Celsius in 2023. Heatwaves, floods, droughts, and wildfires are causing huge distress and affecting millions worldwide.
Given this state, music fans and artists must take note and contribute in whatever way they can.
Musicians can not only generate awareness about climate change and eco-conscious behaviors; they can also significantly contribute to mitigating its impact.
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