Global warming is no longer a theory — human beings are making massive and potentially catastrophic changes to the world’s ecosystem.
As this “inconvenient truth” becomes more impossible to ignore by the day (Australia, anyone?), eco-friendly musicians all over the world are coming together to reduce waste and lower greenhouse gas emissions. From Paraguayan school children making musical instruments out of garbage to the widespread adoption of concepts like “Green Touring,” musicians all over the world are demonstrating how music can be a powerful force for global change.
Although massive artists like Coldplay are successfully highlighting how harmful the music industry is to our environment, you don’t need to be an internationally-known act to make a positive difference. All musicians can contribute to a healthier planet. Here are 8 things you can do right now to be a more eco-friendly artist.
Understand the issues
It’s important to be informed. A great place to start is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which is an organization dedicated to providing the world with objective, scientific information regarding the risk of human-induced climate change. NASA also does a very effective job detailing the impacts, risks, and response options to the climate crisis on a global scale. Nasa’s Global Climate Change page, in particular, records Earth’s “vital signs,” allowing us to keep track of important metrics like global temperature trends and sea level change. And if you need a primer on Global Warming in general, take a look at National Geographic’s Global Warming Overview.
Alternatively, eco-friendly artists can also follow environmentally-friendly Instagram and Twitter accounts like C40 cities, which keeps everyone informed on all the actions of 94 of the world’s largest cities committed to addressing climate change. From social media to podcasts and even good ol’ fashioned books, there’s a lot of useful information out there to absorb. And if you’re into documentaries, here are 8 great global warming documentaries to bookmark. When musicians make it a habit to learn about environmental issues, fans take notice. Artists like Jack Johnson and Radiohead are fantastic spokespeople with environmental information.
You can use your platform as a musician to spread eco-friendly messages.
Make sure you have a strong baseline of environmental knowledge so that you can speak confidently about the subject. Sign up for causes like Music Declares Emergency, a collection of like-minded, eco-friendly musicians, music industry professionals, and organizations that are declaring a climate and ecological emergency. Together, they’re calling for a governmental response to protect the planet Earth and all of its living inhabitants — and they want the government to act now. Specifically, they aim to completely reverse biodiversity loss and greenhouses emissions by 2030. You can join the movement and help promote climate change awareness.
Consider Green Touring
Traditional touring is wasteful, and the numbers can be shocking: Tour buses alone contribute 150,000 tons of carbon emissions annually. A stadium performance can contribute between 500 and 1,000 tons of carbon emission. A mid-size venue annually uses 470,000 plastic cups, 200,000 napkins, and over 600 light bulbs! It’s no wonder Chris Martin from Coldplay has decided enough is enough. Green Touring is a responsible alternative, and it requires artists to evaluate all aspects of their tour.
There are a few steps you can take to get started now, and the first is properly accessing your transportation methods. Now that you know how much carbon is emitted by tour buses, think about how you can save gas with more economical options and less wasteful routes. If available, opt for a Hybrid or electric vehicle. The second aspect of Green Touring pertains to the venues where artists perform. Are you utilizing a climate-friendly venue where owners are actively trying to help the environment? Make sure to take advantage of “green clubs.” And since merchandise has become such a large part of the concert-going experience, Green Touring means taking responsibility for the products you sell. So, make sure your merch is organic and sustainable.
Green Touring means considering all the ways you can tour more sustainably.
Which also encompasses eating and sleeping habits while on tour. If you can, make sure seasonal and regional foods are available at your shows and on your tour buses, and try to source them organically. It’s also a good idea to provide vegetarian and vegan options for your crew and your fans. Remember, Green Touring doesn’t necessarily stop while you sleep. You can choose hotels that monitor and reduce their emission levels to keep you green 24/7.
Finally, the most influential aspect of Green Touring is raising awareness. As an advocate for the environment, it’s important to talk about why you choose to travel, eat, perform, and tour in a way that helps the environment, and do what you can to get other green and eco-friendly artists and the public involved. Make your next tour a green one.
Go to a Human-Powered concert
Imagine going to a concert completely powered by sweat. Pedal Power NYC puts 16 bicycles and 250 volunteers to work, as they literally pedal their way to a sustainable concert experience. While this isn’t a scalable energy source, Pedal Power NYC does a great job of bringing awareness to and finding creative solutions for climate change. Also, we love their slogan: “Powered by natural ass.”
Encourage your fans to join green initiatives
Get your fans involved on social media with initiatives like #CutOutCutlery from the non-profit Habits of Waste. As a musician, how often do you eat out or order in? Movements like #CutOutCutlery challenge food delivery services (i.e., Uber Eats) to make customers request plastic utensils, instead of automatically providing them. By supporting these types of programs, musicians can help promote the adoption of simple and powerful solutions to reduce waste.
Over 40,000,000,000 single-use plastics are thrown in the garbage and accumulate in our landfills each year. When you realize it takes 450 years for plastic bottles to decompose naturally, it only makes sense to champion these causes and encourage your fans to choose brands that use environmentally-friendly packaging.
Reuse and recycle your gear
From old guitars to broken drum kits and guitar strings, make sure you re-use, re-purpose, and recycle your instruments. When possible, try to choose biodegradable products and eco-friendly materials. And when available, take advantage of community centers that recycle everything from shattered glass to broken electronics. In the past, many musical accessories have been impossible to recycle. That’s starting to change. For guitar strings in particular, companies like D’addario offer trade-in programs, where musicians can donate their old strings and fund charitable causes at the same time.
Finally, you’re an artist — so get creative. Guitar strings can be used in jewelry, old cymbals make great lampshades, and we’ve even seen a doghouse re-purposed from an old kick drum. Let’s see what you can come up with.
Be mindful of transportation
Music has the power to take you all over the city, state, country, and if you’re lucky, the world. It’s important to be mindful of your transportation cost and gas usage on these trips. When you can, try to find climate-friendly transportation alternatives. A staggering 28% of total U.S. energy consumption comes in the form of transportation alone. Musicians can help make a difference by switching to an electric or hybrid tour buses. If you don’t have a tour bus yet, think about carpooling. You can also use public transit, or choose to walk/bike/skate when you can.
Write songs with an eco-friendly message
Music has always been a powerful tool for education, grass roots change, and kickstarting social movements. Why not use your talent and platform to spread awareness about environmental issues? Take the band, The 1975: Their single features Scandanian activist Greta Thunberg over instrumentals, raising awareness and calling people into action. Next time you get writer’s block, try penning a line or two about the environment.
Look, no one’s perfect, and you don’t have to be Coldplay to promote sustainability. All musicians have a unique platform and ability to influence many people, directly and indirectly through their actions and music. By taking steps to stay informed, promote creative solutions, and reduce, reuse, and recycle, eco-friendly artists like you can make a huge difference.
Hear Songs With an Eco-Friendly Message
