music
The Uprising of Low Carbon Concerts
“For example, your typical ‘businessman’ travelling for international business meetings is already condemned, so it may not be long before the focus shifts to musicians travelling excessively too.”
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When it comes to tackling climate change, it may feel that one small decision you make in a day couldn’t possibly save the world. It may also feel like one night at your favourite band’s tour won’t do any harm either. Unfortunately, whether you turn up ready to dance in your best second-hand outfit or even attempt to smuggle a reusable plastic bottle past security guards, you are still contributing to the climate emergency. Standing in the crowded floor sections for a concert or event can be one of the best feelings in the world. Being so close to your favourite artist and making so many dreams come true in one night can lead to lifelong memories being made. The atmosphere that consumes you whilst in a huge arena or stadium can be overwhelming and wonderful. However, it can also be overwhelming trying to find your way back to the exit at the end of the night through a sea of plastic cups, food wrappers, and discarded, beer-soaked, merchandise that has now had its use. Is the touring industry ready to tackle these mounting issues? Can we hold artists accountable for the impact that their tour has on the environment, especially when touring is one of the only ways to survive the music industry in its current climate? The answers to both of these questions are still uncertain, and with complications created by the Coronavirus pandemic, we can only assume that an artist’s main focus in 2020/21 will be maintaining their appearance in the charts. However, the impact of touring is not a conversation we can postpone for much longer, especially as one recurring theme in the climate conversation is how excessive travelling around the world releases unnecessary harmful emissions. For example, your typical ‘businessman’ travelling for international business meetings is already condemned, so it may not be long before the focus shifts to musicians travelling excessively too.