More artists need to follow in Jack Johnson's footsteps. His tour this year is offsetting ALL of its carbon emissions. At his concerts, recycling bins are set up everywhere, and preferential parking is given to people who carpool. In addition, he has a Village Green set up, which is like an Eco-Plaza. Nonprofit organizations can set up in the Green to advocate their individual causes, from ditching water bottles to cleaning up beaches, etc. As incentive for people to actually do this, he offers free music downloads as compensation for taking time to check out the Village Green and be environmentally conscious. More artists need to follow his lead.
You guys can actually get a free music download by joining

AllAtOnce.Org

Check out the site, see what you can do.

This is amazing! Thank you so much for bringing Jack Johnson's website, with all of its environmental themes, to our attention. I wonder what made him decide to do this and how other artists could potentially be encouraged to follow his lead.

I was interested to see what else is going on in the "green music" world, so I decided to investigate it a little bit. I discovered this listing of "Green Music Festivals" that might interest you:

http://www.obviously.ca/artsandculture/popculture/green
_music_festivals

When I go to a farmer's market, I'm disappointed if there is no compost bin, because I've come to expect one. But when I go to concerts, that expectation for the event to be eco-friendly doesn't exist in the same way. I think the key is to build eco-friendly cornerstones in people's environments, at concerts and elsewhere, such that they will come to expect them and ask for them.

I think it's awesome when celebrities and musicians talk about green issues and set examples by purchasing RECs or using biodiesel buses, etc.

Thanks so much for posting those websites.

I was wondering if either of you had heard about Radiohead's greening efforts.
Here is one article: http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/chasing-r
ainbows-radiohead-urge-their-fans-to-go-green-for-dubli
n-gigs-1368140.html

I am sure there are other articles as well. I thought that this was interesting, because when Radiohead thought about carbon footprints, it became pretty apparent that, while they maybe could offset their personal carbon usage by purchasing RECs or what have you, there were many people would would be traveling by car or even plane to go see a Radiohead concert. The carbon footprint of all of the fans going to the concert is likely to be significant.

I wonder if there are ways to address this problem. Maybe offering special prices to fans that bike to a venue?

I just thought that was interesting. I think what you suggested Greeniac 121212 about changing expectations by making green something that is normal is right on.

It is clear that the fans' methods of travel to Radiohead's concerts contribute most to carbon emissions. This is really too bad, because it means the band itself does not have as much control over the majority of carbon that is emitted through people's efforts to see them perform. However, this fact is also very enlightening, because it clues people into the fact that transportation is one of the most significant uses of fossil fuels, if not the most significant.

Radiohead is doing the best it can by providing travel ideas on its website and encouraging fans to use an online carbon calculator. I think this is a good first step that bands can use to promote responsible travel. A discount to bikers, carpoolers, and users of public transportation would be a good next step. If Radiohead doesn't want to lose money by offering this discount, it could slightly raise prices for those who do not receive the discount, increasing the incentive for people to travel responsibly.

If you'd like to read about more green-focused musicians, I'd highly recommend this article on "15 Green Musicians and Bands."

http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2007/06/22/musicians
/

Who ever thought a hip hop band would be giving away autographed composting bins? Well, they did it! This article is pretty extraordinary.

Those sites are actually quite interesting, it's great that celebrities with a big following are using their power and influence for positive change. It's something we need to see more of in this world.

It came as a surprise to me that Radiohead were so green-friendly. I'm not really sure why; I guess because they have never come across as an outspoken political band like say, Coldplay. I really like how they're still spreading the message in their own, subtle way.

I just saw Radiohead a couple weeks ago at the Outside Lands Music Festival in San Francisco. They were the first band to ever play in the dark at Golden Gate Park.

The festival itself was one of the greenest productions ever put on. It is actually pretty interesting to check out everything they did to green the event: http://www.sfoutsidelands.com/