Recycling, composting, and avoiding single-use plastics are daily activities that many individuals in the Western world practice. Some go a step further with drought-tolerant gardens, urban farms, becoming vegan, cruelty-free products, and curtailing fast fashion. Musical artists like to think fighting climate change, going green, environmental consciousness, and eco-friendliness are part of their existence as a default. Many donate to environmental causes—making sure to signal their actions when they do. Others occasionally perform at environmental-focused benefits and fundraiserssuddenly and temporarily becoming very vocal on the issue on their social media channels. But how much of what musicians actually do as artists have environmental awareness and eco-proactivity built into it?
Other than in-person appearances, limited quantity physical products and merchandise—which have their own horrific carbon footprint—a musician’s presence and product exist mainly online. This virtual space, be it websites, social media platforms, streaming services, or email lists, feels weightless and ethereal. The “cloud” implies fluffiness and vapor, nothing tangible. Yet all of these carry a hefty digital footprint.
The environmental organization Climate Care has an infographic on its site that
