Environment: Music lovers are more concerned about climate change than others

The music industry has not been (very) concerned about the environmental cause for a long time. The same cannot be said of music lovers. According to a new UK study, they are far more concerned about climate change than people who don’t like the cinema.

Researchers from the University of Glasgow have looked at the ecological awareness of music lovers. They asked the YouGov polling station to survey nearly 2,200 Britons about their sensitivity to the climate crisis and the role of current music in the fight to preserve the environment.

Scientists have discovered that 82% of music fans are concerned about climate change† Only 72% of those surveyed who don’t really like the fourth art say the same. If the environmental issue is an integral part of music lovers’ concerns, they are also more likely than the others to think it is a real priority. The majority of them and those (54%) agree that: “fighting climate change must now be a top priority, above all else”compared to 47% of respondents who are not music fans.

For Matt Brennan, professor at the University of Glasgow, these results illustrate: the vital role music can play in raising public awareness of the environmental crisis“Music culture has long played a key role in social movements, and this data shows that this connection is still strong today when it comes to the climate emergency”he said in a statement. “This should send a strong message to the entire music industry, record labels, concert promoters, streaming platforms, artists and others in the industry”

Awareness of the climate emergency

In recent years, many collectives have sprung up that deal with ecological issues in the world of contemporary music. Music Declares Emergency (MDE) is one of them. This group of artists, music professionals and organizations was born in England in 2019 to unite the music industry around the climate emergency and help reduce environmental impact† More than 3,000 artists have signed his statement calling on the government about the state of emergency at a climatic and environmental level, including Billie Eilish, Arcade Fire, Annie Lennox or even members of the group The 1975.

However, music lovers are well aware of these initiatives. Sixty-four percent of people surveyed by YouGov have never heard of actions the music industry is taking to reduce its environmental footprint, although they are increasing in the industry. However, music fans would be willing to change their habits to live their passion more virtuously. 40% of music lovers who took part in the survey say they are willing to spend more to buy vinyl or CDs that are more environmentally friendly, or to participate in environmentally friendly music events.

It’s next to Coldplay’s great ambition. Chris Martin and his three followers embarked on their ‘ecological’ world tour a few days ago to promote their ninth album, “Music of the Spheres”† The English group will thus give 38 concerts in eleven countries, far fewer than the 122 dates of its last tour to date, “A head full of dreams Tour”† If traveling by plane, Coldplay has pledged its “50% direct emissions compared to [sa] previous tour” and to support “projects based on reforestation”

Some may be tempted to yell at greenwashingeven if the group sees it themselves “Notwithstanding [ses] attempts”this tour will have “a significant carbon footprint”† Coldplay’s initiative has the merit of demonstrating that the music industry is taking the climate crisis increasingly seriously. However, as their band members Massive Attack said in 2019, “any action we take individually will not be effective if our industry does not act together”† Statements that music lovers seem to have taken very seriously.

(ETX Daily Up)

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