Leadership / 04.26.23

Music's Hope in the Face of the Climate Crisis

Access Staff

Pollstar (04/18/23) Sullivan, Lauren; Gardner, Adam

REVERB founders Lauren Sullivan and Adam Gardner write in Pollstar that the pervading sense of doom associated with climate change carries a ray of hope, because the science verifying the dire course humanity is on "is also unequivocal in showing that IF we take immediate, serious action, there is still a real opportunity to create a future that avoids the worst impacts of the climate crisis." They add that the music industry has "an outsized opportunity to become a leading, sustainable industry and drive the cultural, technical and logistical shift toward a decarbonized, sustainable and equitable future." Sullivan and Gardner say this notion is the driving force behind their nonprofit, through efforts that include helping artists tour more sustainably and creating custom comprehensive sustainability programs. "More and more artists across genres, demographics and even generations are working to reduce the environmental impacts of music and becoming vocal advocates for climate action within the music community and beyond," they note. The authors continue that fans at REVERB concerts have undertaken more than 4 million actions with nonprofits and raised over $13 million for environmental causes. They also point to their Music Climate Revolution campaign to bring the music industry together in the battle against climate change, which is ramping up as more and more venues, agencies, studios, radio stations, labels, artists and fans join. "To address music's carbon emissions head-on, REVERB's industry-supported Music Decarbonization Project is helping to fund and advance innovative climate solutions that directly eliminate carbon emissions created by the music industry," Sullivan and Gardner write. The push to address the climate crisis is gaining momentum not just through REVERB, but also through the collective actions of artists, venues, music businesses and vendors.

Read the full story from Pollstar.

Tags: Leadership , Climate Change