Forbes India – Climate Change is a Chart-topping Issue for Music Fans, Research Findings

Billie Eilish is among the 3,000 artists that signed the MDE declaration, alerting public authorities to the urgent need to address the climate crisis and ecological emergency. Image: Ben Houdijk / Shutterstock

FFor a long period of time, the music industry may not have felt too concerned about the environmental issue. Music lovers, however, are not as concerned. A new British study has shown that music lovers care more about climate change issues than those who don’t enjoy this art form.  Researchers at the University of Glasgow studied the ecological awareness of music fans. They surveyed nearly 2,200 British citizens through market research firm YouGov about their attitudes to the climate crisis and the role of the music industry in protecting the environment.

Scientists found that 82% music fans are concerned about climate changes. Only 72% of nonmusic fans agree. Climate change is a major issue for music fans. However, they are more likely than others that they consider it a top concern. 54% of respondents agreed that “tackling climate change should now be a top concern above all other issues” compared to 47% who weren’t music lovers.

These results, according to Matt Brennan, a professor at the University of Glasgow illustrate the importance of music in raising awareness about the environment crisis. “Music culture has a long history playing a crucial role in social movements, and evidence shows that this link is still strong today when it comes to climate emergency,” the expert said in an interview. “This should send a strong message across the music industries—to record labels, concert promoters, streaming platforms, artists, and other sectors.”

Sensitization about the climate emergency

Many groups have emerged in recent years to address environmental issues in contemporary music. Music Declares Emergency (MDE), is one of these groups. This group of musicians, music professionals, and organizations was founded in England in 2019 with the goal of rallying the music sector around the climate emergency and helping to reduce its environmental impact. More than 3,000 artists—including Billie Eilish, Arcade Fire, Annie Lennox and The 1975—have signed the organization’s declaration alerting public authorities to the state of emergency in terms of the climate and ecology.

YouGov found that 64% of music listeners have never heard of efforts to reduce the music industry’s environmental impact. This is despite the fact that there are more efforts in this area. Music lovers would be willing change their ways to listen to music responsibly. A majority of music fans surveyed stated that they would spend more money on environmentally-friendly vinyl and CDs or to attend green music events.

This is Coldplay’s great ambition. Chris Martin and his bandmates launched their “green tour” around the globe a few days back to promote their ninth album “Music of the Spheres.” The British band will play 38 shows across 11 countries, which is significantly less than the 122 dates it played in its previous “A Head Full of Dreams Tour.” The band will be traveling by plane. ColdplayHas pledged to cut its “direct emission by 50%” in comparison to [its]”Previous tour” and to help “projects based upon reforestation,”

This might sound strange to some. GreenwashingEven though the band acknowledges that this tour will still leave a significant carbon footprint, it is not surprising. Coldplay’s initiative shows that the music industry is more serious about climate change. Massive Attack, Coldplay’s fellow band, stated in 2019 that “any actions we take alone will prove to be ineffective unless the whole sector, our industry, moves together.” Music fans seem to have heard this warning.

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