korhan hasim isik/istockphoto
READ MORE ABOUT:
For a lot of people, summer means festival-going. Giant outdoor celebrations decorate landscapes across the globe during the warm months and unless there's a great green team working alongside that festival, the environmental impact of gatherings this large each year is detrimental. Festivals have been learning how to green up their acts in recent years and after having spent two summers in a row on Warped Tour myself, I can testify that Warped Tour is helping to pave the path for greener festivals. My friend and eco-icon, Sumner Komro who runs the Warped Tour Nonprofit Area, took some time to answer some questions for Planet Green about Warped Tour's green initiatives. The festival kicks off in Pomona, California June 26th and travels across the United States and Canada until August 23rd.
Warped Tour is traditionally a punk/rock festival. Do you find that the rock 'n' roll lifestyle clashes with the green movement or are they working together at Warped?
Summer Komro: You mean like "a rolling stone gathers no moss?" :) Well, there is some truth to that. I'd be lying if I said that Rock N' Roll is the "Greenest" scene. Part of the reason we get into this life style is because we throw caution to the wind, disregard risk, and maybe get a little reckless. Sometimes we just sort of cross our fingers that we aren't starting too many uncontrollable fires.
Still, I think the old idea of "living fast and dying young" is a little antiquated. It doesn't hold with the new Rock N' Roll crowd. I think we want to live fast... forever. Basically, we want to find ways to continue doing what we do better. For our part, Warped Tour has always set industry standards, and we want to continue that trend on the Sustainability front. We are taking the initiative with solar staging, recycling programs, reforestation projects, offset programs for our fans, and bio-degradable materials for our catering.
That said, we are willing to listen, think, and try. We won't stop playing music loud, going big, and taking chances. What we will do, is try to do all of that without completely destroying ourselves or the world in the process.
Warped Tour tends to appeal to a much younger audience than Bonnaroo. In my experience with Warped Tour, however, I've witnessed an excitement about the environment from teenagers that I don't see in many adults. Would you agree or disagree?
Absolutely agree. I work managing the Nonprofit interests of the tour at large, and I find that young people are excited to find these opportunities. Young folks want to make meaningful change. They are starving for ways to use all the energy they have. They aren't aren't jaded or tired. If they are jaded it's because no one has offered them a chance to do something important. As soon as you give them ideas, they take it over.
What new ideas is the Eco-team bringing to Warped this year?
Well, Greenpeace is coming out for starters. They're bringing "rolling sunlight," which is a huge solar array that will take up about 300 square feet. It will power mist fans, tvs, computer displays, and maybe even a small PA. We are basically replacing the generators used by the tour, at least for the nonprofit area. We are also continuing the recycling program which last year did 40,000+ lbs of recycling. This year we hope to do more. Our catering uses all corn-ware, which biodegrades quickly unlike Styrofoam. Again we are using bio20 for all our fuel needs. It's the lowest grade of bio-fuel, but we use it across the board. We are also discussing a reforestation project involving the bands, but we still have to work out the logistics.
How can attendees get involved?
CARPOOL! Number one thing is carpool. After they get here, they can stop by the Warped Eco Initiative tent and find out more. We have all sorts of info and opportunities. They can help us recycle on site for a chance to meet artists backstage. They can link up with a local organization, or just join our mailing list. We want to help inspire people year round. We have ideas for them to step up in their own communities. Become an activist!
How can musicians get involved?
Every year musicians step up to help. Some stop by the tent and run meet and greets. Some volunteer on days off to help with an ocean clean up or replant trees in a park. Artists can always include messaging at their merch booths and on stage. Still, the most important thing any of us can do is take it home. The artists can start a recycling program on their bus. They can sign up with us to receive biofuel for their bus. They can use organic and sustainably produced fibers for their t-shirts. We partner with artists all the time. It's easy to get involved, all you have to do is care.
More on green music:
10 Ways Bonnaroo Is Going Green, Show Some Love!
8 Green Music Festivals That Rock
Green Your Music Festival Experience At Eco-Chic Bumbershoot
Outside Lands: Green Music Festival Rocks The City By The Bay
How To Go Green: Like Celebrities
Got a tip or a post idea for us to write about on Planet Green? Email pgtips (at) treehugger (dot) com.
