The life of a touring musician doesn't exactly lend itself to a small carbon footprint, and journalists and climate deniers alike have called out artists concerned with the ongoing climate crisis about how their lifestyle contributes to it. Now, Thom Yorke, David Byrne, Brian Eno and more have addressed these claims.
In the open letter published by climate activists Extinction Rebellion, the artists write, "We live high carbon lives and the industries that we are part of have huge carbon footprints. Like you — and everyone else — we are stuck in this fossil-fuel economy and without systemic change, our lifestyles will keep on causing climate and ecological harm."
The letter continues: "Climate change is happening faster and more furiously than was predicted; millions of people are suffering, leaving their homes and arriving on our borders as refugees. Alongside these people who are already paying the price for our fossil fuelled economy, there are millions of children — called to action by Greta Thunberg — who are begging us, the people with power and influence, to stand up and fight for their already devastated future."
The signees — which also include Spice Girl Mel B, Massive Attack's Robert Del Naja, Disclosure, Natalie Imbruglia, Jarvis Cocker, Bob Geldof, Laura Crane, Sienna Miller and many more — conclude by writing, "We cannot ignore their call. Even if by answering them we put ourselves in your firing line. The stories that you write calling us climate hypocrites will not silence us."
"We invite all people with platforms and profiles to join us and move beyond fear, to use your voices fearlessly to amplify the real story," the letter reads. "Thousands of ordinary people are risking their freedom by taking part in non-violent civil disobedience. We've been inspired by their courage to speak out and join them. We beg you to do the same."
Recently, R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe donated proceeds from solo single "Your Capricious Soul" to Extinction Rebellion, while Radiohead also donated proceeds from an official release of their leaked OK Computer sessions.
In the open letter published by climate activists Extinction Rebellion, the artists write, "We live high carbon lives and the industries that we are part of have huge carbon footprints. Like you — and everyone else — we are stuck in this fossil-fuel economy and without systemic change, our lifestyles will keep on causing climate and ecological harm."
The letter continues: "Climate change is happening faster and more furiously than was predicted; millions of people are suffering, leaving their homes and arriving on our borders as refugees. Alongside these people who are already paying the price for our fossil fuelled economy, there are millions of children — called to action by Greta Thunberg — who are begging us, the people with power and influence, to stand up and fight for their already devastated future."
The signees — which also include Spice Girl Mel B, Massive Attack's Robert Del Naja, Disclosure, Natalie Imbruglia, Jarvis Cocker, Bob Geldof, Laura Crane, Sienna Miller and many more — conclude by writing, "We cannot ignore their call. Even if by answering them we put ourselves in your firing line. The stories that you write calling us climate hypocrites will not silence us."
"We invite all people with platforms and profiles to join us and move beyond fear, to use your voices fearlessly to amplify the real story," the letter reads. "Thousands of ordinary people are risking their freedom by taking part in non-violent civil disobedience. We've been inspired by their courage to speak out and join them. We beg you to do the same."
Recently, R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe donated proceeds from solo single "Your Capricious Soul" to Extinction Rebellion, while Radiohead also donated proceeds from an official release of their leaked OK Computer sessions.
