Exeter academic to advise authors of Coldplay report on live music and climate change
Leading University of Exeter climate scientist Professor Richard Betts MBE has joined the advisory committee for a major new study on how the live music industry can reduce its impact on the climate, supported by Coldplay.
The Assessment Report of Live Music and Climate Change in the US and the UK is led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Environmental Solutions Initiative (MIT ESI), and is also supported by Warner Music Group, Live Nation, and Hope Solutions.
Coldplay, whose lead singer Chris Martin grew up in Exeter, have a reputation for promoting environmental awareness and climate action.
The announcement coincided with Coldplay’s headline slot at the Glastonbury Festival, where Professor Betts had earlier taken to the stage to discuss climate change at the Speakers Forum.
Professor Betts is also well known as an enthusiastic fan of live music, and is a familiar face at Exeter’s famous local venue The Cavern where Coldplay performed on 14th June 2000 shortly before releasing their first album ‘Parachutes’.
Professor Betts said: “The live music industry is uniquely placed to set a high-profile example of what can be done to reduce emissions and tackle climate change. This report will establish how bands and their audiences can go about this, and as both a climate scientist and music-lover I’m excited to be part of it.”
The report is expected to be released in the autumn.
