The South by Southwest Music Festival is happening right now in Austin, Texas.
Not surprisingly, the music industry, like others, is finding ways to address climate change. At this year’s festival the concert organizers are purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from the City of Austin to offset the carbon emissions it generated from last year’s event. According to the concert’s press release, “Austin Energy will retire 448 solar RECs on behalf of South by Southwest and use the proceeds from the sale to begin implementation of a local renewable energy project.”
Austin Energy plans to expand its services by investing in solar powered charging stations where people could charge everything from small electronics such as cell phones and MP3 players, to electric bikes and scooters.
Other musicians have also embraced solar. Jack Johnson has received great press coverage for recording his new album, Sleep through the Static, using power generated from his studio’s grid-tied solar photovoltaic system.
Let’s hope other musicians and artists continue down the long – green – and winding road.
