Scottish Radiohead gig launches Big Ask Scotland climate change campaign

26 June 2008
Topics: Climate

Radiohead will today back the launch of Friends of the Earth Scotland's campaign for a strong Scottish Climate Bill at Holyrood, to make Scotland a world leader in tackling climate change.

The band has been supporting Friends of the Earth's Big Ask campaign across Europe, calling for governments to introduce tough legislation to combat climate change. The Glasgow gig marks the launch of the Scottish campaign, which will mobilise people across Scotland to lobby their MSPs and push for an effective law. Friends of the Earth campaigners have been a big presence around Europe at Radiohead's carbon-conscious tour [1].

Last year, the band commissioned eco-consultants to calculate the environmental impact of their tours. Since then the band has made a huge effort to cut their tour emissions by using energy efficient lighting, transporting equipment by train or ship rather than plane, and using recycled materials in tour merchandise. They also found that the largest impact was from fans travelling to gigs, so have held their gigs in central venues with good public transport links and encouraged fans not to drive.

The launch of the Big Ask Scotland will be marked by the presence of FoE Scotland campaigners at the gig, collecting signed postcards from fans urging Alex Salmond to ensure we get a world-leading Climate Bill at Holyrood [2]. Well over 10,000 of the postcards have been signed at dates on the tour all over Europe.

Thom Yorke said:

“We’re doing what we can to tackle climate change and encourage our fans to do the same. It’s time our politicians play their part as they are the only ones who can put the structures in place that will help us. That’s why I am supporting The Big Ask Scotland and asking anyone who cares about climate change to support it too - either by taking action at one of our concerts or online at www.bigaskscotland.org.uk”

Duncan McLaren, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:

"Radiohead have shown that we can all work to combat climate change, both in our own lives and by insisting decision makers take action. Through our collaboration with Radiohead, Friends of the Earth Scotland and the Big Ask Scotland campaign is giving people the means to let politicians hear their calls for action on climate change."

ENDS

NOTES

[1] The Big Ask across Europe: Friends of the Earth groups across Ireland, France, Italy, Scotland, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Belgium and Demark will be partnering with Radiohead during the European leg of their world tour to encourage support for The Big Ask across Europe.

[2] The Big Ask Scotland Campaign is calling for a world leading Climate Bill at Holyrood. The bill will begin making it's way through Parliament very soon, and is expected to become law next year. Friends of the Earth Scotland will be pressuring MSPs to ensure it includes our three Big Asks:

1. The Bill must include all climate changing emissions, including those from international flights and shipping, and other climate changing gases, such as methane.

2. There must be a scientifically-based limit placed on total emissions between now and 2050.

3. A Climate Super Fund, which will fine public bodies that fail to reduce emissions and rewards bodies that reduce emissions.

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