The Green Factor

Throughout my time on the road, I've been exposed to a wide range of lifestyles and communities, from Colorado, the Southwest and the Midwest. It seems that there is something sweeping this country and businesses are taking note. If you've watched t.v. lately, you've probably seen a car commercial. Some cars tout luxury, others claim to be the most rugged. One subject that is never absent from a car commercial is the all important "mpg" or how it may be "the most fuel efficient in its class." Subaru has a "zero landfill plant status," which means nothing from their factory goes to a landfill, and they don't let you forget it. Shoes are beginning to be manufactured with renewable resources and non-toxic, non-petrol based materials. Cleaning products, organic foods, organic clothing, wind energy, and the very current issue of off-shore drilling all tie into "the green factor."

I think the appearance of the hybrid car in concert with rising gas prices was the beginning of the thrust of "green lifestyle" into the public eye. Obviously there are other factors, but when your wallet starts getting hit and you can do something about it that has more far reaching benefits than your bank account, that seems like a win win situation to me. So, I think we're in an ironically beautiful spot right now. Our planet is starting to show real signs of wear and tear from constant abuse since the industrial revolution. Yet, recent technological advancements show potential to help us ween ourselves from this abusive relationship.

With that said, I must say I feel like a hypocrite. All of this time I'm traveling around in a seriously less-than-fuel-efficient vehicle loaded with 5 guys pulling a heavy trailer full of equipment. But here's the rub, we either stop touring and abandon our dreams or continue doing what we're doing while contributing to the environmental and economic issues of our time. Needless to say, if we had the option of touring in an eco-friendly vehicle, we would, in a heartbeat. We would like to acquire a diesel vehicle, and convert it to run on vegetable oil. Unfortunately at the moment, we are recovering from having to replace the transmission on our beloved gas guzzler.

National and international touring acts have been quick to adopt enviornmentally sound methods of touring. Radiohead, for example, has consolidated their stage and equipment to fit on just 5 semi trucks, plus buses for personell. In comparison, a tour like Kanye West's travels with 17 semis plus buses for personell. Radiohead has taken it a step further and had enormous batteries designed that are capable of running an entire show from load in-performance-load out on one charge. Their system allows them to do this at one show, then use gas powered generators at the next show while recharging the batteries with the venue's power supply. In any rate, they have cut their consumption during shows in half. Acts like Dave Mathews Band and Willy Nelson have also made efforts to stay green by touring in low emissions vehicles or offsetting their carbon emmissions with credits. Here are a couple interesting links on that: Sustainable Touring , Comments on Radiohead's Eco-Touring

And most importantly, Radiohead's blog further detailing what I mentioned above.

I sincerely hope that in the near future Frogs Gone Fishin' is able to adopt even a small bit of what bands like Radiohead are doing. I believe we are in a pivotal time in the existance of life on Earth and must work everyday to reduce our 'footprint' on the planet. If you're interested in doing something different today help change your world, this link might give you some ideas.

Until next time...