by Monica Schrock

Many of you may know SXSW as one of the premiere music, film and interactive festivals in the nation, bringing an array of exceptional and unique talent to the lone star state every year.  You may not know that this year’s SXSW festival will bring a new exceptionality to the streets of Austin, TX… sustainability.  SXSW 2010 is striving to reduce the carbon footprint of their music and film festival March 12th – 21st.

SXSW became a carbon neutral company in 2006 and have been reducing their footprint ever since by using less energy as well as cleaner energy and supporting companies that do the same.  The music department has been using the paperless registration process since 2003 and was able to save 12,000 pieces of paper last year, inspiring the film and interactive departments to do the same. Their other efforts include installing solar panels, using hotels with sustainable hospitality training as well as encouraging fans and professionals to use green lodging.  They also give fans visiting Austin easy access information to public transportation, walking directions, bike renting affiliates and carbon offset programs through Enterprise Rent-A-Car. To top it all off SXSW is advising all bands and professionals to green their marketing programs at the festival.  If paper is necessary, they urge that the brochures and flyers be printed on FSC certified paper, the same paper that all SXSW directories and event publications are printed on.

This year, support SXSW’s sustainability efforts by implementing some of your own on your trip to Austin. Reduce your footprint by carpooling with your friends, bringing reusable coffee mugs and water bottles, and taking advantage of the public transportation in downtown Austin.

View the SXSW 2010 Promotional Video:

by Monica Schrock

The World Music Expo, Womex, linked up with the UN Climate Change Conference (COP15) in November of this year to discuss strategies for the music industry to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in hopes of a low carbon future. Headlining as ‘Advocating for Change’, Simon Broughton, Songlines (UK) with Alison Tickell, Julie’s Bicycle (UK) and Esben Danielsen, Roskilde Festival (Denmark) led sessions called “It’s not easy being green, but its not as difficult as you think”, on how the music industry can adapt to climate changes and challenges. These sessions launched some of the first sustainable efforts at Womex responding to the climate changes of our planet. With the help of COP15, Womex got the sustainable word out over 5 days of jam packed music consisting of 49 concerts played by 300 musicians from over 40 countries. Womex also has a trade fair with 320 tents attracting and exhibiting 1425 companies, including labels, publishers, distributors, managers, producers and journalists. The first whispers of a green future at Womex could be a huge step in climate change awareness for the world of music.

by Planetwize

Power Up The Planet, a new compilation CD by cause-based music company Planetwize, is a dynamic, funky mix of 14 global fusion tracks from top international artists, including Thievery Corporation, Brazilian Girls, Zap Mama, B-Side Players, Balkan Beat Box, Ozomatli and more. From reggae and Latin to electronic and Afrobeat, every song on Power Up The Planet taps into the theme of energy, empowerment, and hope.

With tracks in English and Spanish, the funky benefit project is about spreading power—enough to run a radio or mobile phone or to have a little light. To this end, every download or physical CD sold helps SolarAid fight climate change and poverty, by training people in poor communities to harness the power of the sun. With successful projects in Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Kenya, SolarAid brings solar lanterns, mobile phone and battery chargers to rural and remote communities throughout Africa, replacing dangerous and expensive kerosene lanterns with clean, renewable power.

To learn about the Power Up The Planet initiative and music compilation view the video posted by Planetwise: