Brussels, 6 May 2008 -
Friends of the Earth will be joining Radiohead on the European leg of their
world tour which kicks off in Ireland this June. Radiohead invited the
environmental organisation to join the tour as part of a programme of action
aimed at tackling climate change.
Friends of the Earth groups in Ireland, France, Italy, England, Scotland, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Belgium and Demark will be asking concert goers to take action in support of The Big Ask.
The Europe wide campaign calls on governments and the European Union to help
tackle climate change by committing to legally binding annual cuts in climate
change emissions [1]. People can find out more and take action at www.thebigask.eu
Thom Yorke, the band's front man, helped
launch the European Big Ask at a packed press conference in Brussels on 27
February 2008. The launch was also marked with events in many of the 17
countries across Europe taking part in the campaign [2]. The musician has
supported The Big Ask campaign in the UK where Friends of the Earth has
successfully persuaded the government to introduce a ground-breaking climate
change law [3]. Thom Yorke and Radiohead are now bringing the campaign to the
rest of Europe.
Last year, Radiohead commissioned carbon
footprint analysts Best Foot Forward to calculate the carbon impact of their
tours. Since then Radiohead 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.
The band is also encouraging fans to car share
or use public transport to get to gigs. They are mainly playing in city centre
venues where transport links are better and are working with venues to offer
incentives to fans who leave their cars at home. More information is available
at www.radiohead.com
Thom Yorke said: "Everyone can do
their bit to tackle climate change - we are doing what we can and encouraging
our fans to do the same. Its 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 and asking anyone who cares about climate change to
support them too - either by taking action at one of our concerts or online at www.thebigask.eu."
Sonja
Meister, climate campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe said: "Radiohead have
shown that we can all do our bit to fight climate change. Now it's time for politicians
- nationally and in the European Union - to act by committing to making annual
cuts to our climate change emissions. Year on year targets that can be legally
enforced are the only way to make sure we get the cuts in emissions we urgently
need. Through our collaboration with Radiohead, Friends of the Earth is giving
people across Europe the chance to pressure their politicians to act on climate
change."
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For more information, please contact:
Sonja Meister, Climate Campaigner at Friends
of the Earth Europe:
+ 49 176 64608515 (German mobile)
sonja.meister@foeeurope.org
Francesca Gater, Communications Officer for
Friends of the Earth Europe:
Tel: +32 2542 6105 and +32 485 930515 (Belgian mobile)
francesca.gater@foeeurope.org
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