“ACL Fest 2009: How To Rock Out and Stay Green Part II”

Muse and their crazy, high powered lights at ACL '06

Can you guess what the biggest emitter of carbon output at a music fest like ACL is? Nope, it’s not speakers. Nope, it’s not Muse’s over-the-top light show from ACL 2006. It’s US driving to ACL. So, if you can help it, and I know you can, please don’t drive.

We all LOVE the folks at ACL for good times and for their green efforts. They work hard as it is, but there’s always room for improvement. After the commuting costs, the powering of stages has the second greatest impact.  The bottom line is that solar energy and other renewable resources are very reliable, and ACL should try to make that switch.

Neal Turley of Sustainable Waves explains that when it comes to powering festivals sustainably, you must change your outlook from “how can we put on the best show?” to “how can we put on the best show while being mindful of our environment?” According to Neal, even powering the small Austin Kiddie Limits stage with solar energy would save 1000 lbs of carbon emissions/day. This year Sustainable Waves powered the AKL stage with diesel generators, but just think about the potential carbon savings if next year was solar powered. Sustainable Waves has the technology, we just have to ask ACL to use it.

So listen up folks. Here’s what I need you do this weekend:

1. Ride the bus and ride your bike. Do both! We are. Plus, who wants to deal with the ACL traffic, anyway? Check out the schedules for the Metro and the Shuttles provided by ACL.

If we catch you doing this, we'll squirt you with green paint. Just kidding! But SRSLY: This is ACL! Yo mama ain't here to clean up.

2. Recycle and Compost! There will be plenty of opportunities to do both at the festival. So be on the look out for them.

3. Buy a “BeGreen Fan Tag” to offset your carbon outputs. If you didn’t do it before the festival, stop by the Green Mountain Kiosk to do so.

4. Most importantly, stop by your Info Centers and fill out ACL’s survey on how to make the festival better. (Do it, they’ll give you free stuff). BE SURE TO TELL THEM TO SWITCH TO SOLAR POWERED STAGES!

COMMENT: How will you be green today?