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The Morning Show - With Jill Riley

Coffee Break: environmentally friendly artists -

Coffee Break: environmentally friendly artists

A view of the Americas from the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) satellite.
A view of the Americas from the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) satellite. NASA | NOAA's DSCOVR mission

by Jill Riley and Luke Taylor

May 18, 2022

Members of the band Coldplay recently told NPR Music about how they plan to make touring more environmentally friendly in a number of ways, including cutting down on flying as well as using a kinetic flooring and stationary bikes as ways the audience can help generate electricity to power concerts. 

Coldplay aren’t the only artists to look for ways to improve the environmental impact of concerts and touring. Local band Cloud Cult have long been advocates of green approaches to the music business, as have artists like Bonnie Raitt and Neil Young. Meanwhile, Billie Eilish pledged to eliminate an estimated 35,000 single-use water bottles from her tour, and she only serves vegetarian food backstage. The band Massive Attack travel by train, and Olivia Rodrigo’s merchandise is sustainably dyed and made from 100% organic cotton. Harry Styles' recent tour had battery recycling centers, and it donated unused hotel toiletries to shelters.

So let’s celebrate these and other artists doing their part to help the planet. For today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs by environmentally conscious artists do you want to hear? And when naming your artist and song, tell us a bit about what that artist is doing to help the environment.


Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs played:
Jack Johnson - The 3 R's
The B-52s - Channel Z
Olivia Rodrigo - Brutal
Cloud Cult - There's So Much Energy In Us
Willie Nelson - On The Road Again
Massive Attack - Karmacoma
The Roots - The Seed 2.0 feat. Cody ChesnuTT (bonus track!)