The sound of sustainability: Why many concerts and festivals aren't as 'green' as they claim
Across Europe, 30–80% of tents are abandoned after festivals. In Ireland, we face similar issues
Every summer, Ireland’s fields erupt with music, dancing, and fashion choices that only make sense in a muddy field at 2am. From the electric energy of Electric Picnic to the laid-back buzz of All Together Now, festivals are the heartbeat of the Irish summer.
Globally, music festivals attract millions, but alongside the unforgettable moments, they leave a hefty environmental footprint. Waste, diesel generators, long-haul artist flights, and car-clogged access routes all contribute to a high-carbon affair.
![<p> The International Union for the Conservation of Nature says that “an ecosystem is collapsed when it is virtually certain that its defining biotic [living] or abiotic [non-living] features are lost from all occurrences, and the characteristic native biota are no longer sustained”.</p> <p> The International Union for the Conservation of Nature says that “an ecosystem is collapsed when it is virtually certain that its defining biotic [living] or abiotic [non-living] features are lost from all occurrences, and the characteristic native biota are no longer sustained”.</p>](/cms_media/module_img/9930/4965053_12_augmentedSearch_iStock-1405109268.jpg)