Planned Ahead of UN Climate Conference

A series of concerts are taking place internationally on 27–28 November, the weekend before UN climate talks start in Mexico, to call for a zero-carbon world’. By organising entertainment that emits minimal amounts of carbon, the aim is to show UN negotiators and the public that a more sustainable society is not only achievable but also enjoyable.

The events are confirmed for locations including London, Melbourne, Amsterdam, Sierra Leone, Brighton and Norwich, and will be linked through online broadcasting.

Behind the project is Chris Keene, instigator of the Zero Carbon Caravan ñ a group of cyclists who made their way by bike and sail from Wales to last year’s UN climate conference in Copenhagen. Chris is working with Australian Kim Nguyen, who cycled from Australia to Copenhagen and is organising cycle convoys to the concerts this year.

‘Carbon emissions will be kept to an absolute minimum,’ said Chris, ‘although in today’s society it won’t be possible to reach zero because of the infrastructure currently in place, particularly regarding use of the internet for broadcasting the concerts.’

The inspiration for the concerts, said Chris, was Zero Carbon Britain, a report by the Centre for Alternative Technology showing how Britain can reach zero carbon emissions in as little as 20 years.

Each event is being organised locally. ‘It’s ordinary people doing the right thing at the grassroots, to show the politicians the way,’ Chris said.

www​.zerocarbonconcert​.org