Words by Riley Fitzgerald
Graphic by Press

Given Paul McCartney‘s outspoken stance on climate change, status as the world’s richest rock star and reputation as the most famous living entertainer, it seems inevitable that sooner or later he would be called upon to address a very thorny issue facing all musicians.

And it’s this: the massive carbon footprint artists make when they go on tour.

The question was put to the 77-yeard old by a BBC’s Radio 4 reported who asked McCartney whether he had any plans to cease touring on the humanitarian ground of saving the planet as popular contemporary artists Coldplay had.

Paul, who is just about to embark on a heavy year of touring, did not.

“I am aware of [this carbon footprint],” the former Beatle shared, “and you do your best.”

“But, it is very difficult if you’re going to tour,” he continued. “I am going to go on tour in America. You can’t say… ‘we’ll go by Greyhound Bus,’ because that’s just as bad! We certainly can’t just bike our way around.”

“It’s a reality, you just have to do it, and plant a lot of trees… that’s kind of how I offset it,” he added, “by doing things that will make up for it. If I tour, that’s going to involve travel, which is going to involve a carbon footprint.”

McCartney has also sought to address climate change through several other means.

A noted philanthropist Paul donates to several climate-conscious charities and animal welfare organizations.

He has also embarked on a Meat Free Monday campaign, aimed at convincing fans to reduce their carbon footprint by cutting back on meat.

“I was staggered to learn that almost a third of all land on Earth is used for livestock production,” Paul McCartney wrote in an open letter recently published in English newspaper The Mirror, “and that it can take 30 bathtubs of water to produce just one beef burger. An area of rainforest the size of a hundred football pitches is cut down every hour to create room for grazing cattle!”

(McCartney himself has been a vegetarian since the 1980s.)

“Many of us feel helpless in the face of environmental challenges,” he continued, “and it can be hard to sort through all the advice and find what we can do to make a more sustainable world. It can be a first step for those who want to make a difference… I support a lot of causes but this campaign in particular is personal for me and my family as it’s how we live.”

“The planet is under huge pressure and the choices we make have never been more important,” he implored. “Meat Free Monday is compassionate to animals, it’s very good for your health and moreover in this context it’s damn good for the planet. The truth is there are lot of delicious plant-based options available so it’s not a difficult thing to do.”

Paul McCarney also sang about climate change on ‘Despite Repeated Warnings’ the 14th track from latest album Egypt Station.

Paul McCartney 2020 Tour Dates
05/23 – Lille, FR @ Pierre Mauroy Stadium
05/26 – Paris, FR @ Paris La Défense Arena
05/29 – Nijmegen, NL @ Goffert Park
05/31 – Bordeaux, FR @ Stadium Matmut
06/04 – Hannover, DE @ HDI Arena
06/07 – Lyon, FR @ Groupama Stadium
06/10 – Naples, IT @ Piazza Plebiscito
06/13 – Lucca, IT @ Mura Storiche
06/17 – Barcelona, ES @ Olympic Stadium
06/21- Werchter, BE @ TW Classic Festival
06/27 – Pilton, UK @ Glastonbury Festival