For eminently understandable reasons, plenty of people around the world are concerned about climate change. But if you’re looking for a sign that someone’s concern about what might be the existential threat of our age goes above and beyond even that, there’s a simple way to find out: ask them if they consider themselves to be a music fan.
That’s the primary takeaway from a recent study from the University of Glasgow, titled “Turn Up the Volume” and subtitled “Music Fan Attitudes towards Climate Change and Music Sustainability.” According to a report from Far Out, the study has one foot apiece in the academic world and music industry — Music Declares Emergency, the British Phonographic Industry, Secretly Group and Beggars Group were all involved as well.
According to the study’s executive summary, the study was conducted via “a nationally representative YouGov UK panel survey.” As for how the methodology determined how someone was considered to be a music fan, that was based on questions about the importance of music in their daily lives and personal routines.
As Far Out‘s report on the survey notes, music fans cared more about climate change than non-music fans, and did so to a greater degree. The study’s results also suggested that music fans are more likely to embrace a more sustainable music industry — whether through the form of more sustainable events or by physical music made via environmentally-friendly methods.
It’s an interesting set of data, and it would be worthwhile to see if similar results came about regarding music fans in other countries. Hopefully, this study won’t be the last of its kind.
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