Friends of the Earth gear up for June tour with Radiohead

Thom Yorke prepares for the European leg of the Radiohead tour - with Friends of the Earth on board

After a successful previous partnership Friends of the Earth and Radiohead have reunited to spread the word of ‘The Big Ask’ campaign. The latest group effort sees the charity take to the road as they join Radiohead on the European leg of their world tour. Kicking off in Ireland on June 6, the concerts promote the campaign, which aims to increase pressure on the EU to tackle global warming head on by committing to legally binding annual cuts in climate change emissions. It also urges the public to get involved by asking their local and national politicians to take much needed action.

Sonja Meister, climate campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe, said, "Radiohead have shown that we can all do our bit to fight climate change. Now it’s time for politicians – nationally and in the European Union - to act by committing to making annual cuts to our climate change emissions. Year on year targets that can be legally enforced are the only way to make sure we get the cuts in emissions we urgently need. Through our collaboration with Radiohead, Friends of the Earth is giving people across Europe the chance to pressure their politicians to act on climate change."

The initial collaboration between Friends of the Earth and Radiohead proved a roaring success when they collectively persuaded the UK government to introduce a ground-breaking climate change law. The plan is now to spread this success throughout Europe.

In a bid to cut their carbon emissions Radiohead use energy efficient lighting, transport equipment by train or ship rather than planes and use recycled materials in their tour merchandise. The band urges their fans to follow in suit and asks they use lift shares or public transport where possible to get to and from their gigs.

Lead singer Thom Yorke said, "Everyone can do their bit to tackle climate change – we are doing what we can and encouraging our fans to do the same. It’s time our politicians play their part as they are the only ones who can put the structures in place that will help us. That’s why I am supporting The Big Ask and asking anyone who cares about climate change to support them too - either by taking action at one of our concerts or online at www.thebigask.eu.”