‘Capitalism didn’t understand community’: Brian Eno steps up the climate crisis battle

The musician and activist, who has collaborated with Michael Stipe on a new song for Earth Day, is asking questions of the music industry, and the likes of Coldplay are happy to answer

Given that it's an industry addicted to air travel, whose artists put on energy-intensive live shows and release albums on vinyl, the music business is rightly being scrutinised for its green credentials. But as Brian Eno argues, an increasing number of musicians and workers are also trying to improve sustainability and public understanding. Lots of people are becoming aware that we can't just talk about the problem - we have to do something about it in our own practice," he says.

On Earth Day this year - 22 April - the producer, artist and activist plans to light up the internet with previously unheard music to direct attention and funds towards the climate crisis. Approximately 100 artists will release material exclusively via Bandcamp - with the platform dropping its usual 15% cut to 10% - and the proceeds being distributed among causes at the forefront of the emergency.