…that they’re just rock stars. Famous for the ability to carry a tune or play an instrument. They understand that this God-given talent doesn’t translate into a significant knowledge of complex environmental issues.

A round of applause to Arctic Monkeys’ drummer, Matt Helder, for recognizing the obvious:

Rock group Arctic Monkeys have become the latest music industry stars to question whether the performers taking part in Live Earth on Saturday are suitable climate change activists.

“It’s a bit patronising for us 21 year olds to try to start to change the world,” said Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders, explaining why the group is not on the bill at any of Al Gore’s charity concerts.
[…]
Large parts of the band’s hometown of Sheffield were flooded at the end of last month after a deluge of mid-summer rain that some blamed on global warming. Two people were killed.

But the band wonder why anyone would be interested in the opinion of rock stars on a complex scientific issue like climate change.

“Someone asked us to give a quote about what was happening in Sheffield and it’s like ‘who cares what we think about what’s happening’?” added Helders.

“There’s more important people who can have an opinion. Why does it make us have an opinion because we’re in a band?”

Not only does he understand that, but he highlights the hypocrisy of the concert itself:

“Especially when we’re using enough power for 10 houses just for (stage) lighting. It’d be a bit hypocritical,” he told AFP in an interview before a concert in Paris.

And what about the resources being consumed by this gigantic, one-day party?

Fans are being encouraged to share cars or use public transport to attend, all lightbulbs will be energy-efficient and the food will be sourced locally where possible.

“Where we can’t use biodegradable materials, there’ll be comprehensive recycling programmes,” said Robb, who says the Live Earth gigs will set new green standards for the events industry.

Even the organizers of a “green” concert acknowledge it’s not always feasible or possible to “be green”. C’mon guys, it’s always possible, isn’t it? Even if you have to sell all your worldly possessions and work for free for the next 50 years, sure you can come up with a few extra billion dollars to source the food locally or insure 100% biodegradability for this venture. Think of the planet… think of the poor grandchildren with sad, puppy dog eyes… (UPDATE: Doug Heye has more on the event’s “footprint”)

But never fear, organizers of Al Gore’s concert will “offset” all of their glutonous consumption needs…

After the shows, the organisers, with the help of accountancy group PricewaterhouseCoopers and an army of consultants, will calculate the volume of carbon emissions created and will then “offset” the difference.

That should make Al Gore happy.