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Achtung! U2 aren't the eco-warriors we thought they were.
Since the global super-band first formed, they have addressed global issues ranging from poverty to social justice to climate change. However, on their current "No Line On The Horizon" tour, they have been accused of hypocrisy by environmental groups as they transport their masses of equipment around the world.
The main centre of criticism has been levelled at the tour's centrepiece - a massive 'claw' that enables fans to have an unobtrusive 360 degree view of the band. The three prongs allegedly cost $32 million each.
Environmentalists have cited that for a band that is so vocal about saving the planet, they could have easily spent that money on something more eco-friendly. Bass player The Edge though, has been quick to defend the band's extravagant set piece.
"We're spending the money on our fans, I don't think there's a better thing you could spend it on."
One environmentalist group has already claimed that the carbon footprint generated by the band's 100 tour dates generates the same amount of emissions as flying all 90,000 Wembley attendees to Dublin. Meanwhile, Carbonfootprint.com has said the tour's carbon emissions are equal to "the four band members travelling the 34.125 million miles from Earth to Mars in a passenger plane".
According to Carbonfootprint.com, the tour will also create as much waste as 6,500 average people in 1 year. To offset this, U2 would have to plant 20,118 trees simply to offset this one tour's dates, which is said to be more ambitious than the recent Madonna and Rolling Stones concerts.
The tour will include 44 different locations over 18 months requiring 70,000 air miles in a private jet. That's not to mention the three 390-ton stages that needed to be transported and the 200 members of the stage crew. The band was criticised before their Dublin concert after local residents complained about the number of trucks driving through the city's narrow lanes to Croke Park stadium. There were also complaints sent to the local county council for allow the band's crew to work through the night to construct the stage.
Talking Heads' singer David Byrne has been among the band's critics, describing the tour as "excessive"
"$40 million to build the stage and, having done the math, we estimate 200 semi trucks criss-crossing Europe for the duration."
"It could be professional envy speaking here, but it sure looks like, well, overkill, and just a wee bit out of balance given all the starving people in Africa and all," Byrne said.
However, are they been unfairly singled out? The band have already stated that they will pay carbon offsets charges and it's not like pop artists are the only industry causing pollution.
Speaking to BBC Radio 6, The Edge said, "I think anybody that's touring is going to have a carbon footprint."
"I think it's probably unfair to single out rock 'n' roll. There's many other things that are in the same category but as it happens we have a programme to offset whatever carbon footprint we have."
Could it be the planting of thousands of Joshua Trees?
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