Festivalgoers don’t support Rothbury’s good intentions

Hippies, druggies and adventure seekers converged on the tiny town of Rothbury, Mich., over the Fourth of July weekend for what’s billed as a sustainable music festival.

Organizers strive for this goal by using all compostable materials, providing recycling stations and using some renewable energy sources.

But do the people who flock from across the country to see Bob Dylan and The Dead share these same values?

Some do, and it's obvious by their homemade clothes and efficient vehicles, but the vast majority seem to be missing the green mark.

Even with volunteers at most waste stations telling people what’s recyclable and what’s compostable, the trash cans headed for landfills quickly filled up with recyclable paper products and cups that say "please compost" right on the side.

The organizers also brought in speakers to cover topics like clean energy, green jobs and voting for environmental changes. Even with renowned speakers flying to Rothbury to address these topics, the panel discussions were less than well attended. While thousands flocked to The Dead’s stage, only around 100 came to hear six experts discuss sustainable cities.

To be fair, many at Rothbury talk the talk – even going out of their way to volunteer at the recycling center and pick up trash on the grounds. But others were just plain hypocritical. They’ll wear an organic cotton shirt, but then will smoke cigarette after cigarette. Don’t they know how many of their nonbiodegradable filters will end up in the dump? Around 4.5 trillion. Or how many trees are cut down to provide fuel to dry tobacco leaves? Around 600 million.

If the good people of Rothbury truly want their musical culture to lead the revolution into a greener tomorrow, they’ll have to give up the smokes and the glow sticks and pick up the phone to start a relationship with their elected officials.

If they’d listened to Saturday’s forum, they’d already know the green movement isn’t likely to succeed until lawmakers are able to force change through new laws. Otherwise, our world will continue to have pockets with green parties rather than a full-fledged green movement. Just like Rothbury.