10 ways festivals are tackling social and environmental issues

Not to be confused with Shambhala, the Canadian festival put on by an entirely different entity, the UK’s Shambala festival made a bold stand in 2016 by going 100 per cent vegetarian and removing all meat and fish products from their on-site food offerings – for both staff and the public. While there’s still much debate over what meat does to our bodies, the harmful effects of meat production on our ecosystems are much more decisive and well documented by global authorities such as the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization.

In a post-event analysis, 77 per cent of Shambala attendees surveyed indicated they wanted to keep the event vegetarian and about a third of respondents reported actually reducing their intake of meat and fish since (excluding the 30 per cent who responded that they were already vegan or vegetarian.) This year they plan to keep it meat and fish free, however they haven’t ruled out possibly introducing some “uber-sustainable meat and fish options around the site in surprising and thought-provoking ways".

Paris, France’s We Love Green festival mentors emerging leaders interested in green design. Their Laboratoire D’expérimentations Scenographiques hosts a two-week residency for applicants chosen from a prestigious jury of design community members. Chosen graduate students and designers use recycled materials in their projects, which are financed and supported by dedicated production teams and stage designers. Though they receive mentorship and assistance, the young artists still maintain autonomy and ownership of their projects and enjoy the broad network of professionals and increased exposure gained as a resident of We Love Green’s Laboratoire D’experimentations Scenographiques. While the name may lead you to think the festival is solely “Green”-focused, the event attracts a first-rate set of electronic music talent such as this year’s acts, Nicolas Jaar, Moderat, DJ Koze, Motor City Drum Ensemble and more.