An environmental group plans to grow a forest in honor of the late Clash singer-songwriter Joe Strummer’s efforts to counter global warming.
Future Forests, a group Strummer helped found in the 1990s, asked fans to donate to help create the living memorial on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.
“Joe said, ‘Bands must be contributing to global warming by their buses, equipment trucks and the diesel used to power the stages,'” the spokesman said on condition of anonymity. “‘Can you imagine how much carbon dioxide the pressing and the distribution of a CD creates? What shall we do about it?'”
That query helped prompt the establishment of Future Forests, and Strummer decided to plant trees to offset the carbon dioxide created by his work.
Many scientists believe that the burning of fossil fuels is causing an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide, triggering what is called the greenhouse effect. A higher concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere traps more of the sun’s heat, possibly causing temperatures to rise.
The spokesman said the forest would eventually be a home to hundreds of wildlife species, including otters, red deer and foxes.
Strummer died in December at age 50.
