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Around the world: The impact of live music, e-waste and gaming on climate change

Music is on our minds this month. A brand-new speaker is challenging the idea that technology is disposable and live music’s impact on climate change is in the spotlight, while a number of new games are also exploring the climate crisis.

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A new speaker takes on the e-waste dilemma

An increasing number of businesses are taking the responsibility to help the planet seriously by introducing circular practices. Bang & Olufsen is the latest and its Beosound Level speaker scraps the idea that technology is ultimately disposable.

The Danish audio brand’s portable Wi-Fi speaker officially earned Cradle to Cradle Certified Bronze status this month—the certification requires meeting exacting standards in the areas of sustainable design, product circularity and planet-friendly manufacturing processes. It is the first-ever Cradle to Cradle Certified consumer electronics product. It’s also one of the first products to meet the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute’s new, more ambitious Version 4.0 standard, which debuted in March. It takes into account the product’s environmental risk and a higher standard of the company’s overall sustainable practices.

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Words by Tim Nelson

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Massive Attack calls to cut carbon emissions

Scientists at the University of Manchester have created a roadmap to help the music industry reduce its carbon emissions to stop climate change, based on tour data supplied by the band Massive Attack.

Recommendations include artists and bands swapping private jets for trains, venues generating more of their own renewable energy and free public transport being included in ticket prices.

The findings are being shared across the industry and, it’s hoped, will inspire millions of fans to live more sustainably, too.

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Words by Laura Foster

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Climate change is a hot new theme in gaming

The climate crisis is finding its way into more games.

As games can encourage empathy by allowing people to experience different situations impacted by climate change and make climate change relevant for players, could games help shift people’s perspectives?

According to Joey J. Lee, a lecturer of technology and design at Columbia University’s Teachers College, and director of the school’s Games Research Lab, games are crucial for encouraging understanding in a way that’s very different from textbooks. The format of a game can break down people’s guards, reaching someone who might otherwise get defensive in the face of political or emotional topics.

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Words by Kristin Toussaint