Greenfields
Green Futures
Dave Matty is spending the weekend at Glastonbury without seeing any major bands and hanging out at the 'other' side of Glastonbury. He's reporting here about his adventures.
The Green Fields are busier this year than they've been for a long time. One of the reasons is interest in the environment. Climate change, re-cycling, solar-energy, sustainable development, carbon footprints. Everyone wants to know what it's all about and the place to come is the Green Futures field.
I remember camping in Green Futures in the early nineties and selling video-activist videos. There was a 'buzz' about, everyone was interested in the roads protests and the environment. But when the mainstream media moved on to other issues, people began to lose interest. Recently though, people seem interested in green issues once more.
I chatted to several visitors who had ventured into the Green Fields for the first time, to meet some of the campaign groups hoping to win hearts and minds and convert people to their cause. "Its all about the environment", said one. "I want to know what my carbon footprint is", said another. All had heard about climate change on the news and wanted to learn more.
The stall-owners were delighted. I met a guy selling solar panels and sustainable energy turbines. "I can't believe how interested people are this year. And they're actually buying solar panels this time rather than just asking about them. Marvellous."
And more people seem to be committing themselves to radical change, this year. Those leaving the field said they were going to take away what they'd learnt and put it into practice rather than going back to work on Monday and soon forgetting about it all.
I've heard a rumour on the grapevine that anti-capitalists will be burning money in the green fields at some point this weekend. It reminds me of when the KLF allegedly burnt £1 million many years ago as a statement of 'art'. There was a natural furore. Could the money have been put to better use? Probably. I wonder what excuse the activists will have if this rumour turns out to be true.
I mentioned in my setting up piece there was also talk of a secret CCTV system spying on everyone. Like all good conspiracy theories, this one came from the TiPi field. But I have found one camera, at the entrance to the green fields. Perhaps Big Brother is interested in green issues too?