By Kathryn Hawkins
Gimundo Correspondent

The rock band Guster’s tour bus looks just like your run-of-the-mill gas guzzler. But you might be surprised to learn that it runs on biodiesel, an environmentally friendly alternative to gasoline, made from used vegetable oil.

And that’s not all Guster’s doing to keep the world green — they use wind-powered energy at their concerts, drink water from a reusable jug instead of using plastic bottles, and promote local environmental groups in each city they play. Many other musicians, including Barenaked Ladies, Jack Johnson, and Dave Matthews Band, have taken similar measures on recent tours.

Portland, Maine-based couple Adam Gardner and Lauren Sullivan and their nonprofit organization, Reverb, are responsible for this incredible showing of environmental activism in the music world. Gardner sings and plays guitar for Guster, and Sullivan holds a master’s degree in environmental education. The couple founded Reverb in 2004 because “we wanted to combine our two worlds:  hers being environmental, and mine being the music community,” said Garner.

Reverb works to help bands promote environmental consciousness and to reduce their tours’ negative effects on the environment. In the last few years, Reverb has assisted with “greening” more than 25 major tours. At each show, Reverb’s staff also engages directly with the fans to promote environmental activism and responsibility.

Reverb works to “help people understand that they’re all consumers, and they all have an impact on the environment,” said Sullivan. “At our shows, they can enjoy the music and raise their awareness while they’re at it.”

For more information, visit: www.reverbrock.org