Over the past weekend, the Dave Matthews Band and The Allman Brothers played an outdoor concert in Atlanta's Piedmont Park.  The two bands partnered with Friends of Piedmont Park, an organization that serves as stewards to the park, to host a "green concert" in which ticket proceeds would be used for park expansion and general maintenence of the park.  To the best of my knowledge, over 60,000 tickets were sold and midway through the concert, it was announced that $1 million dollars had been raised.  Truly a great accomplishment and a tremendous boost in funding for Friends of Piedmont Park; which like most nonprofits, doesn't see a million dollars very often.  Many organizations will never receive what most athletes and celebrities recieve as an annual salary (But, that's another story).
 
    The point of this entry is not the amount of money that was raised, it is the simple fact one step was made by the Dave Matthews Band and The Allman Brothers efforts to raise awareness of a "green culture."  As fans entered the concert, it was difficult not to notice what seemed to be an endless line of extremely large RV's.  The sort of RV's that unmistakingly provide us with images of band tours and happenings in which we probably have all imagined ourselves.  However, the sheer number of RV's suggested that perhaps each band member had their own personal RV.  Which as you may imagine, strikes me and the average "green concert goer" as a bit extravagant and not exactly fuel efficient.  I'll admit, my immediate reaction was to condemn the bands as hypocrites, merely using the "green bit" for marketing purposes and good PR; which apparently was a view shared by other fans.  However, throughout the show and once the amount of money raised by the concert was announced, I thought differently.
 
     The vibrantly green decision by the bands to perform under the agreement to donate proceeds to Piedmont Park should not be undermined by a contradictory decision (the RV's) which is not even a shade of green.  The concert overall was a step in the right direction and a tremendous help to the conservation of the city of Atlanta's largest green space.  The bands and the concert should remain as an indicator of a culture that at the very least is taking necessary steps, however small, in the right direction.  Unfortunately, it seems quite common to condemn those who publicly take actions to move towards a green conscience merely because every aspect of of their lives is not in accordance with green standards.  Let's be real, it is very difficult to be 100% environmentally conscience in a society that has seemingly just begun to view the environment as an issue for government, businesses, and consumers alike. 
 
    As we move towards an environmentally consicence culture, it is imperative not to condemn a lack of perfection, but to embrace advancements in an overall mentality; even if they do come with faults.  Perfection does not present itself very often.  
 
   The same is true with Alternative Energies.  For years, alternative technologies have been viewed as inferior to petroleum, too expensive, and unreliable.  These are merley faults that can, will, and are being addressed by researchers all over the country.  Petroleum itself also comes with an external price outside of the simple cost per barrel.  Nothing is perfect. 
 
So, as we are introduced to new technologies in the very near future, we should make efforts to embrace the positive aspects with the negatives.  Perhaps even give the positives a bit more respect than the negatives.  If we truly are going to shift to a "green society," we cannot wait for perfect solutions.  Like the sometimes inadequate period of adolescence, we must continue to grow while learning from mistakes and the many imperfections that present themselves.
 
So thank you Dave Matthews Band and The Allman Brothers for helping us all take steps in the right direction.  And please think about carpooling to your next green event!