Today Coldplay released a new single called Every Teardrop is a Waterfall [1] (which truth be told, we can't wait to download). But when the bandmembers have time off from writing and releasing amazing songs, they dedicate themselves to making the world’s agricultural and trade practices more just. Front man Chris Martin is actively involved in Oxfam [2]'s fair trade campaign Make Trade Fair, which hopes to eliminate unfair wages and promotes labor rights.

In the early 2000s, Coldplay collected over 30,000 signatures on an Oxfam petition for fair trade, later helping to present the petition, then signed by almost 4 million, at a World Trade Organization summit. Martin also makes sure to promote fair-trade at every public appearance he makes, writing “Make Trade Fair” or an equal sign on the back of his left hand and branding his piano with “MTF”.

Coldplay is also dedicated to other causes, pledging since their formation to donate 10% of their earnings to charities, actively supporting Amnesty International [3], and consistently performing at charity benefit concerts.