A new survey recently released by the Music Declares Emergency pressure group revealed that music fans care more about the climate crisis than non-music fans. While 72 percent of people who classed music as “not important” in their lives expressed concern about global warming, that figure jumped to 82 percent amongst those who considered music to be vital.
And it turns out, fans aren’t the only ones concerned about climate changes. Major artists are speaking up through their music and tours to spread the message that we need to do more for our planet. Here are eight artists who are finding creative ways to use their platform for the world’s greater good:
Billie Eilish
The Gen Z artist has never been afraid to speak out about topics she’s passionate about, and that definitely includes climate change. The Grammy award-winning singer recently announced she will be spearheading a major, multi-day climate change event in London’s O2 arena this summer.
And it’s not just her actions that put climate change in the spotlight. Eilish sings about the effects of global warming in her songs, like her song “All the Good Girls Go to Hell,” which she confirmed is in fact about climate change.
Lorde
Lorde fans were put through the wringer when they waited four years for their favorite melancholy musician’s next album, only for it to be all about climate change.
The New Zealand artist spent some time exploring Antartica in between albums, learning about the fight for climate change and doing what she could to spread the message, which included creating a 100-page book about her experience. To be fair, Lorde clarified “I’m not a climate activist, I’m a pop star… There is a lot I don’t know.” But one listen to “Solar Power” or “Fallen Fruit” and you’ll be looking for the next climate change protest to attend.
Justin Bieber
The Canadian pop singer has spent the last few years trying to do as much good as possible with his time on earth. For his current tour, Bieber even teamed up with dozens of nonprofits to spread awareness about mental health, poverty, racism and, you guessed it, environmental change. Fans are incentivized to volunteer and/or partner with these organizations in order to help make the world a better place, and have a chance at meeting Biebz. It’s definitely one way to leverage your star power.
Joni Mitchell
One of the original climate change rockstars, Joni Mitchell’s music is all about taking care of the Earth. Whether with a man who had done her wrong or a corporation who took paradise and put up a parking lot, Mitchell proved that the pen could be just as mighty as a sword. Her most famous song about the environment, “Big Yellow Taxi” sings about humanity’s role in climate change, particularly with regards to deforestation. “They took all the trees, and put em in a tree museum / And they charged the people a dollar and a half to see them” rings as true to today as it did when she released it.
Coldplay
Coldplay has been around for a long time, and they understand how tours and, by extension, their fans, contribute to global carbon emissions. That’s why for their most recent tour, the band has announced they will emit 50 percent less than their previous one.
According to the New Statesmen, Coldplay concerts will have a dance floor in the center that generates electricity when fans jump or dance on it, powering the venue. They shows will also rely on solar energy, recycled cooking oils from local restaurants and other renewable sources. Additionally, the band has created an app to “help fans plan low-carbon travel to their shows, offering a merchandise discount code for those who choose green journeys.” It goes to show that a little creative thinking can go a long way.
