TO LAUNCH CLIMATE LIVE CONCERTS IN 20 COUNTRIES
#CanYouHearUsYet?
FREE CONCERTS WORLDWIDE
Millions have seen the footage of Greta Thunberg Rick Rolling: but why did she do it? It was to launch Climate Live, a global series of concerts that ask world leaders attending COP26 in ten days time “Can You Hear Us Yet?”. On October 23rd, 20 countries in six continents will be hosting this series of global Climate Live concerts to raise awareness of the climate emergency and, in particular, the challenges faced today by people on the frontlines of ecological breakdown: how their lives are right now being torn apart by its effects.
As Greta Thunberg said on the Climate Live stage in Stockholm: “It is now up to us. Those in power show time and time again that they are not ready to do it for us. We have a long way to go. But we must never give up, because we have no choice but to continue fighting for a future.”
Led by members of Fridays for Future youth climate groups, who organise the school strikes, Climate Live will be bringing people from across the globe together through music to unite in the fight for climate justice and the race to safeguard the future of the planet. As Greta Thunberg, 18, says, “To change everything, we need everyone.” A key aim is to engage, educate and empower a new demographic into the Youth Climate Movement.
Artists, activists, and scientists will be taking to stages around the world for non-profit, free climate concerts in India, Kenya, Finland, Uganda, Estonia, Turkey, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Japan, Philippines, Germany, Nigeria, DRC, UK, Colombia, Brazil, Mexico and more.
Climate Live Founder Frances Fox, 20, from the UK said, “The whole point of Climate Live is to hand over the microphone to youth in those countries most affected by climate change today so they can tell the world how their lives are impacted. It all began in Spring 2019 and it has been incredible to watch as so many inspirational youth across the world have come together to make these events happen: who would have thought we would pull this off? It is so important at a time when, in the lead up to COP26, so many political world leaders have announced headline-grabbing climate targets which may lull the public and local, regional, and national politicians into the false belief that their governments are now acting and all will be well: when these targets are not backed up by necessary policies and action programmes in time to save the planet. As Greta says it is up to us to be the adults in the room.”
“If one performance of ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ can draw this much media attention to our cause, we are off to an epic start. So CanYouHearUsYet? Will you stand with us and demand more from your elected officials?”
“Before the pandemic hit, 7.6 million took to the streets to demand climate action in September 2019, yet it was clearly not enough as leaders still fail to act with the necessary urgency. We believe music has the power to reach a large majority who still aren’t engaging in the crisis”, says Tafadzwa Chando, Zimbabwe and an International Coordinator for the event.
On Saturday, October 23rd Climate Live youth representatives will host shows in 20 countries, asking the question: ‘Can You Hear Us Yet?’, empowering people through music to make their voices heard and put pressure on world leaders to take urgent action to combat the climate crisis.
Around the world, artists will be joining forces in one, harmonious voice to call on governments and corporations to act now.
The call to action will be for audiences to sign the Global Climate Live Petition which will be handed to the world leaders at COP26 in Glasgow during a youth strike which all are encouraged to join. Audiences attending Climate Live will come away with a feeling of empowerment and the knowledge and tools to engage in the youth climate movement at such a key time for climate action. We have exactly ten days until the UN COP26 climate conference, when, six years on, governments will have to renew their Paris Agreement pledges. Climate LIve calls for these to be more ambitious.
Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC who played a key role in the 2015 Paris Agreement, stated “I applaud our brilliant young people for stepping up again to hold leaders to account in the lead up to COP26 in 2021 when countries must come together to show we are on track for a resilient future. Our young people have asked whether we can hear them. It is time to demonstrate that we are truly listening.”
Climate Live is an opportunity for young people across the world to have their voices heard.
Mitzi Jonelle Tan, 23, from the Philippines (Convener of Youth Advocates For Climate Action Philippines) says “we have just experienced four typhoons in the span of a month. I had to sit in the dark without electricity, not able to go home because the roads to our house were flooded up to the second floor of houses. This is the climate crisis, this is why we need action. We are the second most vulnerable country to the impacts of the climate crisis in the world. It’s a scary thing and we desperately need more people out on the streets if we want to see change. Climate Live is the perfect way to do that.”
“Climate Live is much more than just music. The climate crisis isn’t just an issue for the distant future, it is happening for us today and we are experiencing the impacts right now. We need to act now.” Kevin Mtai, 24, Kenya, Founder of Kenya Environmental Activists Network.
Full details of Climate Live’s international programme can be found at www.climatelive.org.
Climate Live will broadcast from their YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/ClimateLive.
Following the recent publication of the IPCC’s landmark report on the impending climate crisis, Climate Live aims to rally people around the world through the power of music and reach those who aren’t currently engaged in the crisis. As November’s key climate summit, COP26, draws closer, the simultaneous concerts on Saturday 16 and 23 October will echo around the world and let world leaders know that more must be done to protect the planet and those who are experiencing the devastating effects of the crisis every day.
Further details about the international line-up will be announced soon.
#CLIMATELIVE2021
@climatelive2021 | climatelive.org
ABOUT CLIMATE LIVE
Climate Live is made up of youth climate strikers from across the world, led by members of Fridays For Future youth climate groups who organise the school strikes. On October 16th and 23rd 2021 there will be a series of youth-led global climate concerts in over 20 countries, with artists, activists, and scientists taking to the global stage to fight for climate justice. Climate Live is an opportunity for young people across the world to engage in the climate movement and make their voices heard.
For more information on Climate Live, whose partners include Greenpeace, Music Declares Emergency, ClientEarth, and many more, visit https://www.climatelive.org/
CLIMATE LIVE AIMS
ENGAGE: Enlarge the global movement by engaging with a new audience through music.
EDUCATE: Raise awareness of the challenges faced today by people on the front line of ecological breakdown, and the predictions by scientists for the future.
EMPOWER: Pressure world leaders (political, economic and cultural) to take action to combat the climate crisis, with a focus on COP26.
Press contact:
Hyally Carvalho – International Press Coordinator
+5584994146153