Amplifying the voices of artists who inspire action for climate and conservation.
We Are At a Crucial MomEnt in history.
One that requires us to change our behaviour rapidly and move billions of people from apathy to action.
Inspiring millions to defend the fragile ecosystems that sustain all life on earth.
One that empowered the people demanding climate justice so we preserve nature for our children.
CONCEPT VIDEO
'STONEY CREEK' BY XAVIER RUDD WAS THE PUBLICLY-VOTED WINNER OF THE 2023 ENVIRONMENTAL MUSIC PRIZE.
He generously donated his $20,000 prize to four grassroots organisations:
– Environs Kimberley
– Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue
– The Forever Reef Project
– Save Sunshine Glossies
The 2022 Winners, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, also donated their $20,000 Prize to The Wilderness Society.
DISCOVER THE 2023 FINALISTS
22 songs were selected by Environmental Leaders, Music Ambassadors and Impact Partners for their ability to connect us to nature, make us reflect and inspire us to take action for climate and conservation.
They reflect a rich diversity of musical styles, moods and attitudes, as well as Australia’s vibrant multicultural society.
Read about the songs and the artists’ motivations on their Artist pages.
You can also discover the 2022 Finalists in menu above.
Back On Country
To bring all of us together around the one fire and one responsibility that is to care and respect the land we walk on
Backburner
An emotional response after Australia bore witness to the worst bushfires we have ever seen
Being Human
A rally to Australians to give land back to the True Owners
End Of The World
Exploring the power of humans to create change and friendship in the face of climate collapse
Gentle
The soundtrack to your climate change anxiety; an ode to mother earth and a gentle reminder to look after her
Golden Chains
A fiery, bond-esque climate action anthem fuelled by heart and hope
Mararradj
An intimate glimpse into remote Stone Country Arnhem Lands Culture Heritage and Rock Art
Milkumana
About the power of passing on knowledge – “to show, share and pass on knowledge through stories and song”.
Rising Seas
A nightmare vision of a hypothetical future, not in a parallel universe but our backyard
Singing Up Country
Country and culture transcend time and place and should be respected
Smoke And Mirrors
A song lamenting toxic overconsumption of fast fashion to the detriment of our environment and future
Stoney Creek
Stripping back the noise and chaos of society, nature remains as the one true source of existence
The Godwit And Curlew
An ode to to the magic and mystery of migratory shorebirds
Together
Inspired by people’s willingness to come together in the face of environmental and social challenges
Willow Tree
Grappling with inner turmoil and the struggle to find inner peace and self-acceptance
Vote Now
How do I vote?
- Watch the music videos.
- Choose 3 that resonate for you.
- Submit your vote.
- Share your favourites to inspire others.
BUILD A Playlist THAT INSPIRES ACTION
Learn more about the ENVIRONMENTAL MUSIC prize
Christiana Figueres, the Former U.N. Climate Chief who headed the Paris Climate Agreement and now Chairs The Earthshot Prize, introduced the ENVIRONMENTAL MUSIC PRIZE to her global audience on Earth Day 2022.
She invited climate-conscious citizens around the world to watch the music videos, vote for those that resonated and share to activate others.
There was strong media interest and our local Environmental and Impact Partners further amplified ensuring that 50,000 people from 58 countries came to this site to engage with these meaningful songs.
Going forward, every Earth Day, we’ll share the songs selected by Environmental Leaders to:
- Reflect their hopes, fears and ambitions.
- Focus media attention on engaged artists, powerful songs and environmental issues.
- Drive high audience engagement through deep connection and compelling content
- Highlight the work of scientists, community groups and frontline organisations
- Accelerate the cultural shift required for bold ambition and action during this crucial decade
CLIMATE SCIENTISTS INVITES ARTISTS TO USE THEIR VOICE
MISSON & VISION
ENVIRONMENTAL MUSIC PRIZE
“We need messages of hope – ones that touch us deeply, capture our imagination and enable us to dream big. By focusing the creative genius of many songwriters, singers, musicians and content creators on environmental issues, and by partnering with aligned organisations and community groups, we hope to propel a few climate anthems into the mainstream and empower a diverse group of artists to activate their audiences..”
– Edwina Floch, Founder of The Environmental Music Prize
Impact Partner
Green Music Australia
“Many artists have written about their love of nature or used their platforms to support a worthy cause. Individual actions are great, but there is strength and strategy in coming together.
The Environmental Music Prize will bolster our work greening the music industry by attracting new artists and empowering them to use their cultural influence to speak up and sing out on climate.
We are witnessing a wave of environmentalism. This exciting initiative will add more songs to the soundtrack and provide opportunities for artists to speak with a coordinated voice for maximum impact.”
– Berish Blander, CEO of Green Music Australia
Impact Partner
OUTRAGE + OPTIMISM
“Forging solutions to the accelerating climate and environmental crises requires us to put everything on the table – from simple to complex, from individual to systemic, from technological to imaginative.
Let’s not forget that art, music and poetry are some of the most effective forms of protest: they change our minds, move our hearts and spur us into action. Action now is all of our responsibility, so it is with great excitement that Outrage & Optimism is partnering with the Environmental Music Prize.”
– Christiana Figueres DBE, Former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Paris Climate Agreement), Co-Founder of Global Optimism, Chair of The Earthshot Prize, Author of ‘The Future We Choose : Surviving the Climate Crisis’
MUSIC AMBASSADOR
HEIDI LENFFER
“I’m getting behind the Environmental Music Prize because I know !irst-hand that songs can be weapons for personal change, and if this prize can encourage even one more artist to call out injustice and write fearlessly about the change they want to see in the world, at this critical turning point in history, then it deserves all the support we can muster.
John Lennon said that sometimes political messages need a bit of honey to connect.
When I was building FEAT. as a way for artists to join the clean energy revolution, Anohni’s song ‘4 Degrees’ was a song that connected the climate science dots in a way that graphs had failed to do. She sang about wanting to see the world boil. It’s a brutal message but it became my soundtrack and an emotional fuel source I would tap into when I needed a boost of grit and determination.”
– Heidi Lenffer, Singer / Songwriter of Cloud Control, Founder of FEAT (Future Energy Artists) solar investment fund and sustainability surcharge ‘Solar Slice’.
Recipient of the 2019 Triple J ‘You Done Good’ Award and ‘SMAC of the YEAR’.
MUSIC AMBASSADOR
MONTAIGNE
“Concerned about climate change and the way we’re destroying irreplaceable ecosystems, I’ve been on a massive personal journey: getting informed, changing my lifestyle, going to protests, speaking out and supporting great organisations and people along the way.
In 2019 I brought that into my music and wrote ‘READY’ as a call-to-arms. It features incredible school climate strikers who are literally fighting for their future.
I’m proud to be a Music Ambassador for The Environmental Music Prize as it’s the opportunity to reach out to my peers and for us to bring people together. We can use our voices in a powerful way that reminds others of the beauty of the world and that also helps the scientists and environmental organisations who deserve more attention..”
– Award-winning Singer / Songwriter of climate anthem ‘READY’, Australia’s 2021 Eurovision entry
MUSIC AMBASSADOR
ANNA LUNOE
“Music has the power to open minds and inspire change as it echoes through our bodies and over this amazing planet.
The Environmental Music Prize will encourage storytellers to delve into this topic more fully. Sometimes we need reminders to stretch into new spaces.
I truly believe that creativity that inspires change is the most essential art there is, and the most important art to make. I hope my fellow creative community consider it a calling.”
– Anna Lunoe, DJ, Producer, Vocalist, Podcast Host of ‘danceXL’ and ‘Create Destroy’
Impact Partner
Greenpeace
“We have all the science and solutions we need, and a vast majority of the Australian people want action on the climate emergency.
What matters now is putting the pressure on the politicians and the business leaders to act and we cannot underestimate the power of great songs to do just that.
Since the very first concert for Greenpeace in 1970, music has been a huge part of who we are, so we are thrilled to see the launch of The Environmental Music Prize and delighted that more talented artists will be lending their voice and influence to shift Australia towards a better future.”
– David Ritter, CEO of Greenpeace Australia