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Impact

HOW MUSIC CAN HELP ACCELERATE A CULTURAL SHIFT

CONTEXT

2019 Townsville Flood

THE CLIMATE CRISIS IS INTENSIFYING

The 2021 IPCC Report confirmed climate change is widespread, rapid and intensifying.

It’s increasing the frequency and intensity of hot extremes, marine heatwaves, heavy precipitation, droughts and intense tropical cyclones. It is reducing Arctic sea ice, snow cover and permafrost and its consequences are dramatic and irreversible. 

In the 2021 UN Sustainable Development Report, Australia was ranked dead last for Climate Action (out of 193 countries) for failing to tackle the fossil fuel emissions associated with our imports and exports and not having a carbon price.

The last election helped to end Australia’s divisive ‘Climate Culture Wars’, but WE STILL NEED TO MOVE MILLIONS FROM APATHY TO ACTION.

To make a real change, we need to touch people on a personal level, capture their hearts and make climate top of mind.

 

ISSUE

NOT ENOUGH CONTEMPORARY MUSIC CELEBRATEs NATURE AND INSPIRES US TO PROTECT It

We need a new songs and new stories that reflect the unprecedented times in which we live.
Artists can create a new narrative, help us to dream big and have the power to influence vast audiences in a way that is deeply personal.

Music builds identity, community and connection and is a constant through history and across cultures.
Every great social movement has used memorable songs to spread messages, share knowledge, unite people and galvanise support, but the climate movement doesn’t many instantly recognisable songs. 
Listen to: ‘Where’s Our Climate Anthem?’

We need more mainstream music to touch us and remind us that we need to protect our incredible planet.

Whilst some incredible songs do exist, they are not receiving the attention and recognition they deserve and are not being widely used to inspire change or bring the movement together.

Triple J’s Hottest 100 is a hugely popular annual music poll that reflects Australian popular culture.
Over the last 5 years, Only 1% of songs in the Hottest 100 directly referenced environmental issues.
That contrasts sharply to the fact that music 75% of Australians are concerned about climate change.

 

OPPORTUNITY

Spinifex Gum

INCENTIVISING ARTISTS TO CREATE MEANINGFUL MUSIC THAT INSPIRES ACTION

Incentive prizes encourage us to dream big and harness the collective genius of many.

 This new $20,000 prize will reward those already doing incredible work and encourage others to consider creating masterpieces.

 
In 2019 Massive Attack commissioned the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research to report on the live music industry and make recommendations for decarbonisation

EMPOWERING MUSICIANS TO BECOME POWERFUL ADVOCATES FOR CHANGE

Popular artists are persuasive communicators with storytelling built into their DNA, and they have extraordinary reach.

By helping them to speak out about the climate crisis, we will engage millions of music lovers from across the political spectrum and make climate action cool.

OUTCOMES OF THE INAUGURal 2022 PRIZE

 

COLLABORATION FOR IMPACT AND SCALE

The ENVIRONMENTAL MUSIC PRIZE has been specifically designed for PARTNERSHIP and COLLABORATION. 

Green Music Australia is a great charity that was already working with a core group of engaged musicians and music industry organisations.
They are our key impact and charity partner (tax-deductible donations are made to them to fund the prize).

This strong partnership ensures we:

  • avoid replication and duplication
  • have reach, scale, impact and speed-to-market
  •  

The Prize also amplifies Green Music in its mission since it: 

  • attracts new artists who then become involved in their sustainability campaigns. 
  • creates a new proof point as to the validity of its mission