Climate Songs
Exploring and Communicating Through Song
Songs about climate change? Yes! They’re out there, and, with the help of our Facebook members, friends, and more, we’ve compiled a list and broken it into three sets for expressing and sharing our emotions and fear – and hope – regarding climate change:
Climate songs – either new lyrics to old songs, or new songs. Share with friends. Includes homemade songs at the end.
Environment-in-general songs. (dot 3 on the right)
And finally, Christmas Climate Carols! (dot 4 on the right)
Sing at the top of your lungs, with friends, and spread the news.
Climate Songs
One Small Change
One of the best Climate Songs ever. Adorable Irish children rapping about the climate.
World in Danger
Another one by a kid that has been going viral right now is by eight-year old Frankie Morland, UK, who wrote and sings his own song (with help by video experts) in his fight against climate change: World in Danger. He has had the support of David Attenborough in spreading this song to the top song list.
Dear Future Generations: Sorry
Prince Ea. The below is one of our favorite songs/poems. Incredibly powerful – and this was written in 2015, before the massive increase in Amazon burning and clearing.
Retrograde
Pearl Jam’s famous Retrograde, with the video telling a lot of the story as well, with a guest appearance by Greta Thunberg.
Our Planet Music Video
A song designed for inspiration! Share the wonder of the extraordinary place we call home. From exotic jungles to the deepest seas, open your eyes to the connections we all share. Narrated by Sir David Attenborough.
Dido’s Lament
Annie Lennox and London City Voices perform a choral version of ‘Dido’s Lament’ taken from the 10th Anniversary Edition of ‘A Christmas Cornucopia’. Shared by contributor Dr. Cat Russell of Climate Action Maps.
What I’ve Done
This one is about helping make the world a better place instead of being selfish and destructive. Passed on by CS Facebook Member Lee!
Beds Are Burning
Although not written for this, the Midnight Oil’s song: Beds are Burning is very, very suitable, as our FB group member Hannah pointed out.
Sinkin’ Soon
Sinkin’ Soon by Norah Jones. One of those songs you just revel in – until you think about the potential topic. In this case, however, she focused on geopolitical changes in America, and how we’d be sunk. Unfortunately, that is tied directly to climate change.
Edges of Extinction
One of our FB members did this great country rock song with his band.
SOS
Here’s another FB Climate Steps’ member’s contribution to fighting climate change with music.
We Don’t Have Time, by Sustainable Soundtracks
featuring Adam Baptiste (a collaborator of Climate Steps)
Blue Light of Flame
by Dar Williams
It’s wonderful to have musicians focused on climate change.
Despite Repeated Warnings Paul McCartney’s Despite Repeated Warnings is not this writer’s favorite, but we are so glad he wrote it.
A soulful “Tree Song,” by Sundown47, sung by Steve Drymalski, previously of Men Among Thieves. Shared by his production company Dog and Pony Industries, spring of 2026.
A great rap song, recommended by Larry and Mark. Harsh, and the video can make you cry. It is about why can’t we look through our children’s eyes? But then “There’s still hope…It’s on my shoulders….A small change in my living can be a part of the comeback in the 9th inning.”
All the Good Girls Go to Hell
Billie Eilish
Intense. We put a warning label on this one for young kids. But fascinating.
Extinction Rebellion (We’re in this Together), Pretty Trippy
A New Zealand band wrote this song for climate activists.
Shattered Garden
Contributed here and written by John Stea (physician and musician), sung by Maggie Richardson.
The acoustic version is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O1QMHbNSxk
Earth Song
By Michael Jackson, Remastered. Thanks, Melodie, for suggesting this. Such a heartfelt song, and besides humans, focuses on the animals and plants that depend on us.
Dive In, Dave Matthews Band
Directly focused on climate change and its impact. An amazing song that makes one sway, but, like Dave Matthews, one hopes that we do wake up. Recommended by Rhonny.
Oceans (Where Feet May Fail), by Hillsong United.
A faith-based group performs this, with millions of views, and the song was recommended by one of our members as providing inspiration. But, although the song mentions oceans rising, it does not talk about us taking action, but instead that believers can find comfort. Not the best song for a climate action site (based, btw, on science), but this song is apparently of comfort to many. A huge contrast in many ways to the song just above!
Take it Back, by Pink Floyd
Yep, all about us humans not respecting the earth, and how she may take it back. Recommended by two different members, Leigh and Dane.
Sooner or Later, Eliza Gilkyson
Tied to climate change (oil, and atmosphere!) but also other issues, and it is a song for climate activists. “Sooner or later, it’s a natural fact, we’re going to rise up, we’re going to take it all back.” Great bluesy soul, guitar. Thanks Pam. What a great voice she has.
Close to the Fires, The Samples
“Traditional” alternative-style song, but harping on the climate issues!
I like also how we all can pull together climate songs now…
John Bales, one of our members, wrote this song and was recorded by a friend, so you can find him playing it on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/norma.fraser.7/videos/852132560502421/?idorvanity=349978730956956
Environmental Songs!
Although not focused specifically on climate change – our environment is everything around us, and these songs highlight how we impact the earth (and through many of our actions, the climate as well.) Joni Mitchell – Big Yellow Taxi (also known for “They paved paradise, put a parking lot.”) There’s Neil Young – After the Goldrush. This is beautiful, and very sad, as we are on track for this in the future unless we learn to stop. Already, microplastic is in the ocean waves and rain, and our drinking water. The Last Great American Whale, by Lou Reed, breaks our hearts. Marvin Gaye’s smooth, pained song is incredible. And then the How Far We’ve Come, by Matchbox Twenty, shows our frustration. Many of these are depressing, but remember, that they inspired movements, inspired change, and we can use these for the same reasons too.
Thank you to our Facebook members for suggesting many of these. Let’s use these to help to learn to de-impact the earth, and help it heal.
Christmas Climate Caroling
Climate Caroling is a thing! Whether just a family or a flash mob in a mall (pre-COVID) – it’s happening. Here are multiple resources for lyrics (some are a little darker than others): And another Vancouver Christmas Climate Flash Mob, this time in 2019 https://globalnews.ca/video/5959541/vancouver-flash-mob-performs-ode-to-joy-for-climate-action.
Carol lyric sources:
- https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/12/22/climate-change-christmas-carols
- https://grist.org/climate-energy/we-wrote-and-sang-these-climate-apocalypse-holiday-carols-just-for-you/?fbclid=IwAR3jrlIDtvlgMRUcQLz6h5v6GTfGRXV0AN1Gotw0dNf8qzJuRW5wt4TPiBs
- https://kirkleescampaignagainstclimatechange.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/good-old-santa-claus-looked-out-to-tune-of-good-king-wencelas.docx
Additional Sources
The fullest list possible at the moment is possible because of Evan George at UCLA Emmett Institute: https://legal-planet.org/2026/06/18/best-climate-playlist-environmental-songs/.
The Guardian’s (one of the best climate-supporting news sites ever) ranked list: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/oct/28/the-greatest-songs-about-the-climate-crisis-ranked.
Plus:
environmental/climate change songs
byu/ProfessionalIdea5706 inMusicRecommendations
A singular song: https://sheffieldsingsoutfortheclimate.wordpress.com/portfolio/lyrics-for-the-song-for-the-climate/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ecologyofsystemsthinking/posts/2293001257445672/.
And again, Reddit:
Songs about environmental issues and/or climate change
byu/Timely-Damage-3592 inMusicRecommendations