Climate Songs
Exploring and Communicating Through Song
Songs about climate change? Yes! They’re out there, and 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.
Environment-in-general songs.
And finally, Christmas Climate Carols!
Sing at the top of your lungs, with friends, and spread the news.
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 my 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 my friend and colleague 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 a 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. I love, love this song. It’s one of those songs you just revel in – until you think about the topic.
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.
Sustainable Soundtracks
featuring Adam Baptiste (a collaborator of Climate Steps): We Don’t Have Time
Blue Light of Flame
by Dar Williams
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
I like also how any of us can pull together climate songs now…
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.
Lyric sources:
- https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/12/22/climate-change-christmas-carols
- http://www.climatesongs.com/Lyrics.htm
- https://grist.org/climate-energy/we-wrote-and-sang-these-climate-apocalypse-holiday-carols-just-for-you/?fbclid=IwAR3jrlIDtvlgMRUcQLz6h5v6GTfGRXV0AN1Gotw0dNf8qzJuRW5wt4TPiBs
- https://sheffieldsingsoutfortheclimate.wordpress.com/portfolio/lyrics-for-the-song-for-the-climate/
- https://kirkleescampaignagainstclimatechange.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/good-old-santa-claus-looked-out-to-tune-of-good-king-wencelas.docx
Environmental Songs! Obviously, we need to work on this list here: 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.