Music has the power to inspire, move, and unite people from all walks of life. The Environmental Music Prize recognizes this power and aims to amplify the voices of artists who inspire action for climate and conservation. This $20,000 prize, launched during the UN Climate Change Conference, celebrates musicians who use their craft to bring attention to the urgent need to protect our planet.
The Environmental Music Prize: Details and Purpose
The Environmental Music Prize is a $20,000 prize that recognizes the power of music in inspiring environmental action. The prize is open to musicians of all ages and genres who use their voices to take action for the planet. The prize aims to amplify the voices of artists who inspire action for climate and conservation. It seeks to recognize and support artists who use their craft to promote environmental advocacy.
The eligibility criteria for entries can be found on the official website of the Environmental Music Prize. The website also outlines the entry process and provides a link to submit entries. The deadline for entries is June 4th, 2023.
The Significance of the Environmental Music Prize
Music has been an important tool in the fight against climate change. From Bob Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” to Billie Eilish’s “All the Good Girls Go to Hell,” music has always had the power to inspire people to action. The Environmental Music Prize recognizes the importance of music in promoting environmental advocacy and seeks to amplify the voices of artists who use their craft to inspire change. We at Happy Eco News also understand and believe in the power of music to affect social change, and that is why we, too, help promote eco-music artists focused on environmental issues
In the past environmental songs have significantly impacted raising awareness about environmental issues. For example, Marvin Gaye’s “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” highlighted the impact of pollution on the environment. Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” spoke about the importance of preserving nature. “Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day is a song about Hurricane Katrina that urges people to take climate change seriously. More recently, “Ocean Eyes” by Billie Eilish a song that speaks to the beauty of the ocean and the need to protect it from pollution and environmental destruction. These songs and others like them have inspired generations to take action for the environment.
The 2023 Finalists
The 2023 Environmental Music Prize finalists were announced on Earth Day 2023 and represent a diverse range of genres and ages. They include Australian icons Midnight Oil, Flume, and Tash Sultana; critically acclaimed indie songwriters MO’JU, Xavier Rudd, Ziggy Alberts, and Jen Cloher; country music legend Troy Cassar-Daley; hard rock Wildheart; classical ensemble The Bowerbird Collective; and emerging songwriters Georgia Mae and Sunfruits.
Each song and music video was selected based on its ability to connect us to nature and reflect the environmental movement’s hopes, fears, and ambitions. The committee shortlisting the finalists comprised Environmental Leaders, Music Ambassadors, and Impact Partners and includes Greenpeace, Australian Youth Climate Coalition, The Wilderness Society, Climate Scientist Dr. Joelle Gergis, Stu Mackenzie of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (last year’s winners), L-Fresh The Lion, Jess Riberio, Nidala Barker, triple j, Green Music Australia, Music Victoria, QMusic, Paper Moose, and The Bravery.
Just like the people who are taking action in the world today, the 2023 finalists represent a diverse range of genres and ages. All of these talented musicians bring their own unique stories and experiences to each song and all are worthy of a listen.
Voting for the finalists is via EnvironmentalMusicPrize.com and closes on June 4th.
