The sound of change: How my music is fighting climate change—and winning
Hey, I’m Halisi Monray. Music is my heartbeat, my voice, and my weapon in the fight for our planet. The climate crisis can feel overwhelming—rising temperatures, raging wildfires, floods swallowing entire communities, oceans choked with plastic—but I believe deeply that together, through music and unity, we can win this battle.
Let me take you behind the scenes of my songs and my journey, and show you how climate music isn’t just about highlighting problems—it’s about sparking hope, resilience, and action.
Green War: Our battle anthem against rising temperatures and wildfires
When I wrote Green War, I was inspired by the urgency of our planet’s rising temperatures and the terrifying wildfires blazing across forests worldwide. But I didn’t want the song to be a dirge. No, Green War is a rallying cry, a call to arms, a powerful anthem telling us we can fight back.
The chorus pulses with energy, urging listeners to stand up, protect the earth, and fight alongside one another. It’s about that collective strength—the truth that climate change is a war we must fight together. Whenever I perform Green War live, I see faces light up with a fierce determination, and I know the message is landing. This isn’t just a song—it’s a movement.
Black Waters: Shedding light on the poison in our rivers and oceans
Water is life. But so many of our rivers and oceans are drowning in pollution—chemicals, plastics, waste that poison the creatures and communities depending on them. Black Waters dives into this crisis headfirst. The song is raw and emotional, painting a stark picture of blackened waters and dying ecosystems—but it also carries a plea for restoration and respect.
When people hear Black Waters, they don’t just feel sadness; they feel called to protect their waters, to clean, to fight for change. I want the song to be a tidal wave of awareness that sweeps through communities, inspiring action and care.
UGI: Honoring Indigenous wisdom as our guide forward
UGI is my homage to the incredible indigenous cultures whose ancient knowledge holds keys to surviving and thriving in harmony with the earth. Indigenous people have lived as guardians of the land for generations, and their wisdom is desperately needed now more than ever.
This song is both a celebration and a reminder—climate solutions aren’t just in technology or policy but in listening to indigenous voices and respecting their cultures. When I perform UGI, it’s a spiritual moment—like connecting past, present, and future through song.
My Journey: From CYNESA workshops to the global stage
I started this journey in 2021 by volunteering with CYNESA (Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa). Singing in workshops with young activists lit a fire in me. Then, performing at the UNEA Youth Environment Assembly was surreal—a global stage filled with passionate changemakers. I also performed in the Youth Environment assembly at the Stockholm +50 in Sweden.I then joined and helped build March for our planet a global south Movement that gives voice to grassroot communities and youths as a Regional lead.
Those moments taught me that music is a universal language—it breaks barriers, touches souls, and fuels movements. I’ve seen firsthand how a single song can inspire action, spark conversations, and create hope.
Using music to build movements: Africa Climate and Social Justice Awards
Music is powerful, but it’s even stronger when it fuels other creatives. That’s why I used my album sales to start the Africa Climate and Social Justice Awards. These awards celebrate artists who use their creativity to speak out for the environment and social justice.
The awards aren’t just about recognition—they’re about building a community of changemakers who use their art to challenge injustice and advocate for a greener, fairer world. It’s been incredible to see how many voices are rising, proving that art and activism go hand in hand.
Why I believe we can win this climate war
The climate crisis is the fight of our lifetime, but it’s not hopeless. Green War, Black Waters, and UGI aren’t just songs—they’re messages of hope and resilience. They remind us that climate change isn’t a battle we face alone. It’s a war we fight together—across cultures, generations, and borders.
Through music, through community, through listening to indigenous wisdom and youth voices, we can turn the tide. I feel it every time I sing, every time I connect with listeners who tell me they’re inspired to act. The war on climate change can be won—and music is one of our greatest weapons.
Join the movement
If you take anything away from my story and my music, let it be this: your voice matters. Your actions matter. Whether you sing, paint, write, or simply spread the word, you are part of this movement.
Listen to Green War, Black Waters, and UGI. Let the music move you to care—and then to act. Together, we can protect our planet and build a future filled with hope and harmony.
This is more than music. This is our fight. And we will win it, together.
