Classical Declares Emergency
On 22 April 2021, the classical music sector officially joined the climate emergency declaration movement, launching #classicaldeclares.
High profile individuals and organisations within the classical music world have joined with Music Declares Emergency to further strengthen the response from the music world to the climate emergency and to develop best practice in making their sector more sustainable.
Over 180 declarers from the classical world have now signed a #ClassicalDeclares letter which states:
“As artists, venues, agents and all the members of our industry we will actively share best practice in order to divest from fossil fuels, reduce waste, pollution and carbon emissions. We want to instigate an open conversation about the challenges of creating a sustainable music profession and we commit to using our platforms to inspire, educate and demonstrate change.”
Classical Declares Emergency open letter, April 2021
Those working within the sector can add their names by following this link.
The new group joins the existing ‘Music Declares Emergency’-list and includes Julian Lloyd Webber, Errollyn Wallen CBE, Rachel Portman OBE, Nicholas Daniel OBE, Tasmin Little OBE, London Sinfonietta, Chineke! Foundation, Paraorchestra, British Youth Opera, HarrisonParrott, Askonas Holt, Sound and Music, NonClassical, Black Lives in Music, Spitalfields Music, Green Music Australia, Nevis Ensemble, Brunel Quartet, Trees of Music, Brighton Early Music Festival, Shadwell Opera, Orchestra For The Earth, London Lucumi Choir, Cheltenham Arts Festival and many more.
→ If you’re a classical musician looking to engage in environmental action, check out this Green Orchestras Guide and read an opinion piece by John Warner, Founder & Artistic Director at Orchestra for the Earth, about his organisation’s sustainability journey.
On 22 April 2021, the music labels Beggars Group and Ninja Tune unveiled plans to turn their operations carbon negative
→ Read more about the topics in Julie’s Bicycle’s summary article:
Music declares: Turn up the volume
Musicians declare: Turn up the volume
Coinciding with Earth Day, Music Declares Emergency’s Turn Up The Volume campaign highlighted inspiring creative climate action happening across UK music, garnering press in the Independent and Kerrang!.
CANADIAN, GERMAN AND FRENCH MUSICIANS DECLARE
Music Declares Emergency has recently been launched in France, Germany and Canada, and a big list of artists have signed on in support: Tegan & Sara, the Weather Station, Dan Mangan, Caribou, members of Broken Social Scene, Luna Li, Tokyo Police Club, LAL and many more. Internationally, declarers include Radiohead, Billie Eilish, the xx, among others.
By signing on, each artist declares the following:
- We call on governments and media institutions to tell the truth about the climate and ecological emergency.
- We call on governments to act now to reverse biodiversity loss and reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by no later than 2030.
- We recognise that the emergency has arisen from global injustices and will work towards systemic change to protect life on earth.
- We acknowledge the environmental impact of music industry practices and commit to taking urgent action.
And as a music community:
- Jointly support one another, sharing expertise as a collective industry and community.
- Speak up and out about the climate and ecological emergency.
- Work towards making our businesses ecologically sustainable and regenerative.
→ Website: www.linktr.ee/MusicDeclaresCanada
→ Instagram: www.instagram.com/musicdeclares_canada
→ Now Toronto – 19 March 2021:
More than 100 musicians declare a climate emergency in Canada
“Music Declares Emergency, a global movement pushing the music industry to address climate change head-on, has landed in Canada.”
FRENCH TWEETS
→ Learn more about the German initiative on: www.musicdeclares.net/de