Artists for the Earth
Artists inspire hope and unity on 50th anniversary of Earth Day
April 23, 2020
Though we may not see their work every day, artists around the world creatively fight for climate action year-round. Art transforms public opinion and inspires change by amplifying pro-environmental messages, creatively and peacefully.
On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, art was front and center.
Featured on the Earth Day Live stream were well-known musicians – like Aloe Blacc, Ziggy Marley and Nahko – who performed covers of inspiring songs. Singer-songwriters Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson even debuted original pieces dedicated to the planet.
The stream also featured climate-themed street art pieces from at least 500 artists around the world, part of the Global Halt stealth project launched on Earth Day.
Sculptors Courtney Mattison and Angela Pozzi sent messages of hope and unity, while National Geographic photographers David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes shared footage of the species we’re facing to lose.
“Now more than ever, our future is really uncertain,” Artist for the Earth Courtney Mattison, a coral reef conservationist, said in a video message. “But one thing is for sure: We’re all in this together.”
The overall theme was unifying.
“Artists are essential,” Ed Begley Jr., an American actor and environmentalist, said while hosting the livestream. “Anyone can make a powerful image in an expression of art to motivate people to act.”
Earth Day Live ended with an hour-long concert for the Earth that featured more than 40 musicians from 6 countries, led by Grammy-award winning musician and Earth Day Network ambassador Ricky Kej.
If Earth Day 2020 taught us anything, it’s that we can all contribute to the environmental movement: You can take meaningful action from anywhere, even inside your home. Keep updated with the environmental movement and register as an Artist for the Earth.
Credit for artwork at top: Shamsia Hassani, @shamsiahassani on Instagram.
