Playing For Change and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) announce Peace Through Music: A Global Event for the Environment, set for December 15th. The event will feature more than 200 artists from more than 35 countries, including Black Pumas, Jack Johnson, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Sara Bareilles, Slash, and The Lumineers, together with world leaders and influencers, to join the fight for Planet Earth. The event will be broadcast on December 15th at 6 p.m. PST / 9 p.m. EST (2 a.m. GMT December 16th) on the Playing For Change YouTube channel.
The online event and fundraiser is produced by Playing For Change in partnership with UNFPA, and seeks to unite the world in taking action for a sustainable future and advance progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The harmful effects of human activity on the environment are impacting populations and their ecosystems around the globe, threatening to set back development efforts by decades. Those with the fewest resources and opportunities will be most susceptible, particularly the most vulnerable populations.
Through the universal language of music and the art of storytelling, Peace Through Music: A Global Event for The Environment will raise global awareness and call for real action for environmental sustainability. It will embody the unity and common purpose that beats in the heart of humanity for the protection of our only home: our planet.
Artist performances, Songs Around The World and special documentaries will also capture the beauty and fragility of the environment during the hour-long event.
This year’s event follows the resounding success of 2020’s Peace Through Music: A Global Event for Social Justice, which featured more than 200 musicians — including Aloe Blacc, Annie Lennox, Becky G, Brandi Carlile, Carlos and Cindy Blackman Santana, Gary Clark Jr. and Ringo Star — from more than 40 countries and received 4+ million views, raising more than $1 million for charity partners.
All net proceeds will go to organizations that prioritize real time solutions that facilitate environmental justice and sustainability, including Conservation International, American Rivers, World Wildlife Fund, REVERB, and the Playing For Change Foundation. Part of the funds raised will advance education programs led by the Playing For Change Foundation with the support of UNFPA to positively impact the lives and choices of adolescents and youth around the globe.
“During this important time in human history, we are honored to continue our partnership with the United Nations for our 2021 Peace Through Music global event for the environment. Through music, we eliminate boundaries, hierarchy, and status. Through stories and ideas, we learn from our Indigenous ancestors how to listen to the rhythm of our planet,” says Mark Johnson, Playing For Change Co-Founder.
“Climate change multiplies existing inequalities and vulnerabilities, disrupts access to life-saving health services and limits people’s ability to exercise their fundamental rights and choices. We know we must work together to achieve real change, and music has the power to unite, energize and inspire us as we confront these challenges together and work towards a better future,” says Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director UNFPA.
“Corning Gorilla Glass is excited to partner with Playing For Change again this year to support their mission of bringing music and unity to the world. We believe that it is essential that we support initiatives that are bigger than all of us and make our environment, our lives better. And, we are thrilled that devices featuring our Gorilla Glass technology are playing a small, yet critical role in this event driving collaboration and connection,” says Scott Forester, Division Vice President, Business Director, Corning® Gorilla® Glass.
