New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Internationally renowned artists have come together to record a song to support the UN Secretary-General's leadership on climate change and the United Nations' call for a meaningful, universal, global climate change agreement to be signed by governments in December.
Love Song to the Earth" features performances by Paul McCartney, Jon Bon Jovi, Sheryl Crow, Fergie, Colbie Caillat, Natasha Bedingfield,
Leona Lewis, Sean Paul, Johnny Rzeznik, Krewella, Angelique Kidjo (a UNICEF
Goodwill Ambassador), Kelsea Ballerini,
Nicole Scherzinger,
Christina Grimmie,
Victoria Justice and Q'Orianka Kilcher.
On
September 11, it will enjoy a wide release on all major music distribution and streaming services around the world.
In addition to the song's release, Executive
Director Jerry Cope, has also produced and co-directed a "lyric video" premiering
September 11, which will feature breathtaking film from around the world by award-winning cinematographer Louie Schwartzberg, and footage of some of the artists, along with scientists, celebrities and people all over the world holding signs reading: "Keep it Safe," "It's Our World" and "Love Song to the Earth." The "cast" of the lyric video includes scientist and explorer Sylvia Earle; environmentalist and author Bill McKibben; "
Love Song" performers Colbie Caillat, Natasha Bedingfield, Angelique Kidjo, Kelsea Ballerini, and Q'Orianka Kilcher; keyboardist Chuck Leavell of the
Allman Brothers Band and
Rolling Stones and founder of the Mother Nature Network (MNN); "
Love Song" director Jerry Cope and his family; comedian Lewis Black; writer/producer Toby Gad and his family; Lyn Lear; UN Messenger of Peace Jane Goodall; and concludes with members of the Batwa Tribe in Uganda.
In December 2015, the world's leaders will assemble in Paris for COP21 in an effort to sign a meaningful, universal global agreement on climate change. The song's producers hope that "Love Song to The Earth" will bring the issue to new audiences and inspire them to reach out to their leaders to demand climate action. The artists will be asking their fans to "Share the Love Song" and "Take Climate Action Now" by signing a petition that will be delivered to world's leaders at the beginning of the climate conference.
"The UN has called for 'all hands on deck' to address this global challenge. The support, engagement, and passion of the creative community are key to engaging new audiences in the call for a meaningful and universal climate change agreement. When UN member states gather in Paris this December, the voices of everyone, especially the entertainment industry, will help ensure the best outcome possible for a better future for all." said
Aaron Sherinian, chief communications and marketing officer of the UN Foundation.
Love Song for the Earth will join The Climate Reality Project and
Friends of the Earth as a partner for24 Hours of Reality and Live Earth: The World is Watching, and will add the voices of artists and fans to the millions across the planet speaking up to demand a strong climate agreement in Paris.
Songwriter/producer Toby Gad explains, "When the UN asked me to write a song about climate change I felt honored and inspired. So, my friends and I wrote 'Love Song to The Earth', focusing on a positive message about how precious our only planet is. We went on to produce the all-star version of 'Love Song' for a
September 2015 release. Jerry Cope, a dedicated activist and powerful visionary, was instrumental in pulling the strings together for the single and masterminding the videos. I hope this song will broaden the audience for this urgent message and give the politicians emotional support for meaningful climate agreement in Paris 2015."
"We wanted to write a song that is about how when you love something, you look after it," says Bedingfield. "Many people turn a blind eye arguing that everything is ok environmentally. The song reminds us that having ownership of our world means taking care of it. Many people in my generation have grown up with fear about the future, and while we know about the environmental issues, we're unsure if there is any hope. With this song we wanted to talk about the environment in a way that would help people feel empowered to do something rather than be paralyzed by fear."
Jerry Cope adds, "The earth's climate supports the rhythm of life and music touches our very souls. Toby Gad, John Shanks,
Natasha Bedingfield and I began the Love Song project to raise voices and spirits to support the world's leaders this year as they negotiate a global climate agreement in Paris this December. It is critically important that we take the actions necessary to ensure a stable, safe climate system for all life on the planet. It is our Love Song to the Earth."
"Friends of the Earth is excited to be collaborating with Jerry Cope, Toby Gad, the UN Foundation and all the artists to make 'Love Song to the Earth' a reality," stated Erich Pica, president of
Friends of the Earth U.S. "The climate crisis is near a global tipping point, we hope everyone who hears this anthem takes action to encourage our political leaders to keep our planet safe, by keeping fossil fuels in the ground and moving toward 100 percent renewable energy. The time for leadership and action is now; if our political leaders can not or will not lead, then a people's movement must."
