September, 04 2015, 09:45am EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
PMG, 323.337.9042
Henry Eshelman/Mark Rabinowitz/Sabrina Zeile
heshelman@platformgrp.com; mark@platformgrp.com sabrina@platformgrp.com
UN Foundation, 202.496.6386
tmusoke@unfoundation.org
Friends of the Earth U.S., 202.222.0730
edyson@foe.org
Internationally Renowned Artists Sing to Inspire Action on Climate Change: "Love Song to the Earth"
Features Paul McCartney, Jon Bon Jovi, Sheryl Crow, Fergie, Colbie Caillat, Natasha Bedingfield, Leona Lewis, Sean Paul, Johnny Rzeznik, Krewella, Angelique Kidjo, Kelsea Ballerini, Nicole Scherzinger, Christina Grimmie, Victoria Justice, and Q’Orianka Kilcher
NEW YORK, NY
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.
Written by Toby Gad, Natasha Bedingfield, John Shanks and Sean Paul, and produced by Toby Gad and John Shanks, the song is available worldwide now, exclusively on iTunes and Apple Music via Connect. The artists, producers and directors of the Love Song project - as well as Apple - are donating their respective proceeds to Friends of the Earth U.S. and the United Nations Foundation.
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 U.S. as a partner for 24 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 artiststo 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."
Credits: "Love Song to The Earth"
Producers: John Shanks, Toby Gad
Executive Director: Jerry Cope
Written by: Toby Gad, John Shanks, Natasha Bedingfield, Sean Paul
Performing Artists: Paul McCartney, Jon Bon Jovi, Sheryl Crow, Fergie, Colbie Caillat, Natasha Bedingfield, Leona Lewis, Sean Paul, Johnny Rzeznik, Krewella, Angelique Kidjo, Kelsea Ballerini, Nicole Scherzinger, Christina Grimmie, Victoria Justice and Q'Orianka Kilcher.
Songwriter and producer Toby Gad has penned and produced hits for John Legend, Beyonce, Fergie, Demi Lovato and more. Natasha Bedingfield is the singer/ songwriter of "Pocketful of sunshine" and "Unwritten," among others. A Grammy(r)-winning producer and songwriter, John Shanks has worked with artists from Melissa Etheridge and Sheryl Crow to Stevie Nicks and Kelly Clarkson.
About the UN Foundation:
The United Nations Foundation links the UN's work with others around the world, mobilizing the energy and expertise of business and non-governmental organizations to help the UN tackle issues including climate change, global health, peace and security, women's empowerment, poverty eradication, energy access, and U.S.-UN relations.
About Friends of the Earth U.S.:
Friends of the Earth U.S. fights to create a more healthy and just world. Our current campaigns focus on promoting clean energy and solutions to climate change, ensuring the food we eat and products we use are safe and sustainable, and protecting marine ecosystems and the people who live and work near them. Friends of the Earth U.S. are engaging citizens on the top environmental issues of our time through Earth HQ (https://earthhq.foe.org). Friends of the Earth U.S. is a member of Friends of the Earth International, a global network representing more than two million activists in 76 countries.
About The Climate Reality Project:
The Climate Reality Project is one of the world's leading organizations dedicated to mobilizing action around climate change. With a global movement more than 5 million strong and a grassroots network of trained Climate Reality Leaders, we are spreading the truth of the climate crisis to communities everywhere and creating cultural momentum to solve it. Former Vice President and Nobel Laureate Al Gore is the Founder and Chairman of The Climate Reality Project. Learn more at www.climaterealityproject.org.
Take Action:
www.lovesongtotheearth.org
#SharetheLoveSong
Friends of the Earth fights for a more healthy and just world. Together we speak truth to power and expose those who endanger the health of people and the planet for corporate profit. We organize to build long-term political power and campaign to change the rules of our economic and political systems that create injustice and destroy nature.
(202) 783-7400LATEST NEWS
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The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has tracked conflict, disarmament, and weapons for nearly six decades. Its 2024 spending report states that "for the second year in a row, military expenditure increased in all five of the world's geographical regions, reflecting heightened geopolitical tensions across the globe."
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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday announced an upcoming three-day truce to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for an immediate monthlong cease-fire.
All NATO members boosted military spending last year, which SIPRI researcher Jade Guiberteau Ricard said was "driven mainly by the ongoing Russian threat and concerns about possible U.S. disengagement within the alliance."
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Another SIPRI researcher, Lorenzo Scarazzato, highlighted that "for the first time since reunification Germany became the biggest military spender in Western Europe, which was due to the €100 billion special defense fund announced in 2022."
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The report, co-published by Human Rights Watch and Harvard Law School's International Human Rights Clinic, comes just ahead of the first United Nations General Assembly meeting on autonomous weapons systems next month. Back in 2017, dozens of artificial intelligence and robotics experts published a letter urging the U.N. to ban the development and use of killer robots. As drone warfare has grown, those calls have continued.
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