Global Citizen, a non-profit organization, has partnered with renowned musicians Lenny Kravitz, Billie Eilish, and H.E.R. to host a free concert on June 22 in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The event, Power Our Planet, is timed to coincide with the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact, a gathering of global leaders to discuss finance and sustainability. The concert aims to urge world leaders to take concrete steps against climate change, specifically to fulfill their 2009 promise to provide 16.7 billion dollars in climate financing to lower-income countries.
The event is a bold attempt to mobilize the masses and push governments and financial institutions to take action on climate change. Hugh Evans, CEO of Global Citizen, acknowledges that the window for action is closing and that the event must resonate with world leaders to achieve its goal. Evans expressed the urgent need for governments and global banks to collaborate and jumpstart stalled climate projects, which have been stalled since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Billie Eilish, one of the performing artists, has previously used her platform to raise awareness about environmental issues. Kravitz, another headliner, emphasized the importance of individual action, stating, “The next generation are inheriting a planet that’s being devastated by climate change… We have the power to change things with our voices and our actions.” H.E.R., the third musician participating, has been a vocal advocate for environmental issues and has leveraged her platform to raise awareness about the importance of sustainability.
Billie Eilish (Via Billie Eilish/Twitter)
The Eiffel Tower event is part of a broader initiative by Global Citizen to support the rewriting of the rules of global development banks and to relieve the debts of lower-income countries, increasing funding for climate adaptation projects. This event builds upon Global Citizen’s previous successes, including its A-list concerts in New York’s Central Park, which have consistently demonstrated the power of cultural leaders mobilizing their supporters to spark action.
The concert will be livestreamed on Global Citizen’s social media platforms and Amazon Music’s Twitch channel, ensuring that a global audience can participate in the event. The participation of French President Emmanuel Macron, who has expressed support for the Global Citizen initiative, adds weight to the movement. Major philanthropic organizations, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Rotary International, and Open Society Foundations, as well as the public-private partnership Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, will also lend their support to the effort.
As the world grapples with the consequences of climate change, the Power Our Planet: Live in Paris concert serves as a crucial reminder of the power of collective action. The event urges global leaders to take immediate action and fulfill their commitment to support climate change mitigation efforts. The concert is a shining example of how culture can play a significant role in driving social change, and its impact will be felt long after the event has ended.
