ENVIRONMENTAL MUSIC PRIZE

The science is clear. The solutions exist. 

What we need now is a cultural response to the climate emergency. 

To move millions from apathy to action. 

And compels us to defend the fragile ecosystems that defend all life on earth.

What if we…

• Unleashed the power of music and film to emotionally engage
  both mainstream and niche audiences?
  
  

• Empowered cultural leaders from a variety of backgrounds
  to demonstrate that the environment is something we all care about,
  and that there are many different perspectives - and solutions?

• Had more popular music that reflected the things we really care about
  so music lovers, nature lovers, and those demanding climate justice could find a wide range of songs that reflected their blissful moments connecting to nature,  their eco-anxiety and their desire to work with others to protect those they love?  

THE ENVIRONMENTAL MUSIC PRIZE ENGAGES, ENERGISES AND ACTIVATES DIVERSE AUDIENCES THROUGH MUSIC

Every EARTH DAY (April 22) we:

• Reveal Music Videos selected by Environmental Leaders and Music Ambassadors
  for their ability to connect us to nature and remind us to protect it.
  
  

• Capture media attention when high-profile musicians are announced
  giving eco-engaged artists the opportunity to talk about why their wrote their powerful songs, and the environmental issues that matter to them.
  
  

• Invite the world to watch, vote and share
  Creating meaningful moments of reflection, and deep audience engagement.
  Focusing attention on powerful eco-songs
  Generating global interest in Australian music and perspectives.

THIS CREATES MOMENTUM FOR THE GOALS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT

• Changing social norms
  making it cool to care and removing the social licence of polluters
  
  

• Catalysing rapid social change
  when high profile-artists start posting about their environmental journey and actions, or get behind existing campaigns
  
  

• Ensuring there is strong public support for ambitious climate action
  at the scale and speed required.

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO CONTINUE, SCALE TO MEET INCREDIBLE INTEREST AND TO HAVE AN IMPACT 

Environmental Music Limited (the small start-up non-profit running the prize) is being run probono by its Founder and relies on the generous support of individuals and organisations.

We are calling on music industry and government support, but in the meantime we need our community of nature-lovers and music lovers to help ensure the prize survives in year 3 and can capitalise on phenomental engagement and opportunity.

Funding will allow us to: 

• Support of eco-conscious artists who build public action on climate and conservation
• Co-design ‘Music Climate and Conservation Leadership Workshops’ with environmental groups
• Connect artists to aligned environmental campaigns
• Highlight meaningful music and artists in the media and at impact-focused events.

This will: 

• Amplify artists who inspire.
• Energise diverse audiences.
• Activate those not yet engaged.
• Accelerate public support for ambitious climate action.

Will you help us harness the power of music to inspire our friends, family and neighbours to act for preserve our vital ecosystems?

PRIZE MONEY FOR THE PUBLICLY-VOTED MAIN PRIZE = $20,000 

• Attract, reward and incentivise the most influential cultural voices to sing, play and speak out in support of positive climate action.
• The Prize money ensures prestige, media attention and focus

STRETCH GOALS

CONTRIBUTION TO RUNNING COSTS = $30,0000 
(another $70,000 needs to be raised from music industry, government, sponsorship)

• Artist outreach
• Management of prize
• Design and coms
• Website and CRM
• Video editing
• Social media
• Media and PR
• Legal and Admin

IMPACT FOCUSED ACTIVITIES = $30,0000

• Research, Music Industry Outreach and Relationship Building to ensure the best songs are submitted and high profile artists engage.
• Running Music Climate and Conservation Leadership Workshops co-designed with Environmental partners to ensure aritsts understand current issues, how to talk about them effectively and authenticly, and what others are doing.
• Supporting artists to collaborate strategically with the environmental movement 
• Travel and accomodation for impact focused events that help build the ecosystem
• Ability to seize strategic opportunities (they are popping up every day!) 

IMAGINE WHAT WE COULD DO TOGETHER...

If you'd like to partner, sponsor or make a substantial gift, or use your platform to amplify in a substantial way, please reach out to discuss: [email protected]

--------

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

IMPACT OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS

• 46 SONGS celebrated nature and reminded us to protect it
   Selected by environmental leaders, music ambassadors and impact partners
  
  
• 47 FINALISTS reflected a rich diversity of music, backgrounds and perspectives.
  They included:
  Midnight Oil, Flume, Emily Wurramara, Tash Sultana, Mo’Ju, King Gizzard, Paul Kelly, Woodes, King Stingray, Lime Cordiale, Jack River, Ziggy Alberts, Briggs, In Hearts Wake and L-Fresh The Lion.
  
  
• 8 MILLION+ CUMULATIVE SOCIAL MEDIA REACH
  
  
• INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE ON EARTH DAY
  Former UN Climate Chief and Chair of the Earthshot Prize,  Christana Figueres, invites her gloabl audience to listen and reflect.
  
  
• PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD VOTED 
  From 58 countries in 2022 and 59 countries in 2023.
  
  
• 2022 WINNERS - KING GIZZARD - DONATED THEIR $20,000 PRIZE TO THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY
  
  
• 2023 WINNER - XAVIER RUDD - DONATED HIS $20,000 PRIZE TO4 GRASSROOTS ORGANISATIONS
  Environs Kimberley, Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue, The Forever Reef Project, and Save Sunshine Glossies
  
  
• OUSTANDING MEDIA COVERAGE 
  258 pieces of media coverage in 2023 = 40.9 million opportunities to be seen
  Highlights included:
  - The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, WA Today, Brisbane Times : double page print and digital feature focused on emerging eco-artists (7.5M readership)
  - Australian Associated Press : syndicated ‘Indigenous Musicians Shine Light on Caring for Country’ across 16 publications (5.4M readership)
  - The Australian : ran positive environmental story about winner Xavier Rudd (3M readership)
  - ABC Radio : broadcast feature about Xavier, interviewed Sunfruits, played several finalist songs and mentioned the prize (1.4M listenership)
  
  
• WORKSHOPS CO-DESIGNED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS EMPOWERED ARTISTS TO USE THEIR VOICE STRATEGICALLY
  Music Conservation Workshop with The Wilderness Society
  Music Climate Leadership Workshop with Dr Joelle Gergis
  Music Climate Leadership Workshop with Green Music, Greenpeace, Australian Progress, Australian Youth Climate Coalition, Lime Cordiale, FEAT Initiative, Solar Slice and Lisa Mitchell
  Environmental Music Prize Discovery Session with Montaigne
  
  

Dr Joelle Gergis - Australia's lead climate scientist on the UN's IPCC Report and author of 'Humanity's Moment: A Climate Scientists Case For Hope' - calls on creatives to use their talent and influence to drive cultural change.

Sustainable Hour Interview with prize founder Edwina Floch.

MEDIA COVERAGE