“Champions for sustainable energy” Chester and Mike were joined at the Social Good Summit by Kumi Naidoo, Bill McKibben, and Andrew Freedman to speak about climate justice.
To start- how do they define climate justice and environmental justice, and how is it progressing? Naidoo explains that the people suffering the most from climate impacts are not even mostly responsible for the emissions; climate justice would be to approach the move to abandon oil, coal and gas. Rich nations must give substantial amounts of aid to help developing countries cope with the impact of climate change- which is happening now, happening every day.
The struggle is about ensuring humanity’s ability to coexist with nature in a mutually independent way, believes Naidoo, and ensuring the future of our younger generations. That’s why he calls it climate justice.
Bill AcKibben adds that climate justice, of course, implies there is climate injustice, which certain peoples and companies are guilty of. For twenty-five years we’ve had warnings of the consequences from scientists and economists, but nothing has been done- the power of the fossil-fuel industry has such influence, willing to destroy the planet for money.
Actions are now being taken, but the question now is whether we can make the right movements fast enough to matter at this point in time.
Mike starts speaking on how [Music for Relief] started, remembering being open to start the project as long as they stayed out of the politics; nonetheless, they’re passionate most about the fact that it’s a humanitarian issue. And [Music for Relief] helps Linkin Park reach the fans that need such information and issues condensed and made simple to understand. Make it exciting and hopeful instead of using fear tactics.
Chester goes to define climate injustice as the fact that there are people burning dung and dangerous materials for energy, and it’s not just hurting them; whether in a rural area or in a highly advanced city, each person is feeling the impact.
“And we have the power to change it. Provide power to the world.”
Now, how have Linkin Park approached the fact that they have more than 60 million followers on Facebook alone, Freedman asks, how have they channeled their outreach towards their humanitarian movements?
As fans, we of course know the band tries to keep us as involved as possible because we want to, not because they are, as Mike says, preaching- take Recharge, for example. Playing this game developed by the band and creative creators, we are “solving the problem that existed in the game, in the real world” by raising awareness and buying certain items for our characters. hence donating to the cause.
Let’s not forget all their other actions to involve us for climate change and humanitarian moves; Power the World, text-to-donate at concerts, campaigns that reward us such as the latest during Carnivores Tour- $13,000 total was raised for the fight against Ebola, the fan to raise the most offered a VIP experience for their hard work.
Watch the entire panel set below, Naidoo continuing on and explain how “the time for words is over.” However, though the time for words is over and action is needed, Chester reminds us, “if there ever was a time for people to use their voices and be heard, and have impact, it is today.”
We need to collectively raise our voices. Now is the time. #2030NOW
