Events

How Can the Music Industry Help the Planet? Inspiring Initiatives and Fresh Ideas

The music sector plays a significant role in both culture and the economy, but it also has great potential and a platform to contribute to sustainability and environmental protection.

Discussions about music and the environment often focus on live events—touring, large-scale concerts, air travel, plastic cups, and more—which are undeniably crucial issues. However, for songwriters, artists, record labels, publishers, and other music businesses, these topics can sometimes feel somewhat distant.

The upcoming seminar introduces inspiring initiatives within the music industry that contribute to the fight against climate change across various sectors of the industry.

There are many great initiatives worldwide, and in this seminar, we will highlight just three examples. However, we will also leave room to exchange fresh ideas and discoveries in an open discussion at the end. This will also be an opportunity to take a moment and reflect on what each of us can do within our own work to drive positive change.

 

Presenting their initiatives:

 

Saria Tourbah & EarthSonic

 

EarthSonic combines science and art to tell the story of climate change through music, engaging Indigenous musicians, scientists, and experts. The project aims to make complex scientific data more understandable and inspire young people to take action against climate change.

Saria Tourbah, EarthSonic’s project manager at In Place of War, contributes to its development by bringing together musicians, cultural organizers, and climate activists. With years of experience in the music and entertainment industry, she is committed to promoting sustainable practices and advancing cultural diversity.

Additionally, Saria is the co-founder of Saja Foundation, which provides art classes for vulnerable children. She believes that art is a powerful tool for promoting social change and raising environmental awareness.

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Larry Jaffee & Thermal Beets Records

 

Thermal Beets Records is an innovative initiative that creates vinyl records made from plant-based materials, replacing traditional PVC with an eco-friendly material developed by Evolution Music.

Larry Jaffee, co-founder of the company, is known as the co-founder and director of the Making Vinyl conference, which helps revive vinyl record production. He is also the author of Record Store Day: The Most Improbable Comeback of the 21st Century (2022) and teaches music writing at St. John’s University.

Jaffee’s career in the music industry began as a band manager, and later he worked as a radio promoter, helping a band sign with Elektra Records in 1979. Their album Wowii, which was initially left unreleased, was eventually released in 2023 by Reminder Records.

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Becky Young & EarthPercent

 

EarthPercent is a climate fund in the music industry co-founded by Brian Eno. One of its initiatives, “The Earth As Your Co-Writer”, allows songwriters to share publishing royalties with the planet to support environmental causes.

Becky Young, the operations and community lead at EarthPercent, drives this initiative, helping musicians contribute to the planet’s protection. She previously founded the Anti Diet Riot Club, a global community featured in The Guardian and The Times. With over ten years of experience in organizing cultural and music events, she is dedicated to creating purposeful and creative communities.

 

Time:

March 19 at 15:30–17:00

Price:

General admission: €25

Free for Music Estonia members and participants of the AMP ARENDUS and FOOKUS programs (with a code)

Get tickets HERE

The seminar will be held in English, conducted via Zoom, and will not be recorded. All participants are required to digitally sign a registration form to confirm their attendance. Relevant details will be sent via email.

The seminar is co-funded by the European Union and is part of Music Estonia’s project:
“Developing Estonian Music Enterprises and Enhancing Export Capabilities.”

In partnership with Fienta and Music City Tallinn.