A GREAT EVENT CALLED “EARTH CAN YOU HEAR US?” IS TAKING PLACE TODAY IF YOU CAN GET TO ST PANCRAS AT 7PM TODAY??
Today COP21, the UN climate change summit, begins in Paris. But there is plenty going on in London too – beginning with Earth, can you hear us?, a cultural takeover of St Pancras International Station today at 7pm GMT.
The event will feature a flashmob of 180 professional singers and will be hosted by BBC Radio 1 presenter Gemma Cairney and feature UN Climate Poet Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner plus a barnstorming headline performance by internationally acclaimed beatboxer Shlomo, who has worked with some of the biggest names in music including Bjork, Damon Albarn, Lily Allen, Jarvis Cocker, Martha Wainwright, and The Specials.
ArtCop21, the major global festival of cultural activity on climate change has partnered with 100% renewable electricity supplier, Good Energy, to bring a host of performances calling for climate action. The event, Earth can you hear us? will take place at St Pancras station today, the first day of the United Nations conference of climate change, COP21. The central London station will be filled with music, poetry and talks (programme below) as UK delegates board the trains bound for Paris to participate in what is billed as the most crucial United Nations climate change summit in history.
Also speaking will be David Buckland, Director of Cape Farewell, the UK organisation behind the ArtCop21 programme, and Juliet Davenport, founder of Good Energy. Both David and Juliet are experts in their respective fields and they will be giving their thoughts on the role culture has to play in engaging society in the climate challenge and to bring about policy changes on a global scale. ArtCop21 will also feature a surprise flash choir act for many of the 73,000 people who pass through the station each day, making for a fantastic photo and video opportunity.
Over 100 members of community choirs from right across London – from Camberwell to Camden and aged 18 to 80 – have been busy rehearsing a very special version of ‘Kiss from a Rose’ by Seal – which will surprise the audience mid-set with soaring acapella harmonies celebrating the power of collaboration and community to bring about positive change, and act as an urgent call to the politicians in Paris to commit to major climate action.
“I believe in the power of the arts to drive change. The arts are provoking thoughts and discussion around many issues in society and climate change should be no different. The science of climate change and impact it has on society needs to be translated and explored. By joining forces with ArtCop21 for such a unique cultural event we’ll help get climate change communicated to a wider audience.” Juliet Davenport, CEO, Good Energy
Programme
From 18:00 at St Pancras Station, Euston Rd, London N1C 4QP
18:00-18:30 Photo-call
19:00 Intro from BBC Radio 1 Gemma Cairney
19.05 David Buckland introduction speech
19:10 Shlomo does taster 10 minute warm up set
19:20 Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner performs her poem, “Dear Matafele Peinem”
19.30 100+ strong Flash choir cued in by Kathy/Gemma perform “Kiss from a Rose”
19.35 Gemma Cairney applauds end of the flash choir and hands over to Juliet
19.40 Juliet Davenport (CEO of Good Energy) gives speech “Culture is Climate”
19.55 Shlomo beat boxing performance – 20 minutes
20:15 Ends
