Singers, including Billie Eilish and Lenny Kravitz, politicians, and activists took to the stage in Paris on Thursday at a concert calling for action on climate change and inequality as world leaders met at the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact. Organized by the non-profit group Global Citizen, the “Power Our Planet: Live in Paris” event featured musical performances and speeches from climate activists and leaders from Brazil, Kenya, Barbados, and the World Bank, as well as famous faces, including Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh.
“The next generation is inheriting a planet that is being devastated by climate change, and we need to do everything we can to stop it from happening,” said Kravitz. He added that participating in the event was a “huge honor.” “I believe that if we can get the next generation onboard to be advocates, then we will have a chance to turn this around,” he said. The event aimed to promote financial backing from businesses and governments to help developing countries fight poverty and climate change. It was held on the Champ de Mars at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
The sold-out event was hosted by Global Citizen, the world’s leading international advocacy organization on a mission to end extreme poverty NOW. It featured performances from Lenny Kravitz, Billie Eilish, H.E.R., and Jon Batiste, and special guests Ayra Starr, FINNEAS, Joe Dwet File, and Mosimann. The concert was a rallying point for the hundreds of global leaders attending the New Global Financing Pact Summit, chaired by President Macron.
According to Reuters, the Summit aims to create multifaceted roadmaps for climate finance and development, focusing on the world’s poorest nations. Leaders are expected to call on the private sector and multilateral development banks to deliver billions of dollars in promised climate financing, reduce interest rates on existing World Bank loans for poor nations, and set ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions in line with the United Nations Race to Zero initiative.
Several politicians and heads of state have joined the Summit, including Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, and Joseph Muscat, the Prime Minister of Malta. The leaders will also discuss issues ranging from the effects of rising global inflation to rising debt rates for some developing nations.
Global Citizen Organizers have shown for years, especially with their A-list concerts in New York’s Central Park, that cultural leaders can mobilize their audiences to take action on the climate crisis. People can register on the organization’s website, complete missions, earn points, and then enter a draw to secure a ticket for the concert.
