Music Declares Emergency is a registered charity, number 1198497. It was founded by a group of artists, music industry professionals and organisations.
The continued rise in greenhouse gas emissions and the ongoing devastation of the natural world constitute a clear and present threat to life on Earth.
That an immediate governmental response is necessary to protect all life from climate and ecological catastrophe.
Music, musicians and music businesses, through their unique cultural and economic power, can lead the way in demanding the systemic changes required to secure all life on earth.
We call on all those within the industry to join us in declaring a climate emergency and to work towards making the cultural and operational changes necessary to contribute towards a carbon neutral future.
Music Declares Emergency has been harnessing the power of music to put the climate emergency on the front page of culture for five years. Our small team have created a community of support within music that encompasses all the major UK music organisations and businesses, over 4000 recording artists and a host of important individuals and change makers within UK music culture.
Through our NO MUSIC ON A DEAD PLANET campaign we have shifted the dynamic of climate communications by on-boarding messengers of global impact, from Billie Eilish and Radiohead to the London Symphony Orchestra and Julian Lloyd Webber. By working across the entire music ecosystem, with a presence at grass roots shows and major festivals we are shifting access to climate activism into the mainstream.
Our NO MUSIC ON A DEAD PLANET campaign is building on the success of our message to create, develop, and maintain a people led community of shared purpose. Launched in February 2024 with the support of the BRIT Awards, the movement is building at pace, creating new climate advocates every week, joined by their shared love of music and commitment to a better future for all.
Music Declares Emergency is an independent charity with no party political or commercial affiliations.
We believe in the power of music to promote the necessary cultural changes to create a greener, fairer, better future.
Fay Milton (she/her) - Co-Executive Director
Fay is a musician and has worked as a creative in the music industry since 2005. She is the drummer from the twice Mercury-nominated band, Savages, and is an artist under the name Goddess and Co-Hosts the podcast Sounds Like a Plan. After participating in the early days of XR, and seeing how music could be powerful in this space, Fay brought together the founding members of Music Declares Emergency.
Lewis Jamieson (he/him) - Co-Executive Director
Lewis has worked in the music and cultural industries since graduating from Leeds University in 1993. Beginning in exports, he became an A & R Manager before taking on artist management and PR roles, creating his own company, Loudhailer Press and Management in 2009. Having worked with some of the world's biggest artists in multiple roles and represented key festivals and music related brands, Lewis joined with other concerned music industry professionals to form and launch the charity in 2019. Since 2021, Lewis has been jointly responsible for the direction of MDE alongside Co-Executive Director Fay Milton.
James Osborne (he/him) - Finance Director
James’ background is in the charity sector, though he is also a keen music fan. He is currently treasurer for Student Action for Refugees, Refuweegee and National Ugly Mugs, and was previously a trustee at Climate Outreach. He also has an Environmental Science degree from the Open University that focused on climate change.
Ella Harris (she/they) - Assistant to the Directors
Ella is a musician and therapist in training, with seven years experience in the music industry, and grassroots activism. They play in the band PVA and have worked at various venues, in live promotion, and in fundraising for charity throughout their time playing in the band. Through Group Therapy Collective, they supported artists in raising awareness and funds for initiatives like Black Minds Matter, the MVT and Music Minds Matter.
The UK Parliament has declared a climate emergency as well as dozens of councils across the political spectrum, including the Greater London Authority, Bristol and Manchester: climateemergency.uk
