Billie Eilish Raises Her Voice Against Climate Change

Billie Eilish is one of the biggest musicians in the world. She has won Grammy Awards and has millions of social media followers around the world. Eilish is currently supporting the “Hit Me Hard and Soft” tour, which rolls into Atlanta, Georgia this weekend. She is also bringing her “Overheated” climate conference to the U.S. for the first time.

The website said Overheated is, “Bringing together climate activists, musicians, and designers to discuss the climate crisis and their work to make a difference.” Billie Eilish partnered with Support and Feed to bring the half-day symposium to Atlanta and globally via streaming on her YouTube Channel, which has fifty million followers. The singer is no stranger to climate engagement. According to the Biosphere Sustainable website, Billie Eilish released the documentary “Overheated” in 2022. She highlighted her sustainability journey and shared stories of climate change impacts. The website went on to say, “Billie Eilish organized an event in London two years in a row. She invited experts, activists and other artists committed to sustainability, providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and a call to action.”

Her partnering organization for Overheated is Support and Feed. Its website stated that the organization, “…. Combats the climate crisis and food insecurity by working toward a global shift to an equitable, plant-based food system.” A 2022 study published in the journal Nutrients found plant-based diets could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 49% and diet-related land use by 76%. The study also noted potential reductions in water usage and eutrophication. Along with improving the health of our planet, the research also revealed significant health co-benefits.

Overheated is just the tip of the iceberg of Eilish’s climate activism (pun intended). While Vogue is known for fashion and trends, a 2023 article highlighted her climate activism, which includes speaking out on climate inequities and setting up “ecovillages” at her concerts. She also promotes “upcycling,” which is creatively reusing materials or clothing in different ways. She wore an upcycled Gucci dress to the 2022 Met Gala.

Artists are often challenged for their global travel and impacts on the environment. Eilish is aware of this part of her ecosystem too and is proactive about it. She partners with an organization called REVERB, which brings sustainability into the entertainment sector. They do this through more sustainable packaging, vegetarian or meatless meals for workers, water bottle refill stations, ecovillages and other methods to offset her carbon emissions.

The Overheated event is a family affair. Eilish’s brother Finneas, a talented musician/producer, and her mother Maggie Baird are significant contributors to the effort too. I look forward to attending and participating in the Atlanta event. The organizers have convened an impressive array of scientists, activists, and thought leaders. While older generations are stuck in “marinades” that flavor how they view climate change, global youth and younger adults “get it.” Hurricane Helene and recent unprecedented flooding in Spain are happening now, and things will likely get worse if we do not act now. Billie Eilish is using her voice to catalyze action.

Eilish’s song “Overheated” deals with the world of paparazzi and body imagery. However, songs take on different meanings to us all. Atlanta is such an appropriate inaugural site for Overheated. The state of Georgia is in the U.S. South. My scholarly research has identified emerging climate risk here due to the wide range of extreme weather events experienced and the number of vulnerable, less-resilient communities. Our planet is overheating too, and there is no Planet B.

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