Mental health and wellbeing column: empowering young advocates

Music is ubiquitous; it's everywhere and we can't escape its powerful emotional effects, whether through active or passive engagement. Music is also a non-threatening, universally understood language that is appreciated by people of all ages and demographics.

Historically, popular music has had a strong tradition in environmental activism, with the strength of the celebrity role not necessarily being to initiate new solutions but to promote ideas to a wider audience through an extensive fan base. It therefore makes sense to use music's properties for the common good and offer it to the younger generation to voice their concerns over the future of the planet. We all have a role to play in looking after our environment, and children are becoming increasingly aware of global issues. Young people have a particular stake in this because it is their future that is in jeopardy. It is our duty as educators to provide them with the appropriate tools to have their say, through nurturing and responding to environmental issues.