Environmental Awareness through Music

For the first half of the year in this class we have focused on problems facing our environment and how to protect it. We have discussed Global Warming and our diminishing resources. We’ve posted blogs about alternative forms of energy, light pollution, green architecture, and much more. But something we haven’t really addressed is the different ways people and organizations are making others aware of these problems. For me, one of the most interesting, and I think successful, ways people are creating environmental awareness is through music.

Modest Mouse is one of these musical groups many of you probably know about. Using their fame and musical talent, they wrote a song titled “King Rat” on their new album, ‘No One’s First, and You’re Next’. Modest Mouse got together with Heath Ledger soon after they wrote “King Rat” and worked to produce a video. If you click on the link below you can watch the video they created. As you can see the video, along with the song, addresses whaling and its horrors in a clear and vivid way. With graphic images of people being harpooned by whales it challenges the viewer’s perspective. People are accustomed too seeing whales being harpooned, but suddenly when the situation is reversed, it’s not so easy to watch. This video was hard for me to watch, especially when the whales were skinning the humans, even though it is just a cartoon. But it really made me think about how horrible whaling is and made me want to stand up against it; I’m sure it has motivated many others as well.

Another example of people using music to create awareness can be seen even with college kids like us. If you go to the YouTube link I have attached, you can watch a video of my boyfriend’s roommates down in Santa Monica. They are aspiring artists who call themselves Last Name Basis. This song they wrote is about conservation and just a way for them to let people know, mainly their fans, what’s going on in the environment. It’s entertaining, funny, and has a good message. Things like this really show me that anyone can have an effect whether it is large or small.

I am not trying to call anyone into action with this blog post. I just want to let people know how easy it is to get involved and help save the environment in their own way. You can use the talents you have or take something you’re interested in and find a way to help save or educate about the environment.

http://vodpod.com/watch/2009757-modest-mouse-king-rat-directed-by-heath-ledger-vdeo-demyspace-australia-vdeo-do-myspace