Lloyd Lovindeer leads a throng of entertainers who combined on a song for climate change. Here they perform at the Mona Visitors' Lodge at the University of the West Indies during the launch of the 'Voices for Climate Change Project'. - Photo by LeVaughn Flynn

It seemed a chart-topping single was about to be performed when various entertainers gathered to sing the theme song for the 'Voices for Climate Change Project' at the event launch at the University of the West Indies, Mona Visitors' Lodge, on Tuesday night.

The song, titled Global Warning (Climate Change), written by Lloyd Lovindeer, arranged by Grub Cooper and produced by Mikie Bennett, had the small audience singing along and rocking to the beat.

Lovindeer introduced the song with:

"Sea levels are rising globally/we're losing our beaches constantly

Summers are hotter than they use to be

Stronger hurricanes more frequently

Severe flooding, longer droughts

That's what climate change is all about."

The song is part of a public education campaign that involves more than 25 Jamaican artistes. The project is spearheaded by Panos Caribbean and the National Environment Education Committee with partner support from Christian Aid. Other contributors include the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, the United Nations Development Programme and the Meteorological Service of Jamaica.

The artistes were chosen from a wide cross section of the entertainment industry, which includes established recording artistes such as Tony Rebel, Mutabaruka, Lovindeer and Queen Ifrica, and upcoming artistes One Third, Ameek, Omari, among others.

Influence on the public

Executive director of Panos Caribbean, Jan Voordouw, said they decided to carry the artistes on board because of their influence on the public.

"Popular artistes know how to engage Jamaicans and we thought it would be a good idea for the entertainers to become ambassadors for climate change," he said.

Lovindeer echoed the same sentiments.

"We, the artistes, are not experts on climate change, but we are in a special position where people listen to us - young, middle and older ones - so I think we can make the public change the way they treat the environment," Lovindeer said.

The artistes participated in two training workshops and a field trip on climate change to produce a strong package of information designed to educate the public.

The package consists of the theme song, accompanied by a music video, public service announcements and a mini album. The public service announcements, which were done by artistes such as One Third and Tony Rebel, will be aired on the major radio stations.

The participation of the artistes is part of a broader national strategy of the 'Voices for Climate Change Project'. It will include school tours and community sensitisation over an 18-month period, with the songs and the video being circulated in the media.