Björk, Vivienne Westwood and Lily Cole have signed an open letter urging world leaders to “agree an ambitious and inspiring international agreement” to combat climate change. The letter has been issued by environmental charity Julie’s Bicycle on behalf of “the creative community” ahead of this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21), which begins in Paris on Monday. David Bowie, Yoko Ono, Emma Thompson and designers Katharine Hamnett and Philip Treacy are among the many other creative leading lights to have signed the letter, which calls for “a comprehensive, binding international framework agreement on greenhouse gas emissions reductions, with mechanisms to assess, review and revise commitments over the long term”.
READ our interview with Bjork about Iceland’s natural landscape and her new album
The 600-word letter cautions that “we are overwhelming the planet’s life support systems” and emphasizes the importance of this year’s UN Climate Change Conference, saying: “The outcomes of COP 21 and the political decisions taken over the next months will determine many of the long-term conditions that will affect us today and for many generations to come.” It concludes with a call for collaboration between the creative community and world leaders. “We understand the gravity of climate change and the historic opportunity represented by COP 21,” the letter states. “We will come together and intensify our efforts, but we need you to give us confidence in a sustainable future, to share our ambition, and recognize our capacity to strengthen your leadership. We Must, We Can, and together We Will act on climate change.”
Read the letter in full on the Julie’s Bicycle website.
Credits
Photography Timothée Lambrecq