Climate Choir movement: Using melody for protests

The image shows two people at what appears to be an environmental protest. A young woman with glasses and long hair wearing a dark jacket stands next to an older man in formal attire including a black hat, suit, and red tie. Behind them is a white banner with partial text visible including — Jo Flanagan co-founded the Climate Choir Movement in Bristol

A woman who started a climate choir has said they are trying to change people's "hearts and minds" about the climate crisis through singing rather than shouting.

Jo Flanagan, 61, from Bristol founded the Climate Choir Movement in January 2023, which has expanded to include 12 choirs across the UK with over 700 members. The choirs aim to disrupt events by turning up uninvited to sing climate protest messages.

Flanagan said the movement had "hit a nerve" with people who wanted to protest but didn't want to get arrested. She was inspired after watching Americans sing alternative lyrics to "God Bless America" at a conference, noting "they walked out singing in harmony with such dignity that I thought 'that is the way to do it'."

The movement holds six large-scale protest actions annually. On 7 March, more than 150 singers protested the government's Rosebank oil field decision at the Palace of Westminster, performing a reworked Hallelujah Chorus in St Stephen's Hall.

Flanagan explained: "There are a lot of people who think there is something not quite right with nature... Not everyone wants to be a climate activist and I get that, some environmental activism can be quite alienating."

A large crowd of protesters gathers on the steps of a classical stone building with columns. They hold various banners including — The group says it often stages singing protests in London

Their Westminster action drew official response. A UK Parliament spokesperson confirmed that while the group had accessed legitimately, "this activity was in contravention of the House's rules on access. The individuals were asked to leave and immediately did so."

Member Jean Pollard, 69, joined because she likes singing but also wants to express climate concerns: "I have been very concerned about the situation, and angry and disappointed with the government." She said she was singing for her grandchildren's future.

Duncan Appleby, who established a Guildford choir, said the "contradiction" between beautiful singing and protest words made the message more powerful: "It is so powerful, it's this art that we are bringing into these spaces."

Flanagan concluded: "There is something about singing that can reach people in a way that if you're just shouting it doesn't have the same impact."

A large group of people gathered in a community hall with wooden floors and red curtains. Many wear winter coats and are arranged in a circle formation around the room's perimeter. Some sit on chairs while others stand, appearing to be participating in a group rehearsal session. — The group rehearses together in large sessions