The Current

Great Music Lives Here ®
Listener-Supported Music
Donate Now
The Morning Show - With Jill Riley

Coffee Break: Earth Day

A female robin is busy building her nest by Lake Bemidji on Earth Day in Bemidji, Minn., April 22, 2017.
A female robin is busy building her nest by Lake Bemidji on Earth Day in Bemidji, Minn., April 22, 2017.Monika Lawrence for MPR News

by Jill Riley

April 22, 2024

Monday, April 22, is Earth Day, a day to emphasize the need for environmental protection and to promote ways to keep the Earth healthy and our planet livable. Earth Day raises awareness for so many important issues facing all of us on Earth: climate protection, ethically sourced clothing, sustainable foodways, biodegradable or recyclable packaging, safe drinking water, and an end to war.

In the face of so many challenges, music can provide inspiration and motivation. There are songs that address the issues head-on in lyrics, and there are artists who are simply known for their strong commitment to environmental causes.

So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what environmentally conscious songs and/or artists would you like to hear?


Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played
Duran Duran – Planet Earth
Joni Mitchell – Big Yellow Taxi
Coldplay – Paradise
John Prine – Paradise
Talking Heads – (Nothing But) Flowers
Marvin Gaye – Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
Radiohead – Fake Plastic Trees
Big Thief – Simulation Swarm (bonus)