In the past two years, the world has become stagnant, trapped in a state of collective trauma, and it’s not only human beings who have been impacted. All living creatures, including the planet itself, have been exposed to a myriad of calamities, most resulting from the Earth’s natural processes. Some, however, have been caused explicitly by humankind destroying earth’s natural defenses, like the ozone layer. In that light, it seems only logical that if humankind has played a part in the earth’s demise, then surely the responsibility for finding solutions lies with humankind as well.
Raising Awareness
Since their debut in 2013, BTS has been fighting in their own ways for social justice on a number of societal issues, such as oppressive education systems, violence against children, high youth unemployment, poverty, and racism. Mental health is another phenomenon on the rise for people (young and old) worldwide, and the lingering pandemic has caused millions to become alienated and isolated from their nearest and dearest. With BTS’ growing presence and popularity as artists over the years, the stage has become their platform for raising awareness and their music the vehicle for disseminating messages of hope and resilience.
It should be known now that BTS does these things, not because of the publicity, but because these issues matter to them as young Korean men. As such, they know the pressures placed upon youth today. When they first started out, their CEO Bang Si-hyuk made sure to emphasize the importance of speaking their own stories into their music. They may not be experts in climate change or environmental sustainability, but they know what it means to be concerned for their futures and to live in a eurocentric world that continues to marginalize their existence and situate them as the ‘other.’
It’s not uncommon for celebrities to champion meaningful causes. For example, world-renowned actress Angelina Jolie has represented the United Nations on a number of humanitarian projects since she first took on this role in 2001. Likewise, many musicians have tried to make meaningful contributions by utilizing their popularity as a platform to advocate change. Artists such as Michael Jackson and Bob Geldoff come to mind, rallying together people from across the globe, to combat famine and poverty.
Change Agents
In 2021, a US-based event titled “Artists and scientists together on climate solutions'' opened discussions on how global crises needed a collective and collaborative approach to find solutions. At that time a statement was made “that while scientists and engineers can produce vast amounts of useful data that clearly demonstrate the dramatic changes the Earth’s climate is undergoing, communicating that information effectively is often a challenge for these specialists.” This highlighted the fact that while data contains all the facts and information needed to justify a call to action, data alone is not enough to “change the hearts and minds” of people.
According to Professor Newman from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, one of the most effective ways to change human behavior is through meaningful lived experiences. “In order to generate the compassion and empathy needed to affect behavior positively,” we need to turn to those with the most influence in this area – our storytellers and visionaries; in essence, our artists and musicians. In that regard, it is now recognized that there is a place for scientists and artists to come together, and with artists also come the fans.
Enter BTS!
In the hearts and minds of their fans, BTS is one of the world’s finest storytellers. Fortunately, they are also supported by Bang Si-hyuk, one of the most visionary men in Korea’s music and entertainment industry, perhaps even in the world. Increasingly, fans have seen BTS take a more proactive approach to climate change and environmental issues. When it comes to environmental sustainability BTS is not perfect by any means, as there are still many areas where improvements can be made in their own professional practices. However, the fact that BTS has taken a position on these global issues and is choosing to use their influence to try and make a difference, speaks volumes about who they are as human beings.
In 2019, BTS partnered with Formula E to highlight the seriousness of the climate crisis with a special focus on air pollution. 2020 saw BTS join with Hyundai Motors to promote a “sustainable future through hydrogen energy.” They’ve made three appearances now at the United Nations General Assembly. In 2018 they promoted the “Love Yourself” campaign, in 2020 their appearance was a passionate reminder not to lose hope in the midst of the world’s pandemic, and last year they introduced the world to the “Welcome generation” – a generation of youth intent on doing their part to combat climate change.
The notion that art and music can be catalysts for reducing climate change and achieving environmental sustainability might seem like a new concept to some, but in reality, this relationship has existed since long ago. With BTS’ strong social media presence, personal and professional convictions to provide a better future for the youth of today and tomorrow, and a fanbase as loyal and as far-reaching as ARMY, anything is possible. Regrettably, the iconic BigHit introduction might no longer grace our screens, but the philosophical underpinnings of “Music and Artist for Healing” still live on in BTS.
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Written by Shelley
Edited by Mheer
Checked by Clare