• In Canada and many other parts of the world, we've relied on policymakers and scientists to be the ones communicating around climate, and they failed because they've only appealed to people's heads and haven't appealed to their hearts and souls. I think the big conversation coming out of COP 28 - and that you but I'm sure people at SCALE and others, we've known this for a long time, but it's kind of being recognized now - is that we need culture at the table. We need art and artists. We need to be connecting to all parts of people and not just showing numbers because that hasn't worked, and it's not working. And so I actually feel hopeful that art and culture being at the table will help with that whole overhaul and systems level transformation.

Note: I’m using Whisper Transcribe, an artificial intelligence podcasting tool, for the first time with this episode. It helped me generate quotes, create chapters (see below), generate transcriptions (see Transcripts section), produce social media postings (notice the new tone and hashtags) and write up the episode notes (notice more fluid language), however I’m a little skeptical about AI’s ability to get it all right (verification required) but it’s pretty good and saves me time and delivers a better product. However I will continue to write and record my very human introduction at the top of each episode like this… 

Sometimes you just have to be in the right place at the right time. I had just completed my conversation with Tanya Kalmanovitch (see e189 tanya kalmanovitch - mobilizing the power of the arts) at No. 9 gardens near Kingston, Ontario (see e68  for more on no. 9 gardens) when I sat down at a picnic table with a group of arts and climate activists at a meeting of the Centre for Sustainable Practices the Art (CSPA) and right in front of me was Kim Fry. The same Kim Fry who co-founded and runs Music Declares Emergency Canada and is a hero of mine. I know Kim by reputation, but we had not yet met in person, so, on the spot, I asked Kim to record a conscient conversation with me about her life’s work in music and environmental awareness. 

Kim now lives by the Atlantic ocean which is in Kjipuktuk, Mi'kma'ki territory, also known as Halifax, Nova Scotia. Before her recent move Eastward, she lived in Tkaronto for 27 years where she was an elementary school teacher, union activist, climate justice activist, environmental campaigner, storyteller and music manager. With the family move to K’jipuktuk, Kim decided to return to the world of environmental activism and music where she organized, among other things, the first ever Canadian Music Climate Summit. 

You’ll hear that Kim talk about the power of music in the climate emergency :

• We need systems change, and so we need the whole way that the music industry operates to really rethink itself and sometimes some people might say that's greenwashing, because we're still talking about these big, huge multinational corporations when it comes to the music industry but I think there are folks who navigate that space and do it incredibly well. 

You’ll also hear about Kim’s efforts to highlight the importance of creating safe spaces for emotional engagement through music and community such as the sustainability committee at the Juno Awards, which is dedicated to reducing the industry’s environmental footprint by promoting eco-friendly practices like public transit and plant-based catering.

A particularly inspiring anecdote for me was about Kim’s daughter Brighid Fry known under her artist name Housewife former Moscow Apartment) Bridghid ensured that a climate clause was included in her record deal. 

This type of action exemplifies the shift from incremental changes to systemic reform, advocating for the integration of culture and art into climate conversations and the shift from appealing from one’s heads to one’s hearts and souls.

Oh, and when she has free time, Kim is working on a novel about the climate emergency. I look forward to that and I think you’ll enjoy our unscheduled but long overdue conversation. 

Kim recommended the following publications and events:

• Birchbark House series by Louise Erdrich
• Hadestown by Anais Mitchell : a musical about climate change
• Neil Young’s Love Earth tour

Note: I have inserted 5 seconds of silence here and there during our conversation as interludes.

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Episode Chapters (AI generated)

Introduction
In this section, Kim Fry introduces herself and shares her background as a climate activist, highlighting her journey from organizing student walkouts in the early '90s to her current work in music and climate activism.

The Role of Music in Climate Activism
Kim discusses the significant role that music and the arts play in climate activism, emphasizing how they can unite people and inspire political change through emotional connection.

Launching Music Declares Emergency
The conversation shifts to the founding of the Canadian chapter of Music Declares Emergency, detailing the collaborative efforts that led to its creation and the impact of the climate strikes in 2019.

Challenges for Musicians in the Climate Crisis
Kim addresses the reluctance of musicians to engage in climate discussions due to the carbon-intensive nature of touring, and the need for systemic change within the music industry.

Navigating Grief and Hope Through Music
This chapter explores how music can help individuals process grief and despair related to the climate crisis, while also fostering a sense of hope and community.

The Power of Collective Singing
Kim shares her personal experiences with singing and its transformative power, highlighting how collective music-making can ground individuals and strengthen community bonds.

Engaging the Next Generation
The discussion turns to the political engagement of Gen Z and the need for hopeful narratives that inspire action rather than despair, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in climate discourse.

Creating Space for Connection and Gratitude
Kim emphasizes the importance of cultivating gratitude and deep connections to nature as foundational elements for addressing climate challenges and fostering resilience.

Innovative Initiatives at the Junos
The conversation highlights the successful sustainability initiatives implemented at the Junos, showcasing how the music industry can take concrete steps towards climate action.

The Need for Systemic Change
Kim discusses the necessity of systemic change in addressing the climate crisis, advocating for a collaborative approach that integrates art and culture into climate solutions.

Youth Empowerment and Climate Action

The chapter concludes with a reflection on the empowerment of youth in climate activism, showcasing how the next generation is driving important conversations around sustainability and systemic change.

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END NOTES FOR ALL EPISODES

Hey conscient listeners, 

I’ve been producing the conscient podcast as a learning and unlearning journey since May 2020 on un-ceded Anishinaabe Algonquin territory (Ottawa). 

It’s my way to give back.

In parallel with the production of the conscient podcast and its francophone counterpart, balado conscient, I I publish free ‘a calm presence' Substack see https://acalmpresence.substack.com.

Your feedback is always welcome at [email protected] and/or on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Threads, BlueSky, Mastodon, Tik Tok, YouTube and Substack.

Share what you like, etc

I am grateful and accountable to the earth and the human labour that provided me with the privilege of producing this podcast, including the toxic materials and extractive processes behind the computers, recorders, transportation systems and infrastructure that made this production possible. 

Claude Schryer

Latest update on July 8, 2025