The celebs are backing a petition that calls on leaders to break systemic barriers, address extreme poverty, and take climate action.

Several high-profile musicians and celebrities have signed an open letter calling on world leaders to take action on issues of extreme poverty and climate change.

They have partnered with International advocacy organization Global Citizen, which launched the letter at their inaugural “thought leadership summit”, Global Citizen NOW on 22 May in New York City.

Notable among them include Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas, Shawn Mendes, Nile Rodgers, Coldplay, Charlie Puth, and Adam Lambert.

Other public figures to sign the letter are 5 Seconds Of Summer, Alessia Cara, Billy Porter, Chloe x Halle, Cyndi Lauper, Duran Duran, Femi Kuti, Hugh Jackman, Måneskin and Ricky Martin.

Placing pressure on world influencers

 The letter is part of Global Citizen’s End Extreme Poverty Now campaign.

It calls on world leaders to make immediate, meaningful change on points such as “breaking systemic barriers that keep people in poverty,” taking climate action now, and “empowering young women and girls across the world.”

The lengthy note also urges billionaires, industry magnates, leaders of wealthy countries, and other highly influential people “to step up by fully committing the funding necessary to tackle the challenges we face”.

“We need to improve opportunities for girls around the world, address the systemic barriers that keep people in poverty, and halt the climate crisis,” the letter reads.

“But we can only succeed at addressing these issues by eliminating the barriers that have prevented us to end extreme poverty and committing to financing levels that will allow for real sustainable progress and not just a temporary fix.”

It adds: “The poorest people on our planet continue to suffer.

 “They lack access to food, health care, and education. They deal with the realities of climate change – unending drought in some places, flooding, and rising sea levels in others. They are unable to put food on the table, unable to access basic medicines and health care, unable to access financing or equity, and therefore unable to offer their children a better future.”

Billie Eilish advocacy

20-year-old Billie Eilish is a vegan and has cited both animal welfare and climate change as reasons for this lifestyle choice. She also regularly uses her platform to raise awareness about these issues.

Her link to the  new initiative follows news of her hosting a climate-focused event called “Overheated” in London this summer.

Starting on 10 June, the six- day event  will have sessions on green practices in the music industry, the benefits of a plant-based diet, the methods of sustainable fashion, and the actions taken to mitigate climate change.

Billie and her Finneas will host the event and have an impressive line-up of  climate activists, musicians, and designers, who will discuss the climate crisis and their work to make a difference.

Ellie Goulding  will be the keynote speaker at the event.

Alongside Eilish, Overheated’s founders include charity Support + Feed launched by the singer’s mother Maggie Baird amid the pandemic to combat food insecurity and REVERB- a nonprofit dedicated to reducing the music industry’s impact on the planet.

Overheated will run at the O2 Arena in London on 10-12, 16, 25, and 26 June. Tickets are on sale now.

Click here  to sign the End Extreme Poverty NOW open letter.

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