When someone says the words “climate change,” you might think of the devastating global effects, the politics behind action or inaction, or even personal impacts on your life from a changing environment. It is extremely unlikely that your first thought was about rap. Yet, the hyper-specific niche of climate rapping is what Baba Brinkman, performer and activist, has chosen to inhabit, and for a very specific reason: the need to connect to the masses. Today, our predominant issue may not be understanding the science of climate change, but in convincing people that action actually needs to be taken imminently. Throughlines of climate denialism and climate apathy still permeate our society and inaction is the norm, something Brinkman became astutely aware of. Thus, in an attempt to address this “failure to move the crowd,” Brinkman began a career in climate rap, which has placed him onto the world stage, most recently as an attendee at COP27. Through work by the UW Graduate School Office of Public Lectures and the UW Program on Climate Change who led the nomination process for this Walker-Ames Lecture, a community of roughly 400 experienced this unique communication firsthand on 11/16 and moving the crowd (figuratively and literally) was certainly not an issue for Brinkman on this occasion.

After being introduced by fellow COP27 attendee, UW Professor and PCC Governing Board Member Dr. Kristie Ebi, Brinkman took the stage and quickly launched into his repertoire of raps. In a fast-paced breakdown of the recent IPCC report, Brinkman did his best to “speak to consciousness, not brains,” and engender climate action using science in a wholly unique communicative form. High-energy raps continued as Brinkman satirized the Catholic Church, commented on people’s (including his own) lack of desire to reduce consumption for climate, and the benefits and issues involved with renewable energy and electrification. The crowd was clapping to the beat, singing along, and, of course, applauding when appropriate. Brinkman presented several never-before-heard songs exclusively to the UW audience, including “Targeted Pressure,” a carbon-removal anthem in collaboration with Nori, the carbon-removal collaboration company, “Climate Hero,” a song inspired by discussions with Dr. Kristie Ebi about how the health impacts of climate mitigation is a course of action with no downsides, and a piece by fellow content creator and educational rapper Nathanology on the merits of photosynthesis-mediated ocean carbon removal, an idea spearheaded by carbon-removal company Banyu Carbon led by UW Professor and former PCC Executive Board Member Dr. Alex Gagnon and UW Professor Dr. Julian Sachs. These new songs, and the pieces Brinkman shared from other artists in the climate rap movement were a refreshing and inspiring section of the show, highlighting the growing potential of this medium in communicating complex climate topics at all levels, from delegates at COP27 to the youth who will define the climate movement of the future.

Between songs, Brinkman broke down topics in an especially interactive way. After presenting his idea for a global, proportional carbon tax to hold people accountable for their carbon footprints in an economically-conscious method, Brinkman fielded questions and criticisms from the audience, and this proposal sparked more discussion than any other the entire night. As the show neared a conclusion, he responded to questions, both about his topics (are economic climate solutions really an effective and equitable source of action? – it depends how well systems acknowledging inequity can be implemented), his music videos (where does he get the beat and video clips for his raps? – beats are original, video clips are included via “fair use” principles), and his actions (why is he drinking from a plastic water bottle – “I’m a hypocrite … and this is what UW provided me when I entered” [paraphrased]). For the finale of the show, Brinkman incorporated all of the unique audience questions and his answers into a freestyle rap, showcasing his rapping for a final time before leaving to a standing ovation.

Brinkman’s method of climate communication through rap has garnered him international acclaim, not just for his skill and production, but as a symbol of a new movement in climate action. Learning about climate change and inspiring action does not have to be restricted to scientific articles and UN reports, although they can certainly be built off of those things. However, there are generations inspired artists and youths with the ability to create innovative and engaging methods of empowerment and progress using climate science as a foundation, and although Baba Brinkman is one of the most prominent and unique, he will surely not be the last.

Written by Isaac Olson, PCC Undergraduate Assistant