One of Peru's most popular musicians has released an optimistic climate change anthem as the title track of his newest album Amazonas (scroll down to watch video).
While Pedro Suarez-Vertiz has produced numerous hits, he is also well known for writing socially conscious songs. For these reasons, he is a beloved musician and celebrity in Peru. He has also gained an international audience because of songs like "Cuando Piensas en Volver" (When You Think of Returning), an anthem for expatriates who miss their countries.
Perhaps his latest cause is not that surprising. Peru is considered to be one of most vulnerable countries in the world with regard to the effects of climate change. NBC News recently reported a frightening estimate: by 2022 most of Peru's Andean glaciers will have melted. The glaciers currently produce 80% of the freshwater in Peru and also help produce 80% of the country's electricity through hydroelectric power. Needless to say, the stakes are high.
Pedro has released a video for "Amazonas" that features imagery from across the Amazon and Andes regions. It makes a persuasive case for action. I will translate the lyrics below the video. You can buy Pedro Suarez-Vertiz's music on Amazon.com and also on iTunes.
Click here to visit his website.
Lyrics to "Amazonas" (translated from spanish):
I'm not going to talk about dances
or about the pain of love
or what people always
talk about in a song
I'm going to talk about the pollution
That's made the climate
Enter into confusion
It's not an illusion
The whole Earth is changing
It will be better
That we get ready
That beautiful peak
That feeds the river
Lost its white cap
The snow dryed up
We should prepare ourselves
and can help
those who would suffer
hunger and sickness
The pollution
The pollution is a poison
The atmosphere is altered
And the valleys are drying up
And now the heat
Via the Greenhouse Effect
The water is evaporating
I never imagined it
I didn't think it would happen
Don't say that it's not true and that you shouldn't
worry
The water is beginning to go
and shouldn't escape
How can we stop it
I only sing I don't know
But someone should know
Yes, the experts have faith
We should have care
Polluting never is good
Is it too late?
It's never too late to learn
It's not an illusion
We should be conscious
The whole Earth is changing
And water, water is important
It will be better
If we're already warned
That we need to be preparing
I never imagined it
I didn't think it would happen
Don't say that it's not true and that you shouldn't
worry
The water is beginning to go
and shouldn't escape