Pathway to Paris: Concert to Fight Climate Change to feature Patti Smith, Joan Baez, Cat Power, Michael Stipe

Pathway to Paris, a climate change initiative focused on turning the Paris Agreement into reality, will partner with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and 350.org for a concert on climate action, to be held at Carnegie Hall in New York City on November 5, 2017.

Pathway to Paris promises to be a night of incredible musical performances and rousing speeches aimed at advancing the important work of fighting climate change while offering innovative solutions.

Set to take place on the eve of COP 23, the United Nations conference on climate change that kicks off in Bonn, Germany, the evening will feature internationally recognized musicians and speakers, including Patti Smith, Joan Baez, Bill McKibben, Dr. Vandana Shiva, Tanya Tagaq, Flea, Talib Kweli, Cat Power, Michael Stipe, Tenzin Choegyal, and Pathway to Paris founders Rebecca Foon and Jesse Paris Smith.

"I'm incredibly honored and excited to be part of this event," said Joan Baez. "Climate change is the issue of our time, and it will take all of us -- musicians, activists, policymakers and business leaders -- to truly make a difference."

Pathway to Paris will also be celebrating the launch of its latest project. The bold new initiative, to be unveiled next month, will encourage the world to go above and beyond the targets of the Paris Agreement.

"This is our moment to move towards a renewable, resilient future as we are running out of time," Rebecca Foon said. "We can achieve this by working together to create resilient cities that are no longer dependent on fossil fuels and create a world we want to live in."

"We believe in the power of music and its ability to heal and unify citizens in a time of crisis. We must make this fight our biggest most ambitious collaboration of all time. The world must work as a team, and the cities of our planet must join together to lead the way," added Jesse Paris Smith.

Since its inception, Pathway to Paris has partnered with UNDP and 350.org, leaders in environmental action. This alliance has created an unstoppable force in the effort to slow climate change by contributing to a multitude of initiatives globally; from benefit farmers in the Sahel to preparing for rising sea-levels and expanding the use of renewable energy.

Founded by Jesse Paris Smith and Rebecca Foon in 2014 after the People's Climate March in New York City, Pathway to Paris is an initiative that, in partnership with the United Nations Development Program and 350.org, brings together musicians, artists, activists, climate change experts, academics, politicians, and innovators, to participate in a series of events and dialogues to help turn the Paris Agreement into action through innovative solutions.

"Pathway to Paris is more than a name, it's an ideal," said Foon. "Cities have a remarkable and necessary part to play in moving us towards achieving, and possibly even surpassing, the goals of the Paris Agreement."

Added Smith, "1000 Cities is built on the premise that if 1000 cities come together and commit to becoming 100 percent renewable and transition off fossil fuels by 2040, we can turn the Paris Agreement into action. Pathway to Paris is committed to supporting cities to get there."

The UN Development Programme works in nearly 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. A leader in climate action, UNDP maintains a portfolio of nearly $3 billion climate initiatives, ranging from renewable energy to community-level climate adaptation to the protection of forests.

350.org is building a global grassroots movement to solve the climate crisis. They use online campaigns, grassroots organizing, and mass public actions to oppose new coal, oil and gas projects, take money out of the companies that are heating up the planet and build 100% clean energy solutions that work for all. 350's network extends to 188 countries. They believe in a safe climate and a better future -- a just, prosperous, and equitable world built with the power of ordinary people.