Climate Crisis Love Song
Naethan Apollo
Love in the Time of Climate Crisis: A Poetic Exploration
Naethan Apollo's "Climate Crisis Love Song" intertwines the urgency of environmental degradation with the intensity of romantic love. The song opens with vivid imagery of a dying world: gray skies, brown grass, and burning trees. This bleak portrayal of the environment sets the stage for the recurring theme of suffocation, both literal and metaphorical, as the artist repeatedly states, "I can't breathe." This phrase serves a dual purpose, highlighting the physical impact of environmental destruction and the overwhelming effect of love that leaves one breathless.
The lyrics cleverly juxtapose the dire state of the planet with the consuming nature of love. Lines like "My heart burning like propane" and "You're hot like California forests" draw parallels between the heat of passion and the devastating wildfires that plague regions like California. The artist's love is described as a drug, a powerful force that he wishes his beloved would finally embrace. This metaphor extends to a critique of societal neglect, as seen in the line, "But like a solar farm, no one thinks I'm important," suggesting that both his love and environmental efforts are undervalued.
Apollo's lyrics also touch on the future implications of climate change, with references to rising ocean levels and the increasing heat of summers. Despite the grim outlook, there is a call to appreciate the present beauty, such as the stars, and to resist living in fear. The song's repetitive chorus, "I can't breathe," underscores the inescapable reality of both environmental and emotional suffocation. Through this poignant blend of love and environmental consciousness, Apollo crafts a narrative that is both a love letter and a wake-up call, urging listeners to recognize the interconnectedness of their emotions and the world around them.