Named as one of the ‘100 most influential people in the world,’ singer/songwriter Hozier is taking a step towards sustainability through his music. [1] Through the ‘Sounds Right’ global initiative, Hozier is donating 50% of the royalty proceeds from his new single, ‘Like Real People Do,’ as a means of protecting our planet and funding conservation efforts. [2]
Figure 1: Hozier performing at the Unreal Earth Tour June 2025.
The ‘Sounds Right’ Initiative
The ‘Sounds Right’ initiative is a ‘groundbreaking music movement, recognising the intrinsic value of nature,’ states Melissa Fleming, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications. [3] Launched by the Museum for the United Nations – UN Live, ‘Sounds Right’ aims to ‘give back to the planet that sustains us all.’ [4] The initiative records nature sounds, such as rain, rivers and animals, and labels this as an ‘artistic construct,’ which is then placed as a feature on a song, e.g., Hozier’s song will be named as ‘Like Real People Do feat. NATURE.’ As a result, the ‘Sounds Right’ initiative allows for creative partnerships to ‘generate royalties for biodiversity conservation and restoration projects.’ [5] The project had over 65 million streams in the first six months of launching, allowing music to have a real-world impact on the planets sustainability. [6]
Other Artist Example
In celebration of Earth Day 2025, over thirty artists released music feat. NATURE, in collaboration with the ‘Sounds Right’ initiative. It is stated that this project ‘engaged millions of listeners, driving both awareness and action.’ [7]
It seems that Hozier has set a precedent of engaging the public about the value of nature, with Ellie Goulding, Tom walker and David Bowie collaborations with ‘Sounds Right’ set to take the organisation into the mainstream.
Projects
‘Sounds Right’ highlights projects which they aim to prioritise on their website, having identified ‘key biodiversity areas in Madagascar, India and the Atlantic Forest.’ [8] Additionally, ‘Sounds Right’ aims to award $100,000 spanning the next two years to the Awá Pialapí Pueblo Indigenous Reserve, to promote scientific tourism and biocultural heritage. [9]
‘Sounds Right’ has credited itself as an ambitious and successful organisation, donating $225,000 at the beginning of 2025 to support conservation efforts in Columbia. [10]
Conclusion
All in, the ‘Sounds Right’ initiative has a primary aim – to encourage millions of music fans to recognise the value of nature and to care about the importance of protecting the rich biodiverse lands of our planet. [Sounds Right] ‘is groundbreaking, uniting people around the world in a shared commitment,’ Melissa Flemming believes; and we have Hozier to thank for spearheading this new wave of sustainable music.
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References
[1] Time 100 2025. ‘The Most Influential People of 2025.’ https://time.com/collections/100-most-influential-people-2025/7273833/ed-sheeran/. [Accessed 12th September 2025.]
[2] Happy Eco News. ‘Hozier’s Eco Donation Turns Music into a Tool for Nature Conservation.’ https://happyeconews.com/hoziers-eco-donation/. [Accessed 12th September 2025.]
[3] Sounds Right. https://www.soundsright.earth/. [Accessed 12th September 2025.]
[4] Sony Music. ‘Hozier collaborates with Nature on Remix of ‘Like Real People Do.’ https://www.sonymusic.com/legacy/hozier-collaborates-with-nature-on-like-real-people-do-remix/. [Accessed 12th September 2025.]
[5] Sounds Right. https://www.soundsright.earth/. [Accessed 12th September 2025.]
[6] Museum for the United Nations, U.N. Live. ‘Millions of Fans Listen to Nature and raise Royalties for her Survival.’ https://www.museumfortheunitednations.com/collection/millions-of-fans-listen-to-nature-and-raise-royalties-for-her-survival.
[7] Songlines. ‘Global Artists Join Forces for Earth Day Music Collection.’ https://www.songlines.co.uk/news/global-artists-join-forces-for-earth-day-music-collection. [Accessed 12th September 2025.]
[8] Sounds Right. ‘How and What We Fund.’ https://www.soundsright.earth/. [Accessed 12th September 2025.]
[9] Museum for the United Nations, U.N. Live. ‘Millions of Fans Listen to Nature and raise Royalties for her Survival.’ https://www.museumfortheunitednations.com/collection/millions-of-fans-listen-to-nature-and-raise-royalties-for-her-survival.
[10] Record of the Day. ‘Millions of Fans Listen to Nature and Raise Royalties for her Survival.’ https://www.recordoftheday.com/news-and-press/millions-of-fans-listen-to-nature-and-raise-royalties-for-her-survival. [Accessed 12th September 2025.]
Image accreditation: Hozier (June 2025) from WikimediaCommons.com. Last accessed on 15th September 2025. Available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hozier_performing_at_the_Historic_Crew_Stadium_on_the_Unreal_Earth_Tour.jpg
