“Music is more than entertainment,” he says. “It connects to hearts and minds. If we want a safe, liveable future, we need every sector to reduce its impact – and the arts are no exception.”

Green Music Australia, the national charity led by Berish as CEO, exists to harness the cultural power of music to drive climate action. The organisation works alongside artists, venues, festivals and music businesses to reduce their environmental impact by cutting emissions, reducing waste and shifting industry practices. At the same time, it empowers artists to use their platforms to inspire broader change.

It’s an approach that sets Green Music apart. “We don’t just work on the typical sustainability solutions,” Berish explains. “We also focus on creating cultural change. Music reaches people in ways that facts and policies can’t. It brings people together, builds community and inspires. By working with musicians, we can help the sector decarbonise while also shifting the hearts and minds of music fans across the country.”

This year, Green Music Australia is participating in AusArt Day, the national giving initiative that celebrates and supports the arts sector. For Berish, it’s a chance to reach new audiences who understand the power of creativity.

“AusArts Day is a chance for Green Music to step onto a bigger stage and connect with people who care deeply about the arts and want to see them thrive in a climate-safe future,” he says. “As a small charity, we rely heavily on grants and project funding. Participating in AusArts Day is part of a deliberate shift to highlight our impact on new donors and build a stronger, more resilient organisation.”

The timing couldn’t be more critical. Donations made through AusArt Day will be matched, doubling their impact. Sony Music Australia has just confirmed it will match donations for the fundraiser up to $5,000, further amplifying the difference supporters can make.

For Green Music, those funds will help deliver free resources, advice and training directly to the music community and artists. “We have a lot of ambition to host more events and activities which connect artists, music workers and audiences together with climate action,” Berish says. “And because our donations on AusArt Day will be matched, supporters have twice the impact in powering that change.”

But Berish’s vision extends beyond his own organisation. He sees AusArt Day as a way to fundamentally shift how Australians think about climate action.

“Part of the challenge in tackling climate change is making people feel connected to the solutions,” he explains. “We have many of the technical solutions to address climate change, but we need a cultural shift that inspires change across individuals, communities and industries.”

That’s where music comes in. “We want to link the love people already have for music and the arts with the urgent need to protect our planet,” Berish says. “When people see that their favourite artists, music festivals and venues are stepping up, it reframes climate action as something exciting, creative and deeply human – not just a scientific or political issue.”

His hope? “That AusArt Day helps more Australians recognise the role culture can play in solving the environmental crisis and inspires them to back that work.”

Making real change in the music industry requires serious collaboration. Berish and his team work with artists on creative campaigns, educate festivals on how to change their waste and energy systems, and partner with venues to get certified for their sustainability credentials.

“Behind the scenes, making change happen takes a lot of collaboration,” he says. “To make all of this happen, we need to make sure we are experts in this space, providing clear evidence-led advice as well as inspiring creativity. It takes a lot of research, people power and consultation with the sector.”

The barriers are real. “Cost, capacity and confidence are three big ones,” Berish admits. “Many artists and small organisations want to do better, but they’re stretched thin financially and unsure where to start. Others worry that sustainable choices might be too expensive or complicated.

“But what many don’t realise is that sustainability can often reduce long-term costs and build resilience. Reducing your energy usage not only reduces emissions but also the monthly overheads.”

Green Music’s role is to remove barriers to action. They provide free, sector-specific resources and one-on-one advice. They connect people with suppliers and solutions. They run workshops and programs that build confidence and community around taking action.

Ask Berish what he wishes more Australians understood, and his answer is immediate.

“I wish more people understood how profoundly music can shape the way we think, feel and act,” he says. “Social movements throughout history, from civil rights to marriage equality, have been fuelled by music. That power is desperately needed now.”

The climate crisis, Berish argues, can feel overwhelming. But music has a unique ability to cut through that paralysis. “When artists speak out and when the industry leads by example, they can spark cultural shifts that ripple far beyond the stage.”

And with AusArt Day approaching, they’re hoping more Australians will tune in to that message.