Picture of man playing cello under trees on a boardwalk over swamp.

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Planet Possible

Why Yo-Yo Ma thinks culture and music can help protect the planet

The cello virtuoso has been playing Bach concerts on six continents. At every stop, he joins activities to support social justice and environmental causes.

In Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2019, Yo-Yo Ma plays a “Music in the Mangroves” concert, to help scientists and community members drive home the importance of saving threatened mangrove ecosystems.

Photograph by AUSTIN MANN

Published April 15, 2021

14 min read

Join us for National Geographic’s Earth Day Eve 2021 virtual celebration, featuring a performance by Yo-Yo Ma, on Wednesday, April 21, at 8:30pm EDT. Stream the event here or on National Geographic’s YouTube Channel.

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