Bad Bunny Uses Music to Teach Environmental Justice

The global superstar's performances and activism highlight climate impacts on marginalized communities.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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As a recording artist, Bad Bunny is using his platform to educate audiences about environmental justice and the disproportionate impacts of climate change on marginalized communities. Born in Puerto Rico, the Grammy-winning artist has incorporated commentary on social and political issues into his music, including the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria and the ongoing power grid issues on the island. His music video for "El Apagón" features an 18-minute documentary on gentrification and the persistence of colonialism in Puerto Rico. Experts say Bad Bunny's work can inspire teachers, students, and environmental leaders to develop their own curricula and community-based projects addressing environmental racism.

Why it matters

Climate change disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, so addressing the climate crisis requires also teaching about equity, race, and justice. Bad Bunny's work highlights these connections, using his global platform to raise awareness about environmental injustices faced by Puerto Ricans and other communities of color.

The details

Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, was born in Puerto Rico and has held concert residencies there, as well as in Los Angeles, Miami, and San Juan - all areas facing severe climate change impacts. He frequently incorporates commentary about social and political issues into his music, and his music video for "El Apagón" features an 18-minute documentary on gentrification and the persistence of colonialism in Puerto Rico. The video's title refers to the rolling blackouts that occurred in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria in 2017, which resulted in the largest blackout in US history. Even without natural disasters, Puerto Ricans lose about 27 hours of power per year, disrupting access to clean water and air conditioning and causing respiratory health issues, especially for children.

  • Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico's power grid in 2017.
  • A 6.4-magnitude earthquake caused blackouts in Puerto Rico in 2020.
  • Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico in 2022, leading to more blackouts.
  • Another major blackout occurred in Puerto Rico in 2025.

The players

Bad Bunny

A Grammy-winning recording artist who was born in Puerto Rico and has used his global platform to highlight environmental justice issues and the disproportionate impacts of climate change on marginalized communities.

Bianca Graulau

An investigative journalist featured in Bad Bunny's "El Apagón" music video, which provides evidence of gentrification and the persistence of colonialism in Puerto Rico.

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What they’re saying

“As a recording artist, the world is his classroom, and his performances function as public pedagogy.”

— Kimi Waite, Author and professor (commondreams.org)

“Bad Bunny's music video, El Apagón, embeds an 18-minute documentary featuring investigative journalist Bianca Graulau and provides evidence of unparalleled gentrification driven by outsiders, the widespread displacement of families with decades of roots in their lost communities, and the purposeful and profound persistence of colonialism.”

— Kimi Waite, Author and professor (commondreams.org)

What’s next

Teachers, students, and environmental leaders are encouraged to develop their own curricula, projects, and investigations addressing environmental racism and justice, inspired by Bad Bunny's work.

The takeaway

Bad Bunny is using his global platform as a recording artist to raise awareness about environmental injustices faced by marginalized communities, particularly in his native Puerto Rico. His work can serve as a model for educators and activists to engage their communities in addressing the disproportionate impacts of climate change.