A wide-ranging number of musicians have joined forces to sign an open letter addressing the climate change “hypocrisy” that has been aimed at them.

The letter comes in support of the Extinction Rebellion protests which have gained significant momentum in recent months and, while spreading the message of change, some leading figures across the music industry have been forced to defend their lifestyle choices amid accusations of hypocrisy.

Singed by over 100 names, including the likes of Thom Yorke, Brian Eno, Bad Seed Warren Ellis, David Byrne, Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja, Jarvis Cocker, Lily Allen and more, the letter begins: “Dear journalists who have called us hypocrites. You’re right,” in a direct answer to the accusations. “We live high carbon lives and the industries that we are part of have huge carbon footprints,” it continued.

“Like you, and everyone else, we are stuck in this fossil-fuel economy and without systemic change, our lifestyles will keep on causing climate and ecological harm. There is, however, a more urgent story that our profiles and platforms can draw attention to. Life on earth is dying. We are living in the midst of the 6th mass extinction.

“There are millions of children, called to action by Greta Thunberg, who are begging us, the people with power and influence, to stand up and fight for their already devastated future. We cannot ignore their call. Even if by answering them we put ourselves in your firing line.

“The stories that you write calling us climate hypocrites will not silence us.

“We invite all people with platforms and profiles to join us and move beyond fear, to use your voices fearlessly to amplify the real story.”