Environmentalism
Young has been concerned about environmental issues for many years and in the 1980s co-founded the rainforest conservation organization, Earth Love Fund, with colleagues Vic Coppersmith-Heaven and Nick Glennie-Smith. He was recipient of the United Nations Global 500 Award for outstanding practical achievements in the protection and improvement of the environment for his work as co-founder and trustee of the Earth Love Fund, which supported and initiated over 200 community based projects in Brazil, Africa, Asia and Australia. in 2005 he founded Artists Project Earth -APE- which raises awareness and funds for climate change projects and for natural disaster relief. Since 2006 APE has funded and supported over 250 projects around the world.
He co-produced the Hollywood Genesis Award winning film Spirit of the Forest, which was a BBC-TV documentary about the destruction of the Amazon Rainforest.
He co-produced the album Earthrise, which was no.1 in the UK and released worldwide featuring U2, Paul McCartney, Sting, Pink Floyd, Elton John, Paul Simon, R.E.M., Peter Gabriel, Queen, Seal and many others for ELF's conservation projects for the world's rainforests. He wrote and co-produced the song "Spirit of the Forest," which was a benefit record released by Richard Branson's Virgin Records and featured over 50 major international artists including Joni Mitchell, Ringo Starr, Lenny Kravitz, LL Cool J, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, The Ramones, Iggy Pop, Debbie Harry, Gilberto Gil, Jungle Brothers, Afrika Bambaataa and many others. He wrote and co-produced and performed on album Transmissions by Gentlemen Without Weapons on A&M Records. The band used only digital samples of nature for the music. A unique album, with a video produced by Pink Floyd's art director Storm Thorgeson, who also designed the album cover. He co-produced ELF's album Earthrise II, which featured top international names including Elton John, U2, The Cranberries, Shane MacGowan, R.E.M., Tears for Fears, Genesis, Eurythmics, Stereo MCs, Meat Loaf and more. He produced the album Planet Electrica in aid and relief of Hurricane Mitch. The album featured the top names in dance music, including The Chemical Brothers, Massive Attack, Fatboy Slim, Underworld, Roni Size and Reprazent, and many others.
Most recently he produced the album Rhythms del Mundo-Cuba with musicians from Buena Vista Social Club and featured Coldplay, Radiohead, U2, Arctic Monkeys, Sting, Franz Ferdinand, Kaiser Chiefs, Dido Ibrahim Ferrer, Omara Portuondo and other top international artists. This was followed up by the 2nd album Rhythms Del Mundo - Classics featuring, The Killers, Amy Winehouse, The Rolling Stones, Jack Johnson and many others. Followed up by Rhythms Del Mundo Revival featuring: Bob Dylan, Green Day, Coldplay, Dizzee Rascal, The proceeds from the album benefits the environmental nonprofit organization Artists Project Earth -APE_, which raises awareness and funds for climate change projects and for natural disaster relief efforts.
Currently he resides in the UK
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