Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

A Passion for the Planet, a climate oratorio, connects listeners to the climate crisis on an emotional level. After performances, we mobilize emotionally-engaged listeners to take action to reduce their GHG emissions. The Passion premiered in 2019; we are now advocating for further performances across the US and internationally. The next phase is strengthening the post-performance mobilization of listeners ‚ what we call the Surround . At the premiere, the Surround was simply a booklet listing actions listeners could take and organizations they could join. We‚ re now working to make the Surround more robust to better harness the Passion‚ cathartic power.

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Partnerships with local environmental groups are at the heart of the Surround. As we design and test the Surround, we will prioritize alliances with groups focused on BIPOC communities. Our work with performing partners will include highlighting the connections between the exploitative, extractive nature of our fossil fuel economy and systemic racism and other social injustices. 

‚Ä®‚Ä®For performers, the piece is open to musicians of all identities. As we reach out to potential musical partners for future performances, we‚ re prioritizing ensembles with BIPOC-leadership and a preponderance of BIPOC performers. A Passion for the Planet also includes a role for children‚ chorus, which can help forge meaningful alliances with youth-oriented groups. While the bulk of the text is based on scientific prose, the libretto also incorporates texts from several different faith traditions (Native American, Zen Buddhist, and Judeo-Christian).

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