A small Siberian town north of the Arctic Circle reached 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday, a figure that—if verified—would be the highest temperature reading in the region since record-keeping began in 1885.

"This scares me, I have to say," environmentalist and 350.org co-founder Bill McKibben tweeted in response to news of the record-breaking reading in Verkhoyansk, where the average high temperature in June is 68°F.

The global Blue Tapes roster has combined to make a 24-min piece of music figuratively depicting 24 hours on our planet. All proceeds go to the charities INQUEST and 350.org

Today Bandcamp are also donating their share of sales to NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

Listen and download here: https://bluetapes.bandcamp.com/album/vol-4-earthtone

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Some background:

It has been said that the frequency produced by the Earth’s revolutions is 136.102 Hz, or C#.

It has further been suggested that this tone corresponds to the meditative ‘Om’ sound, or even the ‘Amen’ of the Christian tradition.

At Blue Tapes, we have absolutely no idea whether any of this is true. But it’s a nice story, and a nice way to frame a dialogue between musicians from across the world, reacting with horror and sadness to recent events.

Earthtone is a 24-minute collaborative piece in C# by the Blue Tapes roster that has been structured to figuratively depict 24 hours on the piece of rock hurtling through space that we all call home.

Although it was completed during lockdown, we actually began recording the piece back in November 2019. Then, it felt important to make a collective statement about life on our rock, emphasising our similarities over our differences in the face of mounting division, inequality, nationalism, and the rejection of science and sanity by our leaders.

Then 2020 happened. Breathtaking environmental destruction, global pandemic, civilian uprisings against oppressive governments and institutionally racist law enforcement.

Life for all of us changed a lot during the time it took to make this poem about Earth. No piece of music can salve the injustices and pain felt by so many people right now. This collaboration – dreamed into life by musicians from Brazil to Japan and all kinds of places inbetween – is just a useless, beautiful reminder that we are all one species, one organism.

In case you did not know, I own a shop called Upcycleability.

Upcycleability.com

In my new shop, I am using carbon offsets to offset the emissions of every order that is shipped. Plus I am giving 5% of all of my proceeds to environmental organizations and activism that makes a difference.

I hve set my sites on 350.org. This is a good way for me to make my upcycled and sustainable items and supplies, while also helping other charities and organizations in the process.

Do not purchase anything just for the sake of purchasing it, but if you need a soap saver, or would like to buy some of my scrap fabrics, for your own eco friendly projects, I have you covered! 

We remember these Grannies who have passed on.

Top photo:  Kate Forrest was a Public Health professional and advocate for women’s abortion rights who worked for Planned Parenthood. She was very concerned about the fate of our planet due to climate chaos and attended every environmental action we sang at. 

Bottom photo: Marian Bush was a learning disabilities specialist who worked with children in the Santa Clara School District. She was written up in a fascinating story about her life in the San Francisco Chronicle in 2008 that included this part of her story:

“..she remembers watching the sky turn to fire just outside Albuquerque in July 1945.

She had just graduated from college and was working as an air traffic controller at Kirkland Air Force Base. Moments before the explosion she gave orders to a fleet of World War II B-29 bombers to take to the sky.

‘I was terrified because I thought I had given a wrong command and the bombers had crashed in the air,’ she said.

Here’s a taste of what you can expect over the weekend, from all over the world. You won’t want to miss this.