Jan 19, 2020
World On Fire — music as fuel
Wildfires endure, scorching vast amounts of land, regardless of dependent life. Unfortunately, our accelerating lifestyles often support this ravaging. We’re looking to add a different kind of fuel. One that adds to the harmony of efforts supporting a balanced relationship between the human and natural world, one that sees ourselves as part of our environment with a share of responsibility for its overall wellbeing.
In creating our song ‘World On Fire’, we have decided to move towards the possibilities that we might find at the intersection of music and causes that need attention. Dedicating 50% of all proceeds to the consequences of the ongoing Australian bushfires is one move along the challenging path of more environmentally conscious activity. We hope this song proves to be a piece of the collective puzzle of endurance needed in dealing with the crisis, both for the wildlife and the people of Australia.
The wonderful thing about streaming is that everyone can help generate funds simply by listening to our song: lnk.to/aworldonfire
World On Fire by .mt & Nik Ernst (feat. Anna Yavorskyy)
Music creates momentum; we can choose what for.
Thank you for your ears and the contribution you’re making to our common cause as well as your time in reading the following article.
Our social media accounts (Instagram): @ernst_music @annayavorskyy @mtmoodi
The organisations we’re donating to:
For wildlife we’ve chosen SAVEM; South Australian Veterinary Emergency Management Inc. For humanitarian assistance we’ve chosen the Australian Red Cross (their IG).
Music is always there for us. Whether we choose to drift into its soothing arms alone or enjoy its infinite depth banded together in collective harmony, it welcomes all. It’s the perfect host; an open door to the world. Its liquid character has been a primordial tool in dealing with all existential questions. One moment it can make things seem more vivid and real, whereas in the next it might help us find and formulate questions we all need to be asking. It allows us to create any landscape we desire, and it will always be there for us. Unfortunately, many current physical landscapes are not subject to the same freedom.
Large parts of Australia are currently being ravaged by bushfires. The consequences are terrifying. 28 human lives lost and 6 people still missing, anywhere around 1 billion animal lives impacted, 10 million hectares of land scorched, thousands of homes burned, and families displaced… and the numbers are steadily rising.
It is practically impossible to paint an accurate picture of the full ramifications of these fires. The sheer amount of present uncertainties casts a heavy shroud over how we ought to deal with these situations, both currently and in the future. The lack of clarity is worsened by our inability to make sense of numbers such as 1 billion animals or 10 million hectares of land that ecosystems depend on. It is simply too difficult to relate to such things. The unfortunate phenomenon of desensitisation is all too pervasive in such situations, especially when viewed from across the world.
I assume no one can accurately inform us how much biodiversity is being lost every second due to these fires. The balance of entire ecosystems is at risk. Plant and animal species could go extinct. Others we might not even be aware of and could provide answers to some of our most pressing questions could be lost. We might not understand how disastrous such events really are for life on our inextricably co-dependent planet.
Yes, we must get better at dealing with catastrophe when it happens. There is absolutely no doubt however, that we must change behaviour now, before the next crisis. All this Earths balance demands is for us to tread in a gentler manner. It’s time to wake up. The Australian bushfires are unfortunately amongst a long list of alarms we’ve been snoozing past. But all sleepers must wake up one day, for without waking, there is no sleep. 2019 has seen an array of devastating fires in the Amazon rainforest (ongoing), the Congo Basin in central Africa (ongoing), Siberia, Indonesia and California.
The risk of months of fires are nothing new to the Australian climate but the extent to which the current ones are wreaking havoc is frightening. Due to continued hot weather being forecasted they will most likely continue. Australian wildlife and people will need help in healing physical wounds and damage done to natural habitat and human infrastructure. I am not adequately equipped to give a detailed explanation of the specifics of dealing with fire but just like every other person worldwide, I am able to sense when help is needed.
Some of the causes of fires are natural and they have always happened. A lightning strike is enough to start one. The overarching trend of rising global temperatures, however, is definitely in part an attribute of human activity. That is where we can, and all do, have an impact. Daily.
Some of us must focus on restructuring our political and social systems, of whom I know there are many dedicated and talented individuals. The access and distribution of resources is undoubtedly a problem. My plead to others is to stay socially (i.e. politically) active and engaged but to resist the temptation of being consumed by a fury of finger-pointing and blaming. Please do your best to not waste time and focus on the ship that you captain. Make small changes and stay consistent in improvement, even amongst waves that might seem catastrophic at first glance.
Whilst those in positions of power need to hear our voices, we must trust them enough to prove to us that they are able to handle responsibility and delegate our common resources. They are educated to do what they do, to the best of their own and countless of others’ knowledge.
If we want change, we must show the world what we want within our own capacity. People learn by being shown an improved way of motion, whether it is thought or action. All of us have the desire to be more efficient. Even though we demonise or glorify those that are in positions of power, they are humans bottom line and will follow suit. Sometimes very deep down. But there is always common humanity.
We can’t singlehandedly overcome this catastrophe, but we can all add to the balancing counterweight, no matter the size or shape of our contribution. Individual and collective action are both necessary in improving the efficiency of our structural set up of common resource control as well as the Earth’s wellbeing. That includes our wellbeing.
Our overall consumption must reduce itself. Earth needs time to replenish itself and provide for all, albeit at a slower but equally satisfying pace. In my experience we all start that journey with learning how to truly feel into and understand ourselves. It is a step by step process. It’s learning to know when we are satisfied rather than succumbing to norms and expectations. Sometimes we will feel the need to consume more, sometimes we are satisfied with next to nothing. Know that of your neighbour too.
Why all this is important to us spells itself out quite clearly. Even though we are currently in Europe, the aforementioned trends of climate uncertainty affect us, both directly and indirectly, both in our lifetime and the lifetimes of future generations. We are dedicating 50% of all proceeds to relevant on-site organisations that will be dealing with the upcoming months of consequences. Streaming our song will raise revenue and no matter the amount that it will generate, we know it is a good decision. Not everyone has the means to donate but the structure of this song release allows anyone to contribute to the cause simply by listening. We want to help the growing list of creative enterprises that see helpful opportunities for both others and themselves within the content of what they produce. A helping hand can be a winning hand at the same time. Music creates and strengthens existing momentum; we can choose what for.
We have decided to pick SAVEM, an organisation focused on animal welfare and rehabilitation in the affected Southern regions and the Australian Red Cross, which focuses on the humanitarian aspects of the crisis.
Whilst this is our direct contribution, the catastrophic events have surfaced a very personal desire to improve our own behaviour. We want to tread more lightly on the path of living in harmony with our environment. This is a desire that comes from the soothing certainty that we can all improve, no matter the individual context.
It is a tough path to commit to, uncomfortable at times. Balancing short- and long-term desires with responsibility is no easy task. The peace found within those that do so promises it to be a rewarding one though. We can see it all around us. Some people have it. Many animals do. All of nature does. It seems to be a peaceful state we can all wake up to.
Our focus, individually and collectively, is polishing the intersection of the arts and purpose-driven content. Not exclusively but as an integral part of what we do. There are as many ways of doing so as there are humans and we know of no one-formulaic mould that fits all. Yet we are sure of the emotional power of music and its potential we feel so deeply about. It has been with us since the beginning and we are sure it can help many people; just how previous artists have helped us.
Future generations will undoubtedly look back at our best inventions, amazed at the simplicity — or lack thereof. Neither we, nor the music we make is perfect. The important part is the commitment we wake up with each and every day, to keep doing good to the best of our knowledge. Others will follow along with a whole new set of possibilities and combinations, just as we are doing.
We understand how difficult it is to keep the momentum of conservation efforts up but believe a song specific to our common cause can positively impact the helping hand so many of you have been diligently offering. Music has helped us at our worst and serenaded us at our best. This time we want it to help raise awareness for the immediate help needed and strengthen the growing consensus of environmental responsibility that we are all part of.
Art helps drive causes. The internet is a place of magic and your help will add and invite new possibilities of support for the ongoing fires within the wider spectrum of growing climate uncertainty. Possibilities we might never be able to see and act on individually.
Our hopes of tuning into the harmony amongst humans and the natural world is part of our life-long journey and best attempt at following the path of least resistance. Nature is an energy efficient massive ecosystem and planet Earth is our only home so far. Our environment and the resources it provides are at a vulnerable point in time; a tipping point. We started this song off as part of enjoying the blessing of having room for creativity. It quickly became a wake-up call to a direction we all need to be heading towards. Together, I hope, we can be quick enough to avert many more disasters. Hopefully quicker than the next spreading fire, inhabitable city or extinct species.
Environmental uncertainty unfortunately not only deserves our attention but demands it. The many human lives, countless animal lives and valuable biosphere lost in Australia make that very clear. Let us help each other.
Thank you
max ernst, .mt
