Some exciting news! I’ve just released a new single on the CommsBreakdown Bandcamp page – and this is a very special release. All funds from sales of Lazing In The English Sunshine will go to the charity Earth Percent, helping to raise money for their amazing projects to green the music industry and fight climate change.
Supporting Earth Day on 22 April 2025
It’s Earth Day on Tuesday 22 April, with 92 countries and over one billion people around the globe expected to participate, so I was keen to do my bit and get involved.
The key aim of Earth Day 2025, with the theme ‘Our Power, Our Planet’, is to encourage global support for the adoption of renewable energy and to push for a tripling of global clean energy generation by 2030.
Transitioning to renewable sources, like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, will be crucial to this aim and to combating climate change, improving air quality and fostering a sustainable future for both humanity and the planet at large.
Raising funds for Earth Percent: transforming the music industry
We all have a responsibility to reduce our energy usage and to look for more renewable and sustainable ways to power our industries. And one industry that’s in dire need of a change to its energy policies is the music industry.
The huge carbon footprint of music festivals and global music tours is a major problem. But there are ways to mitigate the negative impact of the industry. Bands like Coldplay and Massive Attack are exploring ways to cut energy usage during tours and power gigs with more sustainable energy sources.
But in order to run more climate-focused projects, funding is needed. And this is where Earth Percent comes in. Earth Percent was co-founded in 2020 by Adam Callan and Hiroki Shirasuka, with support from Brian Eno. The charity’s aim to make the music industry a force for good during the ongoing climate emergency.
What does Earth Percent do?
Earth Percent aims to combat the climate emergency by mobilising private sector funding, with a specific focus on engaging the music industry.
The charity encourages musicians and rights holders to pledge at least 1% of their income, primarily royalties, to environmental causes. Earth Percent provides the framework, connecting artists with vetted environmental organisations and acting as a bridge to the green causes and organisations that matter.
Earth Percent aims to normalise environmental responsibility and inspire wider adoption across the music business. Using the broad reach and engagement that music artists can offer, the charity sets out to raise awareness and encourage action from music fans. The end goal is a global music industry that actively contributes to a sustainable future and drives environmental change.
The charity supports a diverse range of environmental and climate justice causes. It prioritises funding organisations and initiatives that are at the forefront of addressing the climate crisis, often those most impacted by its effects.
Their support covers five core principles:
- Greening music: Earth Percent works with various organisations to find ways to make the music industry and live music more sustainable. This involves funding projects to use more renewable energy sources and to cut back the overriding carbon footprint of festivals and touring.
- Energy transition: Earth Percent also funds efforts towards a just energy transition. The charity backs initiatives that challenge fossil fuel expansion and promote renewable energy solutions in a way that’s equitable and considers the needs of affected communities.
- Protecting nature and biodiversity: Earth Percent recogises the crucial role of healthy ecosystems in climate regulation and carbon sequestration. The charity supports projects that combat deforestation and empower indigenous communities as stewards of their land.
- Legal and policy change: Earth Percent works with organisations that use the law to advocate for stronger environmental protections and hold polluters accountable. This includes efforts to influence legislation and create systemic change.
- Climate justice: Earth Percent recognises that the impacts of climate change are disproportionately felt by marginalised communities. The charity supports grassroots organisations and activists that are working to find equitable solutions and address the social dimensions of the climate crisis. Empowering frontline communities is key to this.
You can find out more about Earth Percent on their website.
Buy Lazing In The English Sunshine: support Earth Percent
I’d greatly appreciate your support in buying this single! 🌏 🌿 🎶
If you believe we should be doing more to green the music industry and move to renewable energy sources, you can do your part by supporting Earth Percent and buying Lazing In The English Sunshine.
All proceeds will go directly to Earth Percent and their mission to fund projects around:
- Greening music
- Just energy transition
- Protecting and restoring nature
- Legal & policy action
- Climate justice
This release supports Earth Week from 16-22 April and honours the part that nature plays in our lives and in the music we make.
Lazing In The English Sunshine is a chilled piece of ambient electronica that’s perfect listening for a chilled day or adding to a playlist. It’s a love letter to England and the hazy summer days of my youth. The tweeting of sparrows in the trees, the warmth of the summer sun and the smell of fresh grass as you sit under an oak tree.
Please donate what you can and buy this single – the planet says thank you 🌏 🙏
CommsBreakdown 