Every Tenth Matters

Basic Information

Instrumentation: Choral (TBB)
Duration: 4:10
Year composed: 2024

Description

Written for the Brooklyn Youth Chorus Bass Ensemble, performed March 15, 2025

The 2023 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report was dire, but as researcher Wolfgang Cramer said after its release, “1.5C will always be better than 1.6C...Every tenth of a degree matters.” A stable climate can feel like an impossibility, but if we can imagine a better world, we can make it a reality, one tenth of a degree at a time. This piece affirms that our collective action truly does make a difference.

Lyrics

(Chorus) Every tenth matters, we prevent risk
Every tenth matters, we prevent loss
Every tenth matters, We prevent suffering

Listen - the city is close to rest
Listen - the ocean is close to rest
Listen. Listen. Listen!

(Chorus)

Listen - the people are close to rest
Listen - the Earth is close to rest
Listen. Listen. Listen!

We're here, and we imagine
a better world, a better time, a better life
We're here, and we believe that
things can change, world can change, we can change

Every tenth of a degree saves lives
Every tenth of a degree lets us thrive
Every tenth lets more survive

Every tenth matters, we prevent risk
DON'T GIVE UP!
Every tenth matters, we prevent loss
DON'T GIVE UP!
Every tenth matters, we prevent suffering
DON'T GIVE UP!

To survive, we must believe
we can change, worlds can change, worlds can change

Score & Recording

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