Lorin Ashton, who famously goes by the stage name Bassnectar, is a San Francisco native and record producer, popular for his songs “Timestretch” and “You & Me.” Aside from his work as a touring artist and DJ, he also uses his platform and wealth to give back and be an advocate for climate change and communities in need. He has recently launched a new climate change initiative that targets high school students. This four-week course aims to educate high school educators and students on climate change and empower participants to make conscious decisions toward sustainable habits.
This isn’t Ashton’s first time working as an activist. In 2018, before his Deja Voom music festival in Riviera Maya, Mexico, Ashton and his non-profit charity called “Be Interactive” asked the surrounding community to provide a list of things the non-profit could help with to enrich the area. According to EDM, when locals directed “Be Interactive” to an elementary school for underprivileged youth called Ki’in Beh School, Deja Voom festival attendees flew in with donations and back to school items such as backpacks, notebooks, children’s books and crayons.
Festival attendees and Bassnectar fans, who are regularly referred to as Bassheads, also worked closely with the “Be Interactive” team to clean the local beaches and collected over 560 pounds of trash as a result. Ashton hosted various workshops during the festival regarding climate change activism and raised awareness about other issues, such as LGBTQ+ inclusivity.
The project is designed to combat teachers not having enough time, resources or funding to have a thorough lesson plan on climate change. Thus, the coursework attributed to “Teaching Today to Save Tomorrow” is intentional in terms of accessibility for public schools, assigned homework and scientific breakdowns of topics. The tools and materials offered within the online course include a course introduction, teachers’ manual, syllabus, grading rubrics, lecture PowerPoints, student project outline and instructions and in-class activity options.
Providing teachers with a free and accessible method of educating their students on climate science can diminish the financial strain and struggle for resources that educators may face. Bassnectar, Riabokin, the “Be Interactive” organization and Bassheads alike will advocate for change and continue to promote this initiative.
To learn more, be sure to check out the official website at “Be Interactive.”
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