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In January of 2008, nobody had heard of the number 350--not until scientists on thecutting edge of climate researchdeclared that it represented the safe upper bound for carbon in the atmosphere measured in parts per million.
Now, just 18 months later, nearly half the world's countries have come together to state, unequivocally, that it represents the bottom line for effective action on climate. Today, at the UN Climate Talks in Bonn, the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) joined forces with the Alliance of Small Islands States (AOSIS) to makea powerful statementto demand that a climate aggreement coming out of Copenhagen must actually be bold enough to fix the problem. For AOSIS and the LDCs (and our best and brightest climate scientists) that means a peak in global emissions by 2015 and deep short-term reductions. According to the press-release, these reductions are necessary to make it possible to "return atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations to 350."
While this may sound like just a numbers game, the human impacts are all too real: climate impacts in a world at 450 or higher "have the potential to threaten social and political stability, and in some cases, the very survival of low-lying island states.”
The human impacts of climate change--many of them felt here and now--are precisely why the stakes are so high, and why more than 80 countries are endorsing a 350 target. Remember, 350 is a target that was literally not even part of the discussion 18 months ago. That's remarkably quick action in what's been a very slow-moving climate debate, but it represents the growing realization that global warming is already out of control.
We're at 390 parts per million CO2 right now, which is why the Arctic is melting, seas are rising, and drought is spreading. It's past time to get to work reducing that number--and now that work has been spurred by the forthright demand from the world's most vulnerable countries.
One of my roles here at 350.org is keeping track of the media coverage our campaign is generating in the build-up to the 350 International Day of Climate Action. The big stories will come on October 24, when in thousands of places around the world we'll stand together for 350 (and get some good news articles out of it, too). Actually, on that note, a quick reminder to all of our organizers out there to check out the media guide in our 350 Activist Handbook (pdf) and start thinking about how you can get coverage for your events.
But back to the topic at hand, the daily media hits, which are coming in more and more as October approaches. A few days ago, brought a great story from the Times of India on our organizing along the banks of the Ganges in Varanasi. And today, my Google News alerts turned up an article from Denmark (a country we think about a lot these days as the key Copenhagen climate conference in December approaches), about a church that is ringing its bells 350 times to raise awareness about our favorite number -- check out other bell actions in our 350 Faith section.
Puzzling my way through the Danish text, the only really clear thing to me (I speak some Spanish and Portuguese, but that's as far as it goes) was the number 350, popping up again and again. And it reminded me the tremendous value of having a clear, numerical target like ours: no matter what language you speak, no matter where you are, you can recognize 350 as a symbol for where the planet needs to go and the movement that's going to take us there.
That movement is you, of course, so keep up the great work and start thinking about how you can help all of us make an impact in the media on October 24 with a creative and inspiring action.
As I think you say in Danish, "Hej hej!" or see you soon!
One of my roles here at 350.org is keeping track of the media coverage our campaign is generating in the build-up to the 350 International Day of Climate Action. The big stories will come on October 24, when in thousands of places around the world we'll stand together for 350 (and get some good news articles out of it, too). Actually, on that note, a quick reminder to all of our organizers out there to check out the media guide in our350 Activist Handbook (pdf)and start thinking about how you can get coverage for your events.
But back to the topic at hand, the daily media hits, which are coming in more and more as October approaches. A few days ago, brought agreat story from the Times of Indiaon our organizing along the banks of the Ganges in Varanasi. And today, my Google News alerts turned upan article from Denmark(a country we think about a lot these days as the keyCopenhagen climate conferencein December approaches), about a church that is ringing its bells 350 times to raise awareness about our favorite number -- check out other bell actions in our350 Faith section.
Puzzling my way through the Danish text, the only really clear thing to me (I speak some Spanish and Portuguese, but that's as far as it goes) was the number 350, popping up again and again. And it reminded me the tremendous value of having a clear, numerical target like ours: no matter what language you speak, no matter where you are, you can recognize 350 as a symbol for where the planet needs to go and the movement that's going to take us there.
That movement is you, of course, so keep up the great work and start thinking about how you can help all of us make an impact in the media on October 24 with a creative and inspiring action.
As I think you say in Danish, "Hej hej!" or see you soon!
Yesterday Phil blogged about a 350 River action. Today, I want to stay with our water theme and share a great article from our friends over atSolve Climateon "A Sea Change," a new documentary about the state of the world's oceans.
Although we often turn up to the sky when we think about climate change, the oceans are just as crucial to the Earth's ability to handle the carbon humans put up into the atmosphere. And, little surprise here perhaps,new studieshave shown that getting back to 350 ppm is just as crucial for life in the oceans as it is for life on land. Simply put, if we continue to pump C02 into the air, the oceans will quickly become uninhabitable not only for coral reefs, but for the fish and many other life forms humans depend on for food and more.
Take a look at the preview for "A Sea Change" to learn more about the important role oceans play in our lives, check out the complete article on the documentary atSolve Climate, and then start thinking about how you can helporganize an Ocean themed eventfor 24 October. We just learned that President Mohammed Nasheed of the Maldives is helping get 350 people to take action underwater off his coastline, what will you do?
Yesterday Phil blogged about a 350 River action. Today, I want to stay with our water theme and share a great article from our friends over atSolve Climateon "A Sea Change," a new documentary about the state of the world's oceans.
Although we often turn up to the sky when we think about climate change, the oceans are just as crucial to the Earth's ability to handle the carbon humans put up into the atmosphere. And, little surprise here perhaps,new studieshave shown that getting back to 350 ppm is just as crucial for life in the oceans as it is for life on land. Simply put, if we continue to pump C02 into the air, the oceans will quickly become uninhabitable not only for coral reefs, but for the fish and many other life forms humans depend on for food and more.
Take a look at the preview for "A Sea Change" to learn more about the important role oceans play in our lives, check out the complete article on the documentary atSolve Climate, and then start thinking about how you can helporganize an Ocean themed eventfor 24 October. We just learned that President Mohammed Nasheed of the Maldives is helping get 350 people to take action underwater off his coastline, what will you do?
Last week, some of our good friends over at Epicocity Films put together a practice action on the Willamette River in Oregon. Their goal for the October 24 International Day of Climate Action is to create a river of action by forming dozens of 350s with kayak enthusiasts in rivers across the United States. Check out this great video they put together about the Wilamette event, and check them out athttp://riversindemand.com:
Last week, some of our good friends over at Epicocity Films put together a practice action on the Willamette River in Oregon. Their goal for the October 24 International Day of Climate Action is to create a river of action by forming dozens of 350s with kayak enthusiasts in rivers across the United States. Check out this great video they put together about the Wilamette event, and check them out athttp://riversindemand.com:
We each have our own communities whom we can activate for this year's day of action on October 24. Here is a beautiful example of a great 350 leader doing just that:
At the recent national Synod of the United Church of Christ, environmental activist and UCC leader Reverend Jim Antal encouraged thousands to “Do what almost 100 churches in Massachusetts have done: On the internet, go to 350.org and learn the facts. Then on October 24, ring your church bells 350 times and teach your community about climate change. That weekend, thousands of actions around the world will make 350 the most recognized number on the planet. And then adopt new spiritual disciplines of shopping, eating, driving, advocating, sharing, spending, using energy, voting, recycling, and more. We have the power to let our grandchildren experience the Eden into which we were born.”
Here is the text of Rev. Antal's 1 minute “speak out” before about 3,000 UCC members representing our 5,600 churches, and 1,200,000 members: “Look at my T-Shirt....Let me hear you say 350.....350 is the most important number in the world... and as a person of faith, you need to know why.God’s earth can only survive if our atmosphere has 350 parts per million of carbon OR LESS.That’s the limit... 350.We now have 390 parts per million, and it’s going up fast.
We each have our own communities whom we can activate for this year's day of action on October 24. Here is a beautiful example of a great 350 leader doing just that:
At the recent national Synod of the United Church of Christ, environmental activist and UCC leader Reverend Jim Antal encouraged thousands to:
“Do what almost 100 churches in Massachusetts have done: On the internet, go to 350.org and learn the facts. Then on October 24, ring your church bells 350 times and teach your community about climate change. That weekend, thousands of actions around the world will make 350 the most recognized number on the planet. And then adopt new spiritual disciplines of shopping, eating, driving, advocating, sharing, spending, using energy, voting, recycling, and more. We have the power to let our grandchildren experience the Eden into which we were born.”
Here is the text of Rev. Antal's 1 minute “speak out” before about 3,000 UCC members representing our 5,600 churches, and 1,200,000 members:
“Look at my T-Shirt....Let me hear you say 350.....350 is the most important number in the world... and as a person of faith, you need to know why.God’s earth can only survive if our atmosphere has 350 parts per million of carbon OR LESS.That’s the limit... 350.We now have 390 parts per million, and it’s going up fast. Do what almost 100 churches in Massachusetts have done:On the internet, go to 350.org and learn the facts.Then on October 24, ring your church bells 350 times and teach your community about climate change.That weekend, thousands of actions around the world will make 350 the most recognized number on the planet. And then adopt new spiritual disciplines of shopping, eating, driving, advocating, sharing, spending, using energy, voting, recycling, and more. We have the power to let our grandchildren experience the Eden into which we were born.”
Here's a post from Bill McKibben, who was recently in Lebanon for an Arab media workshop on Climate Change:
This tiny Lebanese village is tucked away in the mountains about an hour from Beirut. For the last two days, some of the best environmental journalists and bloggers from around the Middle east have been gathered in a forest lodge here for a series of briefings on climate issues sponsored by our friends at Indyact, and sponsored by the whole crew at the GCCA.
We talked through the global science, and heard from local researchers describing how the cedars of Lebanon (read about them in the Bible) are falling prey to an insect that reproduces wildly in the new heat. The country's snows are disappearing, and the crew at this lodge have had to reforest the whole area after a nasty fire two years ago.
Here's a post from Bill McKibben, who was recently in Lebanon for an Arab media workshop on Climate Change:
This tiny Lebanese village is tucked away in the mountains about an hour from Beirut. For the last two days, some of the best environmental journalists and bloggers from around the Middle east have been gathered in a forest lodge here for a series of briefings on climate issues sponsored by our friends atIndyact, and sponsored by the whole crew at theGCCA.
We talked through the global science, and heard from local researchers describing how the cedars of Lebanon (read about them in the Bible) are falling prey to an insect that reproduces wildly in the new heat. The country'ssnows are disappearing, and the crew at this lodge have had to reforest the whole area after a nasty fire two years ago.
But despite the stereotype of the Mideast--oil sheikhdoms that don't care about environmental impact--there's all kinds of activism underway. And lots more planned forOct. 24, thanks to our friends atIndyact. They deserve a real shout-out--we work with lots of activists around the world, but none more inspired than this crew, who really are climate activism in the Arab world. They're setting a high standard, and we can't wait to see the results!
Check out some of the media coverage this workshop garnered onAl Akhbar, a top Arab newspaper.
Last week, 350.org arts ambassador, Kevin Buckland, joined theGreen Long March-- our lead organizers in China -- on their Grasslands Route, an environmental march through Inner Mongolia. Along the way, Chinese students held environmental awareness events and spread the word about the October 24 International Day of Climate Action.The Green Long March is doing amazing work across all of China and we're so grateful for their leadership.
Art is an integral part to this campaign (so much so that a friend started to call usartivistsinstead of activists). I don't know about the label, but I love the idea: art has always been essential to political change, from the local to the international. October 24 will be a powerful call for climate action because, in large part, of it's beauty.
Check out this articleby Bill McKibben in Grist about all the art that's gathering around the 350 campaign!
As you plan an event for that day, think about how to make it visually stunning. Maybe you can take action in an iconic place that will make a striking backdrop for your action photo. Or you can get kids (and kids at heart) to help you paint your banner with finger paint. Make it bright, make it beautiful, and together, we'll make a huge impact.
This morning, the group Panamá Más Verde and its volunteers, planted native species trees to promote the 350 movement. Our original target was a symbolic 350 but we ended up planting almost double!
The reforestation project is part of the Panama Canal / PRORENA initiatives to sustain the Canal's watershed in the long term and this activity is the first towards 350.org in Panama!
Aquí les adjunto las fotografías, no sabia a donde enviarlas.
Saludos mas verdes desde Panama!
Parque Nacional Soberania, Panama City
July, 25th.
This morning, the group Panamá Más Verde and its volunteers, planted native species trees to promote the 350 movement. Our original target was a symbolic 350 but we ended up planting almost double!
The reforestation project is part of the Panama Canal / PRORENA initiatives to sustain the Canal's watershed in the long term and this activity is the first towards 350.org in Panama!
A guest post by Amanda Ravenhill, coordinator of our business outreach.
Big news today! Carrotmob and 350.org have linked up to bring you the ultimate, synchronized "joycott" on October 24th, the International Day of Climate Action. It's not often that an idea comes along that flips an idea as big as capitalism on its head, so we're all pretty excited about this partnership...
Confused? Let me break it down: aCarrotmobis a network of consumers who buy products in order to award businesses who are making the most socially responsible decisions. Now, there are some red flags in there, words like "consumer" and "products" and "business", words that aren't often associated with real climate action. But Carrotmobs start from the premise that people DO buy products from businesses every day, so we might as well harness that powerful force. And while smarter consumption isn't the silver bullet to create a safe climate, it could very well play a significant role in the coming years.
But let me take a step back. How does a carrotmob actually work? Think of it as a joycott, as in the opposite of a boycott. In a Carrotmob, activists reward businesses that are doing "good" by storming their store with our consumer dollars to help them do "well." Businesses compete with one another to see who can do the most good, and then a big mob of consumers buys products in order to reward whichever business made the strongest commitment to improve the world.
Hosting a carrotmob is a method of activism that leverages consumer power to make the most socially-responsible business practices also the most profitable choices.
Still confused? You can see a fun animation of the Carrotmob concept here:
On October 24th were looking to have350-inspired Carrotmobsall over the world, inviting businesses to take part in this movement by competing with one another to pledge the highest percentage (over 35.0%) of their income from one day’s sales toward energy efficiency improvements for their business. Whichever business commits the most within the businesses you invite to compete, wins the mob. It’s actually a win-win for the climate and the company.
So if you want to do something really cool on October 24th and have just been waiting for an exciting action idea to put you into play, this one’s for you.
Six young people on their way back home after attending the Indian Youth Summit on Climate Change decided to make their journey time an opportunity to spread the message of 350 in an unique manner.
They split themselves into 2 groups to reach out to maximum number of people traveling in the train, spread across 16 compartments. Each group went about talking to the passengers on the train about the larger issue of climate change and the importance of 350 in both the indegeneous languages and English. By the end of the day they had reached out to at least a 1000 people and spread the message. Upon reaching the destination, Secunderabad (a city in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India) they gathered as many people as possible and shot the photograph posted here.
Six young people on their way back home after attending the Indian Youth Summit on Climate Change decided to make their journey time an opportunity to spread the message of 350 in an unique manner.
They split themselves into 2 groups to reach out to maximum number of people traveling in the train, spread across 16 compartments. Each group went about talking to the passengers on the train about the larger issue of climate change and the importance of 350 in both the indegeneous languages and English. By the end of the day they had reached out to at least a 1000 people and spread the message. Upon reaching the destination, Secunderabad (a city in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India) they gathered as many people as possible and shot the photograph posted here.
The picture above is me, and our great Lebanese 350/Indyact colleague Sara El Choufi, with three of our wonderful Omani allies at last night's talk. Lamha Alhabsi and Samiya Alhabsi are sisters, and that's their friend and coworker Ghalia Al-Zaabi. In collaboration with the British Council they organized a wonderful evening last night at Sultan Qaiboos University, which is the main institution of higher education in this Persian Gulf country.
Oman is hot, at least yesterday, but also very beautiful. The coastline near the old city of Muscat is as beautiful as any I've ever seen. And though the climate movement is very new here, our allies are filled with energy and enthusiasm--they're heading out to a series of festivals in the next few weeks to sign people up for Oct. 24, and promise something memorable for the big day. Oh, and that box I'm holding? My new glass version of the ceremonial dagger that Omani men wear in the belt of their robes. Many thanks to everyone here for a very special night.
The picture above is me, and our great Lebanese 350/Indyact colleague Sara El Choufi, with three of our wonderful Omani allies at last night's talk. Lamha Alhabsi and Samiya Alhabsi are sisters, and that's their friend and coworker Ghalia Al-Zaabi. In collaboration with the British Council they organized a wonderful evening last night at Sultan Qaiboos University, which is the main institution of higher education in this Persian Gulf country.
Oman is hot, at least yesterday, but also very beautiful. The coastline near the old city of Muscat is as beautiful as any I've ever seen. And though the climate movement is very new here, our allies are filled with energy and enthusiasm--they're heading out to a series of festivals in the next few weeks to sign people up for Oct. 24, and promise something memorable for the big day. Oh, and that box I'm holding? My new glass version of the ceremonial dagger that Omani men wear in the belt of their robes. Many thanks to everyone here for a very special night.
We have the winners! This spring, 350.org and a Hungarian NGO called Messzelato announced a land art contest for schools in the Central Europe. More than 70 fantastic entries arrived from 7 countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and a surprise - we received land art pieces from Macedonian and Russian youngsters as well).
We encouraged non-formal youth groups or school classes between the age of 11-18 to pick up a local climate issue and try to visualize it in nature, with materials from nature (rocks, stones, water, leaves, flowers). That is the basic process of land art - the land-artist is a part of nature like the wind, for example, who by organizing its pieces creates a new fragile creation without destroying anything in the process. The land art piece can be a cut sign into the grass, or you can spell out your message with leaves on the ground. You can knit a nest from branches, but always on the place where you found them.
Thousands of Central European students and educators went out into nature...
We have the winners! This spring, 350.org and a Hungarian NGO called Messzelato announced a land art contest for schools in the Central Europe. More than 70 fantastic entries arrived from 7 countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and a surprise - we received land art pieces from Macedonian and Russian youngsters as well).
We encouraged non-formal youth groups or school classes between the age of 11-18 to pick up a local climate issue and try to visualize it in nature, with materials from nature (rocks, stones, water, leaves, flowers). That is the basic process of land art - the land-artist is a part of nature like the wind, for example, who by organizing its pieces creates a new fragile creation without destroying anything in the process. The land art piece can be a cut sign into the grass, or you can spell out your message with leaves on the ground. You can knit a nest from branches, but always on the place where you found them.
Thousands of Central European students and educators went out into nature and created a land art piece with an environmental or climate message. They learned about climate change and then used their creativity and artistic view to express their message.
One school createdtheir own websitefor their 350.org Land Art entry. Other schools used Land Art creation as a part of their school’s events and activities (such as garbage picking, annual school day, community service, or an excursion). More Land Art pieces dealt with the theme of increasing heat problems, waste management, and air quality.
The Jury
The entries being so exciting, we invited several artists to judge the rich collection of art works along with the 350 team. We were priviledged to have Agnes Denes, the world famous land artist living in New York, give us her expert assessment. Here is her feedback:
"I am so pleased to see the “green movement” blossom that people frowned upon when I first presented it in my art and talks 40 or more years ago. To teach the children has always been my main concern. Grown ups are embedded into their lives and needs that is hard to change, hard to give things up, sacrifice for the good of the whole. Change must be initiated from childhood. The children are our hope, so my special award goes to all the children who participated, to their teachers for their guidance and to the organizers who got this whole project off the ground and made it a reality."
Awards and Further Information
We had 4 prize categories, here are the first placed in each category:
Artistic perspective : "Border" (Hungary, Budapest) Városmajori Gimnázium high school
Message: "No land?" (Russia, Kaliningrad) Hrabrovo School
Involving the kids: "Rain of burnt bottles" (Poland, Zawiercie) Gimnazjum No 1
A lot of inspiration came from my inbox today--farmers markets events in Washington, a new registerd action in Djibouti, but most of all...this video. Bill McKibben spoke at theMountain Schoolin Vermont earlier this year, and following his talk, the students got to work on what I think is an exceptional 350 video. Check it out, and thanks everyone! We look forward to seeing what these students plan fo October 24.
As part of a global campaign run by 350.org
Save the Tiger, Save Humanity -- A call to action on climate change, conservation, and 350.
Our friends at Greenpeace accomplished an incredible action yesterday, that has beenwidelycoveredin manynews outlets. Their message, written on a giant banner: "America Honors Leaders, Not Politicians: Stop Global Warming!" They've just posted a great video that shows the action "in action" (so to speak). Check it out:
From Creative Greenius.com by way of Powershift 09
These great kids down under are taking part in a ‘flash mob’ on the steps of the Sydney Opera House, dancing as a creative protest at the Power Shift 2009 youth climate summit.
They have only three very reasonable demands:
Green Jobs for our generation,
A Power Shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy,
50% by 2020 carbon pollution reduction targets for Australia.
Feel free to dance along as we demand no less for the USA!
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