This Saturday, 24 October 2009, is International Day of Climate Action. 350.org was founded by U.S. author Bill McKibben, who wrote one of the first books on global warming for the general public, and a team of university friends.
Together, they ran a campaign in 2007 called Step It Up that organized over 2,000 rallies at iconic places in all 50 states. These creative actions – from skiers descending a melting glacier to divers hosting an underwater action – helped convince many political leaders, including then Senator Barack Obama, to adopt our common call to action: cutting carbon 80% by 2050.
350.org is an international campaign dedicated to building a movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis–the solutions that science and justice demand. Their mission is to inspire the world to rise to the challenge of the climate crisis—to create anew sense of urgency and of possibility for our planet.
The focus is on the number 350–as in parts per million, the level scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere. But 350 is more than a number–it´s a symbol of where we need to head as a planet.
To tackle climate change we need to move quickly, and we need to act in unison—and 2009 will bean absolutely crucial year. This December, world leaders will meet in Copenhagen, Denmark to craft a new global treaty on cutting emissions. The problem is, the treaty currently on the table doesn´t meet the severity of the climate crisis—it doesn´t pass the 350 test.
“In order to unite the public, media, and our political leaders behind the 350 goal, we´re harnessing the power of the internet to coordinate a planetary day of action on October 24, 2009. We hope to have actions at hundreds of iconic places around the world – from the Taj Mahal to the Great Barrier Reef to your community – and clear message to world leaders:the solutions to climate change must be equitable, they must be grounded in science, and they must meet the scale of the crisis.”
If an international grassroots movement holds our leaders accountable to the latest climate science, we can start the global transformation we so desperately need.
If you are in Cape Town, head down to these 350 events:
Table Mountain Human ´350´ (8am – 1pm)
Join a hike up Table Mountain via Platteklip Gorge where a human 350 will be formed on the table top which will be filmed from a helicopter to send out a powerful message to the world. Meet at the Lower Cable Car Station and wear red,orange or yellow to symbolise global warming.
Muizenberg melting (9am – 4pm)
Join us on Muizenberg beach and gather around the 350 setup in giant ice blocks. Use plastic lined cardboard boxes and 5L ice cream tubs to make ice blocks. Bring your ice blocks and be part of the photo or take your own pics from the beach or up on Boyes Drive.
Stellenbosch ´350´ March (1pm – 4pm)
Take part in a 30 minute march through Stellenbosch, starting on campus and passing through the historical centre. Meet at the car park outside the General Administration Building B of Stellenbosch University on Victoria St and leave at 1pm sharp! Draw 350 on your face or t-shirt and come with home-made 350 flags and banners.
Click here for a full list of what and where the 350 events are taking place in SA on Saturday, 24 October 2009.
The liveeco team
