International Day of Climate Action

Last Updated on Sunday, 22 November 2009 16:57 Written by Shawn Dell Joyce and GHV Sunday, 22 November 2009 16:32

The number 350 seems so innocent, so small, so prime, and human-scaled you can picture it in your mind. Not like those inconceivable numbers; the trillions which measure the national debt, or billions which measure world population, or millions which measure the carbon in the atmosphere.

             350 parts per million (ppm) is the "safe" level of carbon emissions in the atmosphere according to NASA scientist James Hansen. We are currently at 385ppm. “Safe” meaning avoiding the most disastrous effects of climate change like sea level rise that swallows  the world’s coastlines, and a radical redistribution of ground water making farmlands into deserts. Basically, we are making our home inhospitable to humans and most other species on our planet.

            In Hansen’s words; “If humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which civilization developed and to which life on Earth is adapted, paleoclimate evidence and ongoing climate change suggest that CO2 will need to be reduced from its current 385ppm to at most 350ppm.” What Hansen is warning us about is that we have overshot the climate’s ability to maintain the temperature range our species needs to thrive.

            Saturday, October 24, was the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet's history. "The International Day of Climate Action covered almost every country on earth, with big rallies in big cities, and incredible creative actions across the globe: mountain climbers on our highest peaks with banners, underwater demonstrations in island nations threatened by sea level rise, churches and mosques and synagogues and ashrams engaged in symbolic action, star athletes organized mass bike rides—and hundreds upon hundreds of community events raised awareness of the need for urgent action," according to organizers.

            These 3700 actions in 162 countries highlighted the number 350, and the message that we must find creative ways to reduce carbon in the atmosphere now. "We are like the patient who goes to the Doctor and is told his cholesterol is too high," says the 350.org website. "We don't die right away, instead, we change our lifestyle to get back down to the safe zone."

            For a carbon-fat country like ours to get back to the 350 safe zone means transforming ourselves. "It means building solar arrays instead of coal plants, it means planting trees instead of clear-cutting rainforests, it means increasing efficiency and decreasing our waste," says the 350 organizers.

            Part of the impetus for the International Day of Climate Action was the global treaty currently being hashed out in time for signing at the United Nations Climate Negotiations in Copenhagen this December. Copenhagen may well be the pivotal moment that determines whether or not we get the planet out of the climate crisis, and many activist believe the current treaty to be too weak to reduce current emissions to the 350 safety zone.

            "People need to understand that 350 marks either success or failure for these climate negotiations," note organizers. "We think the voice of ordinary people will be heard, if it's loud enough."

Want to find a 350 action near you or start one up? Visit 350.org.