kind of big, bold, fast action that we need to solve this crisis.
- But nobody's going to do it for us--we all need to step up here. Here's how you can help: people all over the world are coming together to create an International Day of Action on October 24th through the website 350.org. The goal is to take a united stand to get the planet--and ourselves--back to 350 out of this huge mess. If we're loud enough all over the world, we can really make a difference.
- So, if you live near me, e-mail me This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we'll start organizing a local event. If you live far away--even better. We need as many events as possible, all over the world! You can register your event at http://www.350.org/oct24
- Why 350? Find out in this fun 90-second video clip: http://www.350.org/animation
Thanks everyone--with your help, 2009 is going to be BIG.
This isthe original invitation letter below if you want more information about 350.
Dear World
This is an invitation to build a movement-to take one day and use it to stop the climate crisis.
We are a group of people from around the planet-young and old, scientists and writers and activists-who have one thing in common. We know the most important number on earth: 350. And we know how to use that number to finally get global action on the worst crisis humans have ever faced. But we can only do it if you help.
A year ago, our greatest climatologist-NASA's James Hansen-and his team produced a landmark series of studies. They showed that if we let the amount of carbon in the atmosphere top 350 parts per million, we can't have a planet "similar to the one on which civilization developed and to which life on earth is adapted."
The bad news is we're already past that number-we're at 390 parts per million, which is why the Arctic is melting, why drought is spreading across the planet, why people are already dying from diseases like dengue fever and malaria occurring in places where they've never been seen before.
The good news: that number gives us a target to aim for. When the world's leaders meet in Copenhagen in December to reach agreement on a new climate treaty, we need them to go farther than they've planned to go: we need to make sure they'll pay attention to the latest science and put forward a plan that gets us back to safety.
So here's the plan. On October 24, we need you to organize an action in the place where you live, something that will make that most important number visible to everyone. People in more than 1000 communities around the globe have already announced plans-they'll be school children planting 350 trees in Bangledesh, scientists hanging banners saying 350 on the statues on Easter Island, 350 scuba divers diving underwater at the Great Barrier Reef, and a thousand more creative actions like these. At each event, people will gather for a big group photo that somehow depicts 350--and upload that photo to the web 350.org. As actions take place around the world, we'll link all the pictures together electronically via the web--by the end of the day, we'll have a powerful visual petition linking together the entire planet that we can deliver to the media and world leaders.
So far more than 100 nations are taking part-it's shaping up to be to be the biggest day of grassroots action on global warming ever. But we need it to be much larger-we need you, in your village or town or city, to take part. It's not hard-we can help you with materials and ideas. But you need to take the first step, by registering an action and starting to let your friends and neighbors know about it.
Involve groups that you're in-everything from your church, mosque or synagogue to your local bicycle group. People want to help, especially if they see the chance for something that might actually matter. This is even more important than changing your lightbulb-this is your chance to help change the way the whole world operates. October 24 comes six weeks before those crucial UN meetings in Copenhagen. It's a great chance to take a stand-maybe the last great chance, given what the scientists tell us about the momentum of global warming.
But it can only happen with the help of a global movement-and it's starting to bubble up everywhere. Farmers in Cameroon, students in China, even World Cup skiers have already helped spread the word about 350. Churches have rung their bells 350 times; Buddhist monks have formed a huge 350 with their bodies against the backdrop of Himalayas. 350 translates across every boundary of language and culture. It's clear and direct, cutting through the static and laying down a firm scientific line.
This is like a final exam for human beings. Can we muster the courage, the commitment, and the creativity to set this earth on a steady course before it's too late? October 24 will be the joyful, powerful day when we prove it's possible.
Please join us and register your local action today.
Onwards,
Bill McKibben - Author and Activist- USA
Vandana Shiva - Physicist, Activist, Author - India
David Suzuki - Scientist, Author, Activist - Canada
Bianca Jagger - Chair of the World Future Council - UK
Tim Flannery - Scientist, Author, Explorer -Australia
Bittu Sahgal - Editor of Sanctuary magazine - India
Andrew Simmons - Environmental Advocate, St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Christine Loh - Environmental Advocate and Legislator - Hong Kong
You can take action at many physical and cyber spaces places to contribute towards telling the decision makers what you want. Find out what's happening. Start here and then navigate to your area. You can follow events and add photos at these two places http://www.350.org/twitter and http://twitter.com/350Australia and you can use this Greens website to send a phota and message to government. Check out who has already done so - search by postcode. Use this tool. www.faceup.org.au
I have just read and signed the petition: "Make a Difference on International Day of Climate Action!".
Please take a moment to read about this important issue, and join me in signing the petition. It takes just 30 seconds, but can truly make a difference. We are trying to reach 10000 signatures - please sign here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/775034424 Once you have signed, you can help even more by asking your friends and family to sign as well.
Thank you!
350.org is an international movement started in Australia. PEOPLE POWER CAN MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.
BE A CHANGEMAKER AND TAKE PART IN THIS MOVEMENT!