350 Updates
The State of the Planet...
Here at 350's San Francisco headquarters, we're all settling back in from our travels and gearing up for the year ahead--there's no doubt that it's going to be a crucial 12 months.
There's a real feeling among climate activists that 2009 may well be the "year of the climate." With a new US President entering office and the imminent construction of a massive global treaty to regulate CO2, this year promises to raise the profile of climate change in a big way.
But before we dive headlong into 2009, it's useful to look back at the year that's quickly receeding in our collective memory. Without further ado, here is GOOD magazine's "State of the Planet 2008" video--and make sure to watch to the 1:58 mark for a number we're all quite fond of...
North America Add your suggestions for Change
As the new Obama administration gears up to hit the ground running on January 20th, they're also taking questions and suggestions from the audience. At Change.gov, you can register to submit your own questions, and vote on others that you think are important for the new administration to take a look at. Already there are several questions about 350ppm gaining steam on the website - please help out to show that the world is watching, and that the U.S. must take a strong stance on climate change right away. If you log in to Change.gov, and then search 350, you'll see all the questions submitted, and can vote on the ones you like, or add your own. Here are a few excerpts:
Peter Wood from Canberra, Australia writes: "NASA scientist James Hansen has said that we need to stabilise carbon dioxide concentrations at 350 ppm or less, or we risk an ice free planet. Will the administration be willing to do what is needed to avoid dangerous climate change?"
And Gail from New Hampshire adds, "Science tells us the safe level of co2 in the atmosphere is 350ppm. Will Obama bring the message to the American people & world that 350 represents a critical number for the planet's safety and rally our nation & the world to take immediate action?"
Visit Change.gov today and add your voice!
more »
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A small new year's day present
The planet's most indefatigable climate blogger may well be Joe Romm, the respected former Clinton administration energy official who posts every piece of latest news, as well as savvy analysis, on his ClimateProgess.org website. And how did he describe your efforts this past year in his roundup of the ten biggest climate stories? "350 is the new 450." We've done our work well in the past year reaching the climate insiders; 2009 needs to be the year we let every person on the planet know the most important number for their future.
More Elite Skiers Sign On To Support 350
As half the world prepares to enter winter, snow sports are on a lot of minds. Below is a dispatch from Andrew Gardner, a major ally who has been pulling together an incredible team of elite athletes who are supporting 350.
(Crossposted from FasterSkier.com)
When Sara Renner planned her comeback to World Cup racing, she left out a trip to New Zealand last summer, a typically annual pilgrimage for the Canadian silver medalist. Renner cited sustainability concerns as motivation in her decision to reduce travel, “We thought about the overall costs of going there. It played into the decision.” Elite athletes don’t usually consider their carbon footprint when planning training. Most of athletics is governed by a more is better mindset. Bling tends to trump social outreach. But green motivations spurned Renner and her husband, Alpine World Cup racer, Thomas Grandi to lessen their impact. It also spurned them to join a collection of athletes endorsing 350.
Read the rest of the story after the jump, or check out the full story, chock full of photos, on FasterSkier.com.
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Science is on the agenda
For nearly a decade, scientists working on climate change and energy in the US Federal government were told to shut up and sit down. Their reports were edited for content by political appointees, their numbers fudged or never released and they were alienated from the policymaking process. Dr James Hansen, a top NASA climate scientist, has spoken out against such censure for the past few years, but under the current administration, it is still difficult for researchers to publish findings if they don't corroborate the current political thought on an issue - especially climate change.
Asia Action Spotlight: 350 in Mumbai
We have had a bit of radio silence on the blog the past days as most of us, and hopefully most of you, have been enjoying time with family during what for many of us is a holiday season. But even as many of us are celebrating the holidays, the movement is keeping on.
I was overjoyed to open up an email yesterday to learn about yet another incredibly beautiful 350 action in India led by our friends at Kids for Tigers, this one at the Royal College of Arts, Science and Commerce in Mumbai. The 350 photo action was at the conclusion of a 3 day festival all focused on the environment and including over 80 colleges from across the city. And the bicycles in the picture are of particular importance as the students decided it was essential to incorporate a demostration of solutions for how to get to 350 as well.
Read on for a more detailed report from Ayesha D'souza of Kids for Tigers...
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Losing Louisiana to Climate Change
Three years after Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the U.S. state of Louisiana, coastal residents are still struggling with the accelerating forces of climate change - in their case, coastal erosion, rising sea levels, and the ongoing risk of severe storms. A 350 supporter from Louisiana recently sent us the news series and excellent video below documenting the impacts on coastal ecosystems and communities. Like island residents of the Pacific, some of the Native American residents on coastal islands are also considering the need to relocate their home.
Do you have a story of climate impacts or action in your community? Please send us photos, video, and/or text and we'll happily share it on the blog with the entire 350 community.
Losing Louisiana series: http://www.nola.com/coastal/
Louisiana wetlands loss video
South America Bringing Poland to the World
While negotiators, NGOs, and youth representatives were meeting in Poland, the Andean region's most active youth environmentalists were holding their own summit in the Ecuadorean capital of Quito, as part of the TUNZA/GEO-Juvenil network. There, 40 youth leaders sat down together to review their accomplishments of the year, not least of which include: running reforestation campaigns in their communities, giving presentations to school children about climate change, and producing a banner 3km long with children's handprints and signatures asking for a strong deal in Copenhagen. They then set out their plans for 2009. Goal #1? Get to Copenhagen to make sure the voice of their region's youth, who are already being impacted by global warming, will be heard there.
For this year, we utilized the wonders of the internet to show them what was happening in Poland, and they sent their messages back. We hope to do all we can to help out this year to bring their voices to the table. Check out the video below, complete with English subtitles:
- Asia
"Sanskriti 350" - A School in India Takes the Initiative!
Established by the Civil Services Society in the Indian capital city of Delhi, Sanskriti has become one of the leading schools in the little over ten years time period of its establishment. The school recently won an award for its work with ragpickers and slum-children and has addressed its share of equity issues. Today, right in front of my eyes, Sanskriti School became another first.
The school called for 'Sanskriti 350' - an inter-school event inviting eco-clubs from over 30 schools, in a bid to highlight the importance of 350. Remarkably enough, Sanskriti (meaning culture) 350 was an event completely for the youth, by the youth and of the youth!
Invitation Counter
But we need thousands more. Get the U.S. back in the game by
sending McCain and Obama to the UN Climate talks. Send your
invitation today.
350 Around the World
In 42 Countries people have taken action to spread 350. We need to spread this kind of action to every corner of the earth. View the examples and get inspired to organize your own action.
Understanding 350
- So, what is global warming and what's the problem anyway?
- And what does this 350 number even mean?
- If we're already past 350, are we all doomed?
- How do we get the world on track to get to 350?
- How do we actually reduce carbon emissions to get to 350??
- Will this thing work? Will world leaders listen?
- Where did this 350 number come from?
- Isn't America the biggest source of the problem? What about China and India?
- 350 is just a number. Wouldn't "Climate Emergency" or "Clean Energy Now" be a better call to action?
- Why another organization--there are already too many things going on!
350 Messengers
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Why 350? We must return to the earth's natural balance!—David Suzuki, Scientist, Author, and Activist
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