350.org
October 7th, 2010by Jennifer Lefebvre
The significance of the number “350” is one which scientists and climate experts say is the parts per million (ppm) CO2 in the atmosphere that is the safe limit for humanity. Currently, we are at 392ppm. Parts per million is a way to measure the concentration of different gases and is the ratio of the number of carbon dioxide molecules to all of the molecules in the atmosphere. It’s important for us to have carbon in the atmosphere because without it, the planet would be too cold for us to live. But having too much, scientists say, has put the planet at risk resulting in advanced global warming.
350.org, founded by author Bill McKibben and a team of university friends, was created as an international campaign to unite the world through solutions to help solve the current climate crisis. In October 2009, 350.org organized 5200 simultaneous demonstrations in over 180 countries. CNN called it the “most widespread day of political action in the planet’s history.” This year, on October 10, 2010 (10/10/10), they’ve organized what they are calling the “Global Work Party.” 350.org hopes to generate enough events and demonstrations to encourage our global leaders to pay attention and work towards finding ways to improve our current climate situation. Events which are planned all over the world include large projects like installing solar panels to small projects like community gardens. The organization’s website offers information on how to register an event in your area or you can search for one to participate in. Currently, the United States, Germany, Latvia, India, Pakistan, Nigeria and many more countries are registered for events like planting trees, anti-plastic rallies, walking groups, and informational seminars.
If you are not able to participate in an event on 10/10/10, use this day to consider small ways in which each of us can make a change.
