I have just learned about the international organization 350.org.  Its mission is to get people all over the world to take action to help stop the harmful warming of our planet. 

     Why the name ‘350.org?’  Scientists say that 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is the highest safe limit for humanity.  But the carbon dioxide now in our atmosphere is an alarming 385 parts per million (ppm) and rising.  According to climate experts, if we do not act quickly to bring the proportion of carbon in the atmosphere back to 350 ppm or lower, we risk reaching tipping points and irreversible impacts such as the melting of the Greenland ice sheet and major methane releases from increased permafrost melt. 

     Already, major life systems are in decline, and weather patterns are increasingly erratic.  Unless we successfully address global warming, we are all in deep trouble.

     So what can you do to make a difference for the planet?  You can join with people in more than 140 countries who are observing the Day of Action, Saturday, October 24.  Organizers with 350.org are asking people all over the world to organize an event at a central site in their community and incorporate into it the number 350 and then to upload a photo of the event to 350.org’s website.  The organization will deliver all the photos to world leaders and the media to show, before December’s decisive climate change talks in Copenhagen, that people all over the globe demand decisive action by the world’s governments to address global warming.

     It doesn’t sound hard.  And people are planning all sorts of activities: marches, bike rides, and rallies in cities and on campuses; teach-ins; creating a human line along coasts where global warming means higher water levels; river and beach clean-ups;  service projects like building weatherization and improving bike trails; and much more. 

     These actions can all be valuable in attracting the attention of the community and in educating people.  Planning an event for the day of Action  will spread the word about the meaning of ‘350′ and why we must all get involved in lowering the carbon dioxide in our atmosphere to 350 ppm.

     Find out more about the science of global warming, and get ideas and information for planning an October 24 event by visiting www.350.org.  I hope you’ll get involved.  One of my favorite sayings is, “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.”–April Moore 

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 at 5:28 pm and is filed under Act now to save our beloved Earth!. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.