This Saturday is supposed to be a big day on this blue globe. In the ongoing struggle to get folks to wake up and smell the climate change coffee, 350.org has declared an International Day of Climate Action, October 24, which is meant to be a massive awareness-raising exercise ahead of the December U.N. climate meeting in Copenhagen.
Nice exposition on the idea here (click "How will this make a difference?"). You make a sign, you hold it up, you take a picture, you send it in, boom: World leaders will realize that folks all over the planet really, really want this problem solved. If you’re not already familiar with the 350.org idea, the group focuses on one number: 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. That’s said to be the safe limit, which of course we’re currently exceeding, and 350.org is after a global climate agreement aimed at that number.
Trolling the site, I looked for local events on the 24th, but didn’t find a bullseye in terms of events I myself would participate in. CHS students will be climbing Humpback Rocks to fly a 350 banner. There’s a vigil at Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church in opposition to mountaintop removal mining—relevant, but it takes place on Sunday. Mary Baldwin College lists a Saturday climate change teach-in, but it’s not confirmed on the college’s own website.
So, my suggestion is, think small. Have your kids make a 350 sign and take a photo in the backyard. Weave "350" out of leftover plastic bags in that chainlink fence down the block. Embroider it into your dishtowels. For my money, it’s better not to burn gas in service to this event, anyway.
Other suggestions, folks?
