Last year, millions of people from nearly every country on the planet were united by a common purpose: to build a powerful global movement to solve the climate crisis.

The slideshow on the left is just a sampling of the more than 25,000 photos of people uniting in a global call for 350, the safe upper limit of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

October 24th, 2009 was called "the most widespread day of political action in the planet's history," with more than 5200 events in 181 countries. We increased pressure throughout the Copenhagen climate talks: we lobbied inside, we protested outside, and we organized thousands of candlelight vigils with partners around the world.

But now the Copenhagen climate talks have come and gone, and we don't have the fair, ambitious, and binding treaty this global movement--and the latest science--demands.

But this is not over: 2010 will be a crucial year for the growth of the movement--and for its evolution. Please join us.



350 Updates

We're Smiling

By Bill McKibben
• 3 February, 2010 - 15:22

 

in part because we're not going to jail. That's Jim Hansen in the middle (and me next to him) in 350 ties; we're surrounded by some of our co-defendants. The crime? Sleeping out on the main public square in Boston USA last fall as part of a global warming protest (The students were making the point that they didn't want their dorms heated by dirty energy). We each paid a fine, and the clerk made sure to tell Dr. Hansen, the planet's foremost climatologist, that he wouldn't have to report a criminal record on his next job application!  The Massachusetts campaign continues (details here). For now, many thanks to Craig Altemose for his leadership, and to Matt Pawa, Jim Budreau, and the Boston chapter of the National Lawyers Guild for their skillful representation.

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Asia

100% by 2020!

By Will
• 31 January, 2010 - 08:10

We have discussed the tremendous leadership of the Maldives in the fight against climate change on numerous occassions, but this latest bit of news likely ought to make the US and other developed countries blush...

In advance of the January 31 deadline to submit mitigation targets under the new Copenhagen Accord, the Maldives has reinforced their goal of becoming carbon neutral in the next decade, declaring that they will reduce CO2 emissions 100% by 2020.  This comes days after the US submitted their plans to cut emissions just 17% below 2005 levels (3% below 1990 levels) and the Europeans continue to stick with their 20% by 2020 target.  These targets are not new, but as the internatioanl community continues to find it's feet again after the confusion of Copenhagen these submissions are a reminder of where the real leadership rest.

“Climate change threatens us all. If we don’t act now, we will lose the rainforests, lose the coral reefs and, potentially, lose human civilization itself,” said President Mohamed Nasheed.

“The world is wasting billions of dollars per year on dirty fossil fuels; money that could be saved by switching to clean energy.  New technologies allow us to both develop and maintain a healthy environment. It is time mankind moves into the Green Age,” the President added.

In a world eager for leadership to transition to a stronger, cleaner economy world leaders might want to take some notes from the leadership of this small island nation.

Haiti: Support our 350 friends and allies to rebuild

By kelly
• 30 January, 2010 - 09:07

On Friday, I finally was able to get updates from two of our allies in Haiti, Haiti Survie and Friends of Haiti who are working on the ground in the relief effort.  Posted again from our earlier update from Haiti are some photos of the environmental education and sustainable development activities they organized on October 24th - it will be these groups who will be some of the best prepared to rebuild Haiti sustainably.  Now is the time when news of the disaster and rebuilding effort starts to drift off the front pages and away from the forefront of people's minds, which is why we wanted to remind and call upon our wider 350 family to pull together in this time in solidarity with our Haitian partners.  We now have the donation information for two of those organizations, as well as brief updates from the field about how these small, community-oriented groups are helping in the relief effort.  Please donate if you can, and forward on to others who may be able to help:

Friends of Haiti: http://friendsofhaiti-gb.com/friendsofhaiti/make+a+donation/default.asp

Friends of Haiti typically works to distribute clean-burning stoves and educate about health and sustainability, though also sponsors medical missions with US doctors every year.  "On the night of the earthquake Matthew 25 [their mission house] was one of few places in Haiti with electricity provided by their backup generator. They cooked up big pots of soup, lit up their soccer field and served as a treatment and triage center. Three Haitian doctors and the staff and six guests provided support throughout the night."  When I called the contact who had submitted their photos on October 24th, they were overwhelmed with gratitude for the offering of help from the 350 community.  As a small organization, these funds will get right to the people who need them most to set up new medical clinics, and work towards sustainable redevelopment.

Haiti Survie/Friends of the Earth Haiti: http://www.foei.org/en/get-involved/take-action/haiti-earthquake

In the aftermath of the earthquake their work is focussing on the immediate relief effort. Working alongside other local non governmental organisations they are running two mobile clinics which are being supported by around 40 medics - 12 of whom are Haitian exiles who have returned from the United States to offer their support. The team's focus is on the most vulnerable people who have been affected by the earthquake. In addition Friends of the Earth Haiti intend to distribute more than 100,000 litres of drinking water which is being delivered by a partner organisation based in the neighbouring Dominican Republic.

Aldrin Calixte of Haiti Survie, who I got to meet up with in Copenhagen, was thankful and already looking ahead in his last email: "Thank you so much for your support and solidarity with us.  Regarding 350.org, what is the next step?"

15 Convincing Minutes

By Bill McKibben
• 28 January, 2010 - 11:57

If you have friends or family who aren't sure that global warming is a problem, this 15-minute video may be useful. It comes from an old friend of ours, Ross Gelbspan, who is a prize-winning journalist and who has been covering climate change since the mid-1990s.

North America

What would you do for climate action?

By Phil
• 26 January, 2010 - 08:32

Each year, our good friends at the Chesapeake Climate Action Network hold an event called the Polar Bear Plunge, where they gather together a large group to go for a swim to show support for climate action. January in Washington, DC is typically cold, and this year was no exception -- but that didn't stop dozens of concerned citizens from jumping into the frigid Chesapeake Bay, with friends and family members pledging donations to support CCAN's important work. Below are a couple photos showing their commitment to keeping winter cold - by getting back to 350 as soon as possible. 

Also, check out this radio interview with CCAN executive director Mike Tidwell about the importance of the number 350.

Polar Bear Plunge, Annapolis, Maryland, USA

Polar Bear Plunge, Annapolis, Maryland, USA

Video: The Climate Movement, 2009

By Phil
• 21 January, 2010 - 08:09

Yeah, we know we've been posting a lot of videos lately. Here's a new, inspiring one we put together to link many of the great actions and events that took place in 2009 in every corner of the world. As Jamie wrote in his blog post below, all of us expanded the climate movement exponentially in 2009, bringing public pressure to bear on our own leaders, and at the Copenhagen climate talks. We educated our own communities, and helped form coalitions and groups that had never existed before. We couldn't fit all the amazing images and actions from 2009 in this short video, but we think this gives a taste of how inspiring we were last year. This is just the tip of the iceberg - let's define this decade by what we do this year, and go big in 2010.

If you like this video, Take a minute to share this on Twitter and Facebook

or go to this page to send an email to your friends and family about it.

Yeah, We're Still Rocking

By Jamie
• 20 January, 2010 - 17:29

We may be taking a bit of a breather these days after a busy 2009, but don't get the impression that things are too quiet over at 350.org ... our staff are already busy scheming for 2010, and better yet, we've heard reports from New Zealand, Brazil, Malaysia and the United States about big plans for the coming year. The photo below captured some of that explosive energy for me and fired me this afternoon: 

That's Brer Rabbit, an emcee of the Flobots, an alternative rap and rock group out of Colorado that helped fire up an October 24 rally in Boulder. The awesome photo was taken by Ryan Reeves, check out more of his work at frontstagephotography.com. Learn more about the Flobots and get fired up on their website, or check out the rhymes from Jonny 5 on Oct 24:  

Inside American Politics

By Bill McKibben
• 20 January, 2010 - 12:16

Readers in other parts of the world might be curious to know why so much attention has been focused on a single Senate race in the state of Massachusetts. The election, held yesterday to fill a vacancy created by the death of Senator Ted Kennedy, was won by a Republican, Scott Brown. This is unfortunate, because he's said that he doesn't know if human beings cause global warming, and because it strengthens the hand of those in the U.S. Congress who want to take no action. It will make it more difficult to pass global warming legislation in America--and that will make it harder for other countries to set targets.

However, there was also one good piece of news today. The Sierra Club, America's oldest and most important environmental organization, named a new leader today. He's Mike Brune, who used to run the Rainforest Action Network, and he's a real champion of strong action on global warming, and of 350. All of us here think the world of him, and look forward to working with him. 

The Latest Challenge to the Clean Air Act, and how you can help.

By May
• 19 January, 2010 - 16:03

Climate politics in the U.S. are heating up again--this time with a challenge to the Environmental Protection Agency, and its ability to regulate Carbon. This was a hard-fought victory, only recently achieved, which would help the U.S. lower its sky-high emissions. You may remember an effort on behalf of 350 and Center for Biological Diversity to urge the EPA to recogize 350 ppm as the safe cap on carbon.

Today, we're joining forces with many organizations and individuals around the country who are urging US Senators to vote no on the proposed "Murkowsi Amendment," which would curtail the EPA's efforts. Please take a look at the action alert below, and write a letter!

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The Clean Air Act is under attack by big polluters and their allies in Congress. President Obama’s administration has moved forward with a process to enforce long-ignored provisions of the Clean Air Act. The Clean Air Act is the best tool we have to rebuild our economy with clean energy, and to protect our health and our climate from global warming pollution. But big polluters would rather protect their profits and they have friends in high places.
 
As early as Wednesday Jan. 20th, 2010 the Senate could vote on the “Murkowski amendment,” proposed by Alaskan Senator Lisa Murkowski. The amendment will prohibit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from using the Clean Air Act to regulate carbon dioxide. She may attach the amendment as a “rider” on a bill that has nothing to do with climate. She’s also one of the top recipients of campaign contributions from oil companies and electric utilities. This amendment is all about letting fossil fuel polluters keep up business as usual.

The vote is expected to be close and many organizations and their supporters are banding together to defeat the amendment. We need your help: Write to your Senators now and urge them to vote against Murkowski’s big polluter amendment. This link will take you to the website of Friends of the Earth, one of the partners in this effort, and you’ll be able to send your message from there.

 

 

 

North America

350 at the South Pole

By MattFitz
• 19 January, 2010 - 15:46

One of the unexpected delights of our flickr.com photo account is that--even after October 24th and Copenhagen--people continue to send us the most incredible pictures of actions they're taking to create a 350 ppm world. Here is a recent dispatch from one intrepid supporter who hails from my own little piece of California. 

"Hi, 
My name is Khai Nguyen and I live in the Bay Area.

I was in an expedition to ski the last degree to the South Pole.  The ski journey started on Dec 20 2009 and finished at the South Pole on Dec 30.  We skied the last 60 nautical miles to reach 90 degrees south.  I had the 350 logo printed and brought it with me all the way from the San Francisco Bay Area to the South Pole.

Being in Antarctica and at the South Pole is truly an amazing experience and most of all, 350 means even more.  Climate change shows its effect the most in the polar regions and no one wants a melting Antarctica.

The picture taken at the South Pole on Dec 31 2009 (US PST)

Regards

Khai Nguyen"

 

You can see all of your 350 photographs on our flickr site at http://www.flickr.com/photos/350org/ Take them, use them and keep spreading the word!