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.
See all the 350 photos on Flickr »
Africa |
S.Asia |
E.Asia |
Europe |
N.America |
S.America |
Australia & NZ |
Pacific
What does the number 350 mean?
350 is the most important number in the world—it's what scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Two years ago, after leading climatologists observed rapid ice melt in the Arctic and other frightening signs of climate change, they issued a series of studies showing that the planet faced both human and natural disaster if atmospheric concentrations of CO2 remained above 350 parts per million.
Everyone from Al Gore to the U.N.’s top climate scientist has now embraced this goal as necessary for stabilizing the planet and preventing complete disaster. Now the trick is getting our leaders to pay attention and craft policies that will put the world on track to get to 350.
Is 350 scientifically possible?
Right now, mostly because we’ve burned so much fossil fuel, the atmospheric concentration of co2 is 390 ppm—that’s way too high, and it’s why ice is melting, drought is spreading, forests are dying. To bring that number down, the first task is to stop putting more carbon into the atmosphere. That means a very fast transition to sun and wind and other renewable forms of power. If we can stop pouring more carbon into the atmosphere, then forests and oceans will slowly suck some of it out of the air and return us to safe levels.
Is 350 politically possible?
It’s very hard. It means switching off fossil fuel much more quickly than governments and corporations have been planning. Our best chance to speed up that process will come in December in Copenhagen, when the world’s nations meet to agree on a new climate treaty. Right now, they’re not planning to do enough. But we can change that--if we mobilize the world to swift and bold climate action.
What is the day of action?
On October 24, the International Day of Climate Action covered almost every country on earth, the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet’s history.
There will be big rallies in big cities, and incredible creative actions across the globe: mountain climbers on our highest peaks with banners, underwater demonstrations in island nations threatened by sea level rise, churches and mosques and synagogues and ashrams engaged in symbolic action, star athletes organizing mass bike rides--and hundreds upon hundreds of community events to raise awareness of the need for urgent action.
Every event will highlight the number 350--and people will gather at some point for a big group photo depicting that all important message. At 350.org, we'll assemble all the photos for a gigantic, global, visual petition.
The thousands of events on October 24 will drive 350 and all that it represents into the human imagination, and change the negotiating environment as we head towards the crucial UN Climate Negotiations in Copenhagen in December of 2009. Copenhagen may well be the pivotal moment that determines whether or not we get the planet out of the climate crisis, and your actions on October 24 will help our leaders realize we need a real solution that pays attention to the science.
How will this make a difference?
October 24 has finally put the focus where it needs to be: on the science and the citizens, not the special interests and the backroom deals.
People have sent in thousands of images of citizens gathering at important places around the world—from the melting peaks of Mt. Everest to the sinking beaches of the Maldives—displaying the number 350 in a creative way. 350.org staff will display these photos on the big screens in Times Square and projecting them at the UN headquarters. Those photos are appearing in newspapers large and small—the same newspapers that politicians all over the world use as a barometer of public opinion. We're also delivering copies of the images—and the stories that go with them—to national delegates, environment ministers, and heads of state the world over.
But more importantly, grassroots global action will be useful to put pressure on the huge UN Climate meeting in Copenhagen. Together we can remind our leaders that they need to take physical reality—and not political expediency—into account when they're making decisions about our collective future. 350 is a clear and specific goal (unlike vague demands to "stop global warming") that helps move the negotiations in the direction science and justice demand. We'll make sure your voice is heard, and this debate is re-framed in time to make a difference.
350 Updates
I am ready for an ambitious, fair, and binding global climate deal. I call on world leaders to pass climate policies based on sound science and strong enough to get us back to 350.
Thanks for making the pledge!
Thanks for adding your voice to the climate pledge—your name will be added to a global call to action from millions of people all over the world.
We'll deliver this pledge to the United Nations and world leaders at the Copenhagen Climate Summit. Please get everyone you know to sign on in 10 seconds or less--just click here to share the call to action on Facebook, and here to spread the word on Twitter.
350 Buzz on Twitter!
Read more tweets about 350 » Follow 350 on Twitter »
To have your twitter posts show up here, include #350ppm or 350.org in your tweet! See our guide to learn more about twitter.
The Science of 350
Scientists say that 350 parts per million CO2 in the atmosphere is the safe limit for humanity. Learn more about 350 – what it means, where it came from, and how to get there. Read More »
Featured Updates
Not Done Yet.
You've always counted on us to tell the truth, and it would be useless to pretend we're happy with the outcome of the Copenhagen climate talks.... Read Post »
Two Unusual Requests
Apologies again for bombarding you with updates, but we're in the final stretch here at Copenhagen and I hope you can join us in doing two unusual things. They're unusual things for us to ask, but this is an unusual moment.... Read Post »
Copenhagen: Inside and Outside
Since we're all working on the same team, we wanted to give you an inside/outside sense of all that's happening in one of the more important weeks in the history of this ball of rock and water we call the earth...Read Post »
To submit your photos and action reports to 350.org, please click here.
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 create the political change to steer towards 350?
- 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?
- And what about all the other targets people are aiming for?
- Why October 24th?
- Why another organization--there are already too many things going on!
- Do you measure 350 in CO2 or CO2e?
More...
Donate to350
Support an international movement to solve the climate crisis. Whether 3.50, 35.00, or 350.00, euros, dollars, or pesos, your contribution helps us keep going.
***To make a donation, please visit http://www.350.org/donate***
350 Store
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350 Music
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