Project EVIE Blog

350 — the number that is the safe, upper limit of carbon dioxide. The problem is, our disrespect for the environment has caused CO2 levels to climb far past that. The world is endangered. Scientists worry that if we continue on this path, sea levels will rise, the polar ice caps will melt, and there will be more droughts, heat waves, floods, and severe storms that will result in a global catastrophe — one that will be most pronounced in the developing world.

As we all know, this December the world’s leaders will come together in Copenhagen to discuss the environmental crisis and draft a new global climate treaty. However, we also know that many of them are not approaching this as seriously as they need to. We’re worried they won’t do enough to turn our destructive behaviors around.

There have been many efforts to get the message through. On October 15^th, more than 13,000 blogs and 18 million readers participated in Blog Action Day. Its mission was to raise awareness about climate change, change the flow of web conversation, and create a global discussion of the issue. Overwhelmingly, everyone together increased the number of posts on climate change by approximately 500%.

But the work isn’t done yet. So, on Saturday, October 24^th, the world will follow up these efforts with the International Day of Climate Action. 350.org is asking you to organize at important places within your communities, somehow incorporate the number 350 into an activity, take a picture of the event, and upload it to the website. Then, 350.org will send all of them to world leaders and media sources to raise awareness of our global concern over the environmental crisis.

People have planned pumpkin carvings, tree plantings, movie screenings, and potlucks. There are marches, bike rides, and city tours. They’re gathering for yoga and meditation. And that’s hardly the whole list.

Tomorrow, remember to get involved to send the message: climate change needs to end. The more people that participate, the stronger our voice will be. Click here to find an event near you. We’ll be out all day in New York, Chicago, and Paris. So what are you planning to do on Saturday?