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Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon "All agree that climate change is an existential threat to humankind" http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/26/opinion/26iht-edban.html
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==Goals==
==Goals==
The 350 movement is treating the 350ppm cap as a rallying cry for the upcoming [[COP15]] international treaty.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.cop15.dk/ |title=Home - COP15 United Nations Climate Change Conference Copenhagen 2009 |publisher=en.cop15.dk |accessdate=2009-09-15 }}</ref> 350 member Alec Appelbaum stated that "We need global compacts to enforce carbon caps, because emissions change the climate whether or not they come from regulated sources. But we also need ingenious businesses to make those caps meaningful. That’s true because no matter how severely we warp the climate, we have to go on living."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thefastertimes.com/greeneconomy/2009/09/01/how-climate-change-gets-a-target-number-and-why-its-350/ |title=How a Carbon Cap Number Can Make Millionaires | Green Economy |publisher=thefastertimes.com |accessdate=2009-09-15 }}</ref>
The 350 movement is treating the 350ppm cap as a rallying cry for the upcoming [[COP15]] international treaty.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.cop15.dk/ |title=Home - COP15 United Nations Climate Change Conference Copenhagen 2009 |publisher=en.cop15.dk |accessdate=2009-09-15 }}</ref> 350 member Alec Appelbaum stated that "We need global compacts to enforce carbon caps, because emissions change the climate whether or not they come from regulated sources. But we also need ingenious businesses to make those caps meaningful. That’s true because no matter how severely we warp the climate, we have to go on living."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thefastertimes.com/greeneconomy/2009/09/01/how-climate-change-gets-a-target-number-and-why-its-350/ |title=How a Carbon Cap Number Can Make Millionaires | Green Economy |publisher=thefastertimes.com |accessdate=2009-09-15 }}</ref> 350.org's concerns are shared by many including [[Secretary-General of the United Nations]] [[Ban Ki-moon]], who stated "All agree that climate change is an [[existential]] threat to [[humankind]]," in an op-ed article published by The New York Times. <ref> http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/26/opinion/26iht-edban.html </ref>


==Activities==
==Activities==

Revision as of 19:44, 26 October 2009

350
TypeNGO
Purposecut CO2 emissions 80% by 2050
Websitewww.350.org

350.org[1] is an international,[2] environmental[3] organization, headed by author Bill McKibben,[4] with the goal of cutting atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions to 80% by 2050,[5] from 2006 baseline emissions of 9,180 million tons of carbon.[6] 350.org takes its name from the research of NASA scientist James Hansen, who posited in a 2007 paper that 350 parts-per-million (ppm) of CO2 in the atmosphere is a safe upper limit to avoid a climate tipping point.[7][8][9][10][11] The current level is 389 ppm of CO2. The pre-industrial revolution level was 278 ppm.[12] In 1988 the earth's atmosphere surpassed the 350 ppm mark.[13]

Origins

350.org founder McKibben speaks at RIT

The organization was co-founded by Jamie Henn[14][15] and author Bill McKibben,[16] an American environmentalist and writer who frequently writes about global warming, alternative energy, and the need for more localised economies. October 24, 2009, is the International Day of Climate Action, coordinated by this group. McKibben promotes the organisation, for instance by writing articles about it for many major newspapers and media, such the Los Angeles Times[17] and The Guardian.[18]

The organising effort drew its name from climate scientist James Hansen's contention in winter 2008 that any atmospheric concentration of CO2 above 350 parts per million was unsafe.

If humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which civilization developed and to which life on Earth is adapted, paleoclimate evidence and ongoing climate change suggest that CO2 will need to be reduced from its current 385 ppm to at most 350 ppm, but likely less than that.

— 5px, in James Hansen[19], NASA, 5px

McKibben's first started to organize against global warming with a walk across Vermont, his home state. His "Step It Up" campaign in 2007 involved 1,400 demonstrations at famous sites across the United States. McKibben credits these activities with making Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama change their energy policies during the presidential campaign. Later, the meltdown of the polar caps pushed him into starting 350.org, based on Hansen's 2007 book Climate Code Red.[20]

Rajendra Pachauri, the U.N.'s "top climate scientist" and leader of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has come out in favor of reducing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide to 350ppm.[21][22][23] McKibben called news of Pachauri's embrace of the 350ppm target "amazing".[24] Some media have indicated that Pachauri's endorsement of the 350ppm target was a victory for 350.org's activism.[25][26][27]

The organisation had a lift in prominence after founder McKibben appeared on The Colbert Report television show on Monday August 17, 2009.[28][29][30]

The organisation intends to spread the message through social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.[31][32]

Goals

The 350 movement is treating the 350ppm cap as a rallying cry for the upcoming COP15 international treaty.[33] 350 member Alec Appelbaum stated that "We need global compacts to enforce carbon caps, because emissions change the climate whether or not they come from regulated sources. But we also need ingenious businesses to make those caps meaningful. That’s true because no matter how severely we warp the climate, we have to go on living."[34] 350.org's concerns are shared by many including Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon, who stated "All agree that climate change is an existential threat to humankind," in an op-ed article published by The New York Times. [35]

Activities

International Day of Climate Action

An "International Day of Climate Action" on October 24, 2009, was organized by 350.org to influence politicians and pressure nations to adopt the 350ppm goal.[36] This is the first global campaign ever organized around a scientific data point.[37]

The actions proposed by 350.org include walks, marches or rallies, teach-ins, bike rides, sing-a-thons, carbon-free dinners with friends or volunteering to help retrofit houses for the day.[38] Actions should be registered on 350.org. More than more 5,400 events have been enrolled around the world – including 350 trees planted in Bangladesh, 350 scuba divers diving at the Great Barrier Reef, 350 paellas being solar-cooked in a Barcelona square, 350 pumpkins being piled up in a farmers' markets.[38] There are commitments from thousands of churches to ring their bells 350 times during the day. There is also a huge screen planned for the United Nations headquarters in New York, to showcase the images uploaded from around the world on the day.[38] On October 24, organizers expected 3,500 demonstrations for 350.org in 170 countries.[39]

As an example action, Friends of the Earth Middle East organized a joint Israeli-Palestinian-Jordanian event at the Dead Sea. The NGO hopes to attract thousands to create the numbers 350 on either side of the Jordan River.[40] Across the globe, 350.org co-ordinated efforts of volunteers to influence the delegates going to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change meeting in December, 2009 (COP15).[41]

  • The President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, presided over the world’s first underwater cabinet meeting on Oct. 17, 2009, off the island of Girifushi, to draw global attention to the pressing issue of climate change. A senior official in the Maldivian Presidential Secretariat said that the underwater meeting was part of a wider campaign by international environmental NGO 350.org.[42][43]
  • Some people will walk 350 miles with their walks ending on October 24, 2009.[44][45] Distribution of armbands to athletes, for example the Boston-based Project Cycling organization have agreed to race for 350.org,[46][47][48] wearing 350.org armbands and talking about how good bicycling is for fighting climate change.[49]
  • Afghan youth will create a giant chalk image of "350" on the side of a mountain in the Hindu Kush.[50]

By October 19, 2009, almost 2,500 events had been registered in 152 countries.[51][52]

On October 24th, 2009, over 5,400 synchronized demonstrations occurred worldwide.[53][54][55]

Tree plantings

Tree plantings, usually of 350 trees in each instance, are conducted worldwide by the group, including Australia,[56][57] Ireland,[58] and United States (New York[59] and Guam).[60] Native tree sales are also planned.[61] Live trees, and other plants, breath in carbon dioxide, capturing carbon as a carbon sink, and respirate oxygen.[citation needed]

Promoting the term "350"

City councils, such as the one in Sackville, New Brunswick, have agreed to use the term "350.org" as the motto of the day.[62] The number "350" was spelled out on Kelburn Park in Wellington, New Zealand, by the students from Victoria University's Environmental Studies Program.[63] and the organization orchestrated the display of another "human 350" outside Senator Barbara Boxer's office in San Francisco in June, 2008.[64] In Floyd County, Virginia, a group photograph of concerned citizens holding a 350 banner against the backdrop of the Buffalo Mountain is planned.[65]

In 2008, the group published full-page adverts in papers such as the New York Times and the Swedish Falukuriren calling for the target level of carbon dioxide to be lowered to 350ppm. The adverts were backed by 150 signatories, including James Hansen.[66]

At the UN climate talks of 2009 in Bonn, 350.org created "spectacular aerial art" of an exclamation point with the message "Yes You Can".[67]

Polling

350.org is involved in conducting polls on the subject of climate change.[68][69]

Youth movements

In August, 2009, 30 Caribbean youths from 13 countries converged in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic for the Caribbean Youth Environment Network's (CYEN) "4th Youth Exchange".[70] As a part of the week long Exchange, 350.org worked with CYEN to organize a 3-day long training on climate change advocacy, media, and the UN process.[71]

350.org held a session titled Creative Climate Action: 350.org and the International Children Climate Movement at the 2009 UNEP Tunza International Children and Youth Conference in South Korea.[72]

Lobbying government

In Australia, where 350.org is supported over 20 organisations including Greenpeace,[73] the organisation has urged the federal government to lower its less ambitious target of 450ppm.

Internet domains

The organisation is part of a campaign to establish a .ECO top-level domain or "tld".[74]

Membership

350.org is allied with 200 organisations around the world and has enlisted "350 messengers" who have publicly allied themselves with the organisation or its goal to spread the 350 movement,[38][75] including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Bianca Jagger, and David Suzuki.[76]

See also

References

  1. ^ On the 350.org website they identify themselves in their mission statement as 350.org rather than 350. They state: "350.org is an international campaign dedicated to building a movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis--the solutions that science and justice demand."
  2. ^ In a Mother Jones article, it states that "350.org is an international organization calling everyday citizens to action with the belief that raising awareness around the number 350 will put pressure on world leaders to aggressively address climate change, causing a paradigm shift in how individual countries approach a global problem."
  3. ^ In an Otago Daily Times article, 350.org is described as "an environmental organisation which is trying to reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, in the atmosphere from more than 385 parts per million to 350 parts per million."
  4. ^ http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/green/detail?entry_id=49644
  5. ^ "Our Team's History". www.350.org. Retrieved 2009-10-18. {{cite web}}: Text "350.org" ignored (help)
  6. ^ "Bookstore - Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization". www.earth-policy.org. Retrieved 2009-10-20. {{cite web}}: Text "Chapter 13. The Great Mobilization: Summing Up Climate Stabilization Measures" ignored (help); Text "EPI" ignored (help)
  7. ^ http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/124985.html
  8. ^ “Fact sheet: The need for mitigation.” UNFCCC: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. June 2009. (Retrieved 2009-09-01.)
  9. ^ “350 Science,” 350.org (Retrieved 2009-09-01.)
  10. ^ McKibben, Bill. “Remember This: 350 Parts Per Million,” The Washington Post. December 28, 2007. (Retrieved 2009-09-01.)
  11. ^ Spyros, George. “350: The Most Important Number of Your Lifetime,” Treehugger. April 14, 2008. (Retrieved 2009-09-01.)
  12. ^ Blasing, T.J. “Recent Greenhouse Gas Concentrations,” CDIAC: Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center. July 2009. (Retrieved 2009-09-01.)
  13. ^ "South Lincoln County News". www.southlincolncountynews.com. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
  14. ^ "Reality Report: Bill McKibben". globalpublicmedia.com. Retrieved 2009-10-22. {{cite web}}: Text "Global Public Media" ignored (help)
  15. ^ "Reality Report: Jamie Henn of 350.org". globalpublicmedia.com. Retrieved 2009-10-22. {{cite web}}: Text "Global Public Media" ignored (help)
  16. ^ "No Impact Man and the Idiotocracy -- The Projectionist". nymag.com. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
  17. ^ "Can 350.org save the world? - Los Angeles Times". articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
  18. ^ "Why 350 is the most important number on the planet". guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-09-26. {{cite web}}: Text "Environment" ignored (help); Text "Opinion" ignored (help); Text "The Guardian" ignored (help)
  19. ^ Hansen, J., et al. “Target atmospheric CO2: Where should humanity aim?” Open Atmos. Sci. J., 2, 217-231, 2008. (Retrieved 2009-09-01.)
  20. ^ "350 and counting - Haaretz - Israel News". www.haaretz.com. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
  21. ^ "Pachauri's call for 350ppm is breakthrough moment for climate movement". guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-09-15. {{cite web}}: Text "Bill McKibben" ignored (help); Text "Environment" ignored (help); Text "guardian.co.uk" ignored (help)
  22. ^ "Climate Debate: IPCC Head Pachauri Joins the 350 Club - Environmental Capital - WSJ". blogs.wsj.com. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
  23. ^ "AFP: Top UN climate scientist backs ambitious CO2 cuts". www.google.com. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
  24. ^ "The Great Beyond: Pachauri endorses 350ppm CO2 target". blogs.nature.com. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
  25. ^ "Activist Victory: UN's top climate scientist endorses 350 ppm goal (Stop Global Warming - Change.org)". globalwarming.change.org. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
  26. ^ "350.org - UN Scientist Rajendra Pachauri - Colbert Bump for 350.org - thedailygreen.com". thedailygreen.com. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
  27. ^ "UN Scientist Claims 350 PPM Is New Magic Number". www.triplepundit.com. Retrieved 2009-09-17. {{cite web}}: Text "Triple Pundit" ignored (help)
  28. ^ "The Colbert Report Full Episode". www.comedycentral.com. Retrieved 2009-09-18. {{cite web}}: Text "Comedy Central" ignored (help); Text "Monday Aug 17 2009" ignored (help)
  29. ^ "ABC7.com Green Content - 350.org enjoys the 'Colbert bump'". www.greenrightnow.com. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
  30. ^ "Bill McKibben". www.colbertnation.com. Retrieved 2009-09-17. {{cite web}}: Text "ColbertNation.com" ignored (help); Text "The Colbert Report 05112" ignored (help)
  31. ^ "YouTube - 350.org: Because the world needs to know". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
  32. ^ "GreenPolicyProf". greenpolicyprof.org. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
  33. ^ "Home - COP15 United Nations Climate Change Conference Copenhagen 2009". en.cop15.dk. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
  34. ^ "How a Carbon Cap Number Can Make Millionaires". thefastertimes.com. Retrieved 2009-09-15. {{cite web}}: Text "Green Economy" ignored (help)
  35. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/26/opinion/26iht-edban.html
  36. ^ "theVARSITY.ca - Countdown to Copenhagen - Comment". www.thevarsity.ca. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
  37. ^ "Aspen to spell it out: 'Save Snow'". aspentimes.com. Retrieved 2009-10-20. {{cite web}}: Text "AspenTimes.com" ignored (help)
  38. ^ a b c d "Take Action - Campaigns - 350.org - the ultimate climate change campaign? - The Ecologist". www.theecologist.org. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  39. ^ "McKibben's movement: 350 ppm". news.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2009-10-20. {{cite web}}: Text "Harvard Gazette Online" ignored (help)
  40. ^ "350-degree turnaround needed in climate change talks". www.jpost.com. Retrieved 2009-09-15. {{cite web}}: Text "Jerusalem Post" ignored (help); Text "Science and Environment" ignored (help)
  41. ^ "350: The magic number › Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion". www.japantoday.com. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
  42. ^ "Maldives Holds Underwater Cabinet Meeting To Bring Attention to Climate Change : TreeHugger". www.treehugger.com. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
  43. ^ "The Hindu : News / International : Maldives cabinet to meet underwater to highlight perils of climate change". beta.thehindu.com. Retrieved 2009-10-17.
  44. ^ "The World Link : Activist's 350-mile trek highlights climate change". www.theworldlink.com. Retrieved 2009-09-22.
  45. ^ "Why I am walking 350 miles - OregonLive.com". www.oregonlive.com. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
  46. ^ "MetLife Returns For A Second Year As Professional Cycling Teams Title Sponsor". www.reuters.com. Retrieved 2009-09-18. {{cite web}}: Text "Reuters" ignored (help)
  47. ^ "Bloomberg Printer-Friendly Page". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
  48. ^ "2009 Press Releases at MetLife". www.metlife.com. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
  49. ^ "Athletes". www.350.org. Retrieved 2009-09-18. {{cite web}}: Text "350.org" ignored (help)
  50. ^ "Bloomington and the world campaign against climate change". www.bloomingtonalternative.com. Retrieved 2009-10-19. {{cite web}}: Text "The Bloomington Alternative" ignored (help)
  51. ^ "Green Left - Target 350: climate protests go global". www.greenleft.org.au. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
  52. ^ "Day of Climate Action: 2,250 Events, 152 Countries". solveclimate.com. Retrieved 2009-10-15. {{cite web}}: Text "SolveClimate.com" ignored (help)
  53. ^ Campaign Against Emissions Picks Number -NYTimes.com
  54. ^ International day of demonstrations on climate change - CNN.com
  55. ^ "Group Holds '350' Climate Change Rally In SF - cbs5.com". cbs5.com. Retrieved 2009-10-26.
  56. ^ "Green Left - Oil, gas and coal: climate vandalism in WA". www.greenleft.org.au. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
  57. ^ "Challenge from BDC to make target '350'". www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au. Retrieved 2009-09-18. {{cite web}}: Text "Coffs Coast Advocate" ignored (help); Text "Local News" ignored (help)
  58. ^ "Local Fruit Tree Planting Project is Blossoming - The Manchester Journal". www.manchesterjournal.com. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
  59. ^ "Sustainability Coalition Hosts Planning Meeting for Climate Change Campaign - WIVT/WBGH Newschannel34". www.newschannel34.com. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
  60. ^ "Guam joins Global Day of Climate Action". guampdn.com. Retrieved 2009-10-07. {{cite web}}: Text "Pacific Daily News" ignored (help); Text "guampdn.com" ignored (help)
  61. ^ "Fort Myers native plant sale offers positive ways to reduce carbon dioxide levels". news-press.com. Retrieved 2009-10-18. {{cite web}}: Text "The News-Press" ignored (help); Text "news-press.com" ignored (help)
  62. ^ "timestranscript.com - Sackville goes green - Breaking News, New Brunswick, Canada". timestranscript.canadaeast.com. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
  63. ^ "Stand up to make a statement". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2009-09-17. {{cite web}}: Text "Stuff.co.nz" ignored (help)
  64. ^ "FinancialContent.com - Stock Quotes and Business News". finance.sfgate.com. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
  65. ^ "'350 gives us a target' - SWVAToday.com". www.swvatoday.com. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
  66. ^ "Put oil firm chiefs on trial, says leading climate change scientist". guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-09-18. {{cite web}}: Text "Environment" ignored (help); Text "The Guardian" ignored (help)
  67. ^ "Via Spectacular Aerial Art, 350.org Tells Climate Negotiatiors Time is Ticking : TreeHugger". www.treehugger.com. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
  68. ^ "Survey: Asians see Obama as man to lead fight on climate change : Environment". www.earthtimes.org. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
  69. ^ "People of Asia want their governments to act - COP15 United Nations Climate Change Conference Copenhagen 2009". en.cop15.dk. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
  70. ^ "Caribbean Youth Leaders Want to be on Government Delegations to United Nations Climate Change Conference". www.caribbeanpressreleases.com. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
  71. ^ "Caribbean Youth Call for 350ppm, Urgent Action in Copenhagen « It's Getting Hot In Here". itsgettinghotinhere.org. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
  72. ^ "Kids urge leaders to do more to protect Earth - INSIDE JoongAng Daily". joongangdaily.joins.com. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
  73. ^ "Greenies urge Australia to lead world". smh.com.au. Retrieved 2009-10-16.
  74. ^ "StreetInsider.com - Dot Eco LLC and 350.org Announce Mutual Support of Their Missions to Rise to the Challenge of the Climate Crisis". www.streetinsider.com. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
  75. ^ "Emergency Appeal - Please, We Urgently Need Your Help Now!". www.zmag.org. Retrieved 2009-10-26.
  76. ^ "International day of demonstrations on climate change - CNN.com". cnn.com. Retrieved 2009-10-26.
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