CORNWALL JOINS GLOBAL DAY OF CLIMATE ACTION TO SPREAD MOST IMPORTANT NUMBER IN THE WORLD
One of Over 2,400 Simultaneous Events in Over 153 Countries
CORNWALL: Cornwall-area citizens are organizing four events to mark October 24th, as part of the largest day of climate change activism ever. They will be among more than 2,400 communities in over 150 countries taking part in a global day of action to urge world leaders to take bold and immediate steps to address climate change and reduce carbon emissions.
The events are organized by a growing group of concerned citizens. “According to spokesperson Susan Towndrow, “There’s no doubt now that people in the Cornwall area want to see real action on climate change before the problem gets any worse.”
The theme for all events is 350. The number 350 refers to parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. 350 ppm is the level that scientists have identified as the safe upper limit of CO2. We are already above this safe zone at about 390 ppm. Unless we are able to drop CO2 levels below 350 ppm this century, there will be irreversible catastrophic global impacts.
This December, world leaders will meet in Copenhagen, Denmark to carve out a new global climate change agreement. The treaty that is currently on the table doesn’t meet this new 350 ppm target. October 24 is an opportunity to influence international climate politics as governments finalize their positions for this global summit.
Cornwall Events
Show of Hands for 350: Youth, adults, families and everyone in between will be gathering in the foyer of the Cornwall Public Library, between 10 – 12 p.m. on October 24th, to show their support for climate action by creating a garland of 350 hands, which will encircle a globe. The resulting “postcard” will be sent to our leaders in Ottawa.
Urban Dream 350: The public is invited to participate in the creation of a 3-D mural to raise awareness on reducing carbon emissions to the 350 level. The mural will represent a dream urban community using only clean energies. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Cornwall Regional Art Gallery, 168 Pitt Street. Contact: Sylvie Lizotte, 613-938-7387
350 Live: Online video clips of 350 activity, coming in live from around the world, will be shown from 12-2 p.m., also at Cornwall Regional Art Gallery.
CCRI CAP Website: The Cornwall Carbon Reduction Initiative’s Climate Awareness Project (CAP) for Youth will feature 350 during the launch of its new, interactive website atwww.capforyouth.ca. Contact: Jen Mattice, 613-932-2088
Around the world on October 24th—from capitol cities to the melting slopes of Mount Everest, even underwater on dying coral reefs—people will hold rallies aimed at focusing attention on the number 350.
“Glaciers and sea ice are melting, drought is spreading, and flooding is on the increase,” said Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org and author of the first major book on climate change. “That’s why we need a huge worldwide movement to give us the momentum to make real political change. Our leaders have heard from major corporations and big polluters for a long time—now, finally, they will be hearing from citizens and scientists.”
Images of the events from around the world, including the events in Cornwall, will be featured on giant video screens in Times Square in New York as part of a 350 countdown, and will be accessible at 350.org as part of an online photostream. Visual documentation from the Day of Action will be delivered to the United Nations the following Monday.
“People have said the science of global warming is too confusing for average citizens to understand,” said McKibben. “These events will prove that millions of people understand exactly what is at stake in the next few years, and that they want swift action to safeguard the future.”
ABOUT 350.ORG
Founded by author and environmentalist Bill McKibben, 350.org is the first large-scale grassroots global campaign against climate change. Its supporters include leading scientists, the governments of 92 countries, and a huge variety of environmental, health, development and religious NGOs. All agree that current atmospheric levels of CO2—390 parts per million—are causing damage to the planet and to its most vulnerable people, and that government action at the Copenhagen climate conference is required to bring the earth’s carbon level swiftly down to 350 ppm.
For more information, visit www.350.org.
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