350.org

350.org

bill-mckibben2
If you’ve been watching television or checking your favorite web sites lately, you’ve noticed one number keeps popping up. On October 24rd in particular people around the world have been plastering the number 350 on billboards, marching with it on signs and performing physical stunts to share this number with as many people as possible. Groups numbering in the thousands have gathered across the U.S. and in many countries to spell out 350 on surfaces from grassy fields, to mountain summits, to the open ocean. Writer and environmental activist Bill McKibben says 350 is a number we all need to be aware of.
“It’s the most important number in the world. It’s the amount of carbon, that’s measured in parts per million, that the scientists now say is the most we can have in the atmosphere and maintain the civilization that we now enjoy,” McKibben said. “We’re past that number already. We need to get back to it. That’s why the stakes are so urgent.”350_2

Back in 1988 McKibben made one of the earliest cases outlining the modern crisis known now as global warming. His book “The End of Nature,” chronicled the research that followed the rise of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere due to human activity and the resulting temperature increase around the world. Today this climate change threatens life on our planet putting at risk every plant and animal species including human beings.

As CO2 levels exceed 350 parts per million McKibben warns that we have past the point where we can do nothing and not face dire consequences. Through a program called 350.org he aims to lead an international movement to raise awareness for the plight of global warming and what individuals, institutions and governments can do the stop it.

Music this week by The Ahn Trio from the album Lullaby For My Favorite Insomniac . Find their playlist and a schedule of upcoming shows online at www.AhnTrio.com.Ahn-Trio

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8 Comments
  • Hostelling
    Posted at 22:42h, 25 October

    Small efforts often lead to more efforts and sometimes greater efforts. And pretty soon, each of us is a part of the solution in our own way. And best of all, most of the time it’s fun.
    In the course of planning this climate action I have experienced the power of taking action – like a pebble falling in water, the ripples never stop reaching out.

  • Hostelling
    Posted at 22:42h, 25 October

    Small efforts often lead to more efforts and sometimes greater efforts. And pretty soon, each of us is a part of the solution in our own way. And best of all, most of the time it’s fun.
    In the course of planning this climate action I have experienced the power of taking action – like a pebble falling in water, the ripples never stop reaching out.

  • Joe Galliani
    Posted at 00:11h, 26 October

    I find Bill McKibben such an inspiration and a wonderful role model in a world so desperately in need of forces for good. I hope Bill knows how much energy and motivation we get from him.
    I was touched when Bill said he no longer thinks in terms of optimism or pessimism he just gets up and does the work he can each day. I know how Bill feels.
    I frequently quote the late Italian political theorist, Antonio Gramsci, who wrote in his Gramsci: Letters from Prison,… Read More
    “I’m a pessimist because of intelligence,but an optimist because of will.”
    We have no choice. We must do everything we can every single day while we still can. And we should rejoice that we have others at our side, across the street, around the world and in our hearts who will be there with us every single step of the way.

  • Joe Galliani
    Posted at 00:11h, 26 October

    I find Bill McKibben such an inspiration and a wonderful role model in a world so desperately in need of forces for good. I hope Bill knows how much energy and motivation we get from him.
    I was touched when Bill said he no longer thinks in terms of optimism or pessimism he just gets up and does the work he can each day. I know how Bill feels.
    I frequently quote the late Italian political theorist, Antonio Gramsci, who wrote in his Gramsci: Letters from Prison,… Read More
    “I’m a pessimist because of intelligence,but an optimist because of will.”
    We have no choice. We must do everything we can every single day while we still can. And we should rejoice that we have others at our side, across the street, around the world and in our hearts who will be there with us every single step of the way.

  • Joe Galliani
    Posted at 16:06h, 21 September

    I find Bill McKibben such an inspiration and a wonderful role model in a world so desperately in need of forces for good. I hope Bill knows how much energy and motivation we get from him.
    I was touched when Bill said he no longer thinks in terms of optimism or pessimism he just gets up and does the work he can each day. I know how Bill feels.
    I frequently quote the late Italian political theorist, Antonio Gramsci, who wrote in his Gramsci: Letters from Prison,… Read More
    “I’m a pessimist because of intelligence,but an optimist because of will.”
    We have no choice. We must do everything we can every single day while we still can. And we should rejoice that we have others at our side, across the street, around the world and in our hearts who will be there with us every single step of the way.

  • Joe Galliani
    Posted at 16:06h, 21 September

    I find Bill McKibben such an inspiration and a wonderful role model in a world so desperately in need of forces for good. I hope Bill knows how much energy and motivation we get from him.
    I was touched when Bill said he no longer thinks in terms of optimism or pessimism he just gets up and does the work he can each day. I know how Bill feels.
    I frequently quote the late Italian political theorist, Antonio Gramsci, who wrote in his Gramsci: Letters from Prison,… Read More
    “I’m a pessimist because of intelligence,but an optimist because of will.”
    We have no choice. We must do everything we can every single day while we still can. And we should rejoice that we have others at our side, across the street, around the world and in our hearts who will be there with us every single step of the way.

  • Hostelling
    Posted at 16:06h, 21 September

    Small efforts often lead to more efforts and sometimes greater efforts. And pretty soon, each of us is a part of the solution in our own way. And best of all, most of the time it’s fun.
    In the course of planning this climate action I have experienced the power of taking action – like a pebble falling in water, the ripples never stop reaching out.

  • Hostelling
    Posted at 16:06h, 21 September

    Small efforts often lead to more efforts and sometimes greater efforts. And pretty soon, each of us is a part of the solution in our own way. And best of all, most of the time it’s fun.
    In the course of planning this climate action I have experienced the power of taking action – like a pebble falling in water, the ripples never stop reaching out.