350 is the most important number on the planet.
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350 Updates
Asia The Arab World Unites to Fight Climate Change
The Middle East produces more than 40% of the oil consumed worldwide. It's an unlikely region for a grassroots climate network to be born. Yesterday, that's just what happened. The Arab Climate Alliiance, a coalition of more than 15 Arab non-profit organizations and foundations, was launched to promote the use of clean energy, energy conservation and to work with Arab communities affected by water shortages.
- Asia
Worldchanging.com: China's Green Beat
I wrote this piece for WorldChanging.com, a fantastic website, blog, and much, much, more run by one of our messengers Alex Steffen. It's just one example of the incredible stories of climate activism around the world.
Now that the "Green" Olympics in Beijing have ended, what is the future for sustainability in China?
The Olympics brought a new level of scrutiny to China's looming environmental crisis. Whether it was the science fiction-like infestation of fluorescent green algae in Qingdao's Olympic sailing harbor or the toxic smog that blanketed Beijing just days before the opening ceremonies, pollution seemed close to crashing China's coming-out party.
Africa Accra Update: What's Happening Behind Closed Doors
The UN climate negotiations in Accra, Ghana continued over the weekend, with reports of general progress on the forest and industry negotiations. Much of the negotiations have been taking place behind closed doors, away from civil society, so not all is known about what is being discussed. Members of CAN International are on the scene in Accra and are working hard to bring updates from the NGO camp of the closed-door negotiations. For CAN's daily ECO publications, check out http://www.climatenetwork.org/eco/accra-ecos.
Chris Henschel from the Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society is also there, contributing updates on his blog at climateforests.blogspost.com. His sense on the forestry issue is that:
"So far, the most vocal countries have focused on changing the system so that it provides greater 'incentives' for forest management practices that will mitigate climate change. Translation: they want it to be easier to generate credits as incentive and reward for action. The main problem I see with this focus is that it leads Parties away from a mandatory requirement to reduce emissions in this sector and towards a system where they can only be rewarded for incremental improvements and not punished for status quo emissions."
For more analysis of the ongoing talks and how the NGO community is working to influence the policy changes being discussed, check out his blog at climateforests.blogspot.com.
We're all New Orlenians, Bangladeshis, Australians, Indonesians...
When people ask me why I work on climate change when there are so many other urgent problems afflicting the planet and its people, I usually respond with a glib "Because climate change is a civilizational issue, not just an environmental one." Sometimes the comment clicks, and I get a vigorous head-nod. Other times, it's more rolled eyes than head-nods.
North America Coal Plants and Politics: Surprising Sources of Hope
The United States is obviously the largest global warming villain on earth--it's pumped more carbon into the atmosphere, for a longer stretch of time, than anyone else, and under President Bush the U.S. has refused to enter into serious negotiations with the rest of the planet. But every once in a while something comes along that gives you a little hope, and this week there were two:
In the western state of Colorado--a bastion of mining interests--the big electric utility Xcel announced it would shut down down two coal-fired power plants in the state and in their place build one of the world's largest utility-scale solar power plants. This is the frist time...
- Africa
Developments in Accra
The Accra UN meeting kicked off with more discussion of sectoral targets. Under this kind of system, countries would commit to reducing emissions from particular part of the economy (cement production, for example), instead of committing to a country-wide cap on emissions.
This may help relieve an impasse between developed and developing countries, but it is unclear (and somewhat unlikely) whether sectoral targets alone will reduce emissions in time to get to 350.
For more of an inside scoop, our friends at Taking it Global are blogging the conference also.
- Asia
New Ally! Roots & Shoots Shanghai
We're pleased to introduce one of our newest allies, Roots & Shoots Shanghai! They're part of the worldwide network of Roots & Shoots organizations founde by Jane Goodall.
I had the opportunity to meet up with Roots & Shoots while on a recent organizing trip to China. They're exactly the type of group we're looking to partner with: grassroots, full of energy, and engaging hundreds of people in positive solutions to global warming.
Read on to learn more about their work and the global Roots & Shoots network:
- Africa
Accra: Not Just a Rest Stop!
This coming Thursday marks the start date for the United Nations Climate Conference in Accra, Ghana. This is the next in the series of international meetings to craft a new international climate change treaty. Unlike in Bonn, Germany, we aren't able to send a 350 delegate, but all the same, we will follow the meeting closely and keep you updated on our blog!
The Accra meeting is set to take up issues concerning nuclear power and forestry, some of the most controversial issues within the process. The controversy surrounding nuclear power hardly needs to be explained. As for forestry, the photo above was taken at the Bali climate meeting, and there will likely be similar political statements made in Accra. REDD stands for "reducing emissions from deforestation in developing countires," and it is a mechanism currently under consideration in Accra.
- Asia
The Green Long March
Check out this video of the Green Long March, China's largest youth conservation movement, and read on to find out how you can show your solidarity by taking action in your community:
When I spoke with our Chinese allies, they mentioned how important it would be to them to know that people around the world appreciated their work and were taking action with them. Right now, while the whole world is watching the Olympics, is our best chance to demonstrate our solidarity with the people working to create a truly green future for China.
Can you organize a sports-themed 350 action in your community during the Olympics?
It's easy: gather your friends together after an athletic activity and take a team photo with a 350 sign. Then, upload it to 350.org with a “sports” label. Take action before the Olympics end on August 23, and we'll send your photo to our Chinese allies so they can see your support.
You'll be taking action with some of the world's top athletes.
This month, we've launched 350Athletes, an elite band of high-profile sports stars leading the charge for the call to 350. The team even includes Olympians like cyclist Adam Craig. Sports are a great way to reach out to new people – whether they're climate organizers half-way around the world or sports-fans in your neighborhood. Please join the 350Athletes and our Chinese allies by taking action during this Olympics.
- Asia
The Indian Youth Summit on Climate Change 2008
There will undoubtedly be more to share regarding the Indian Youth Summit on Climate Change in the weeks to come -- video and more reflections are still in the works -- but now that some photos are ready I thought I'd share the news of this fantastic event...
From Kerala to Kashmir, Rajasthan to West Bengal, and beyond, over a 150 Indian youth (and a few foreign friends, like me) came to Hyderabad on August 7 - 10 to spark the youth climate movement in India. It worked -- the Indian youth movement is now kicking into high gear with enormous potential and energy.
This was an extraordinary assembly of young people.
350 Around the World
In 38 Countries people have taken action to spread 350. We need to spread this kind of action to every corner of the earth. View the examples and get inspired to organize your own action.
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 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?
- Why another organization--there are already too many things going on!
350 Messengers
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"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."—Dr. James Hansen, Climatologist
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Friends & Allies
