October 24 is the International Day of Climate Action, and if you haven’t heard about it, it’s time to start getting involved.
What does the number 350 mean?
350 is the most important number in the world—it’s what scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Two years ago, after leading climatologists observed rapid ice melt in the Arctic and other frightening signs of climate change, they issued a series of studies showing that the planet faced both human and natural disaster if atmospheric concentrations of CO2 remained above 350 parts per million.
Everyone from Al Gore to the U.N.’s top climate scientist has now embraced this goal as necessary for stabilizing the planet and preventing complete disaster. Now the trick is getting our leaders to pay attention and craft policies that will put the world on track to get to 350.
TOP TEN TIPS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE:
Sustainable Transport: Lace up your shoes, hop on your bike, or find your bus or train fare for some low or no carbon ways to get around town.
Dispose responsibly: Be responsible with the waste you produce – recycle, and compost your food scraps. No recycling program? Start a campaign as a rate payer you are within your rights! Demand it from your council members today!
Eat Better Foods: Grow your own food, buy locally grown or organic food, and organise your community to have farmers markets. Look around for farming co-ops and get involved.
Efficient Lightbulbs: Replace your lightbulbs with compact flourescants – many companies will now replace all your bulbs for you to gain carbon credits, but this is a great and free way to be a good environmental citizen!
See http://www.lowenergy.com.au/ and http://www.envirosaver.com.au/ for more information.
Letters to the Editor: Become a local spokesperson by following the news, and writing in to the editor when there’s an article about climate change or environment.
Buy green: When you do need to buy stuff, make sure it’s the most sustainable version of whatever you’re getting – this will help send a message to producers.
Unplug: Unplug your appliances, cell phone charger when you aren’t using them so they don’t waste energy.
Become a transition town: Google “Transition Towns” and find out how you can get started transitioning your
town away from fossil fuels! Here is an online listing to Australian towns already transitioning
Use less stuff: Many of us have a lot of unnecessary junk – and it doesn’t necessarily make us happier. Focus
on acquiring fewer things you don’t need, and reuse things whenever possible.
Elect climate champions: Change the system from the inside out and elect climate champions to local office.
With your newfound organising skills, get your friends together, and get the campaign going!
October 26th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Thank you for posting this event and the provided tips. I like it! I also want to participate in this event because I do care in our environment so as to our Mother Earth. Here in the Philippines, we already have experienced the cause of the actions done by the humanity. Floods came over and destroyed hundreds or even thousands of houses. So many of our fellow brothers and sisters were homeless. I believe that many of your tips have hit the mark as to why it happens in our area. But then I would like that material things like plastics should be eliminated from productions because it develops pollution when burned and also has chemicals that can bring impairment to us. So I would want to spread the word about the usage of the stainless steel items like the one in Happy Tiffin. Many of us still use plastic wares for the storage of our snacks, meals/foods. And I’ve learned that with the use of stainless steel it has no bad effect. Furthermore, its much eco-friendly, also reusable and very handy. I do believe that its one solution and or an alternative to plastics.