A few weeks ago I participated in a conference call that was a briefing with Bill McKibben and 350.org. For those of you who have never heard the name Bill McKibben, he is one of the most important environmental figures of our time. The call was to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis. The message was clear, we need to move quickly and in unison because 2009 is a crucial year.

First, let me explain what 350 stands for. The most recent science tells us that unless we can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million, we will cause huge and irreversible damage to the earth. FYI… we are already at 387 ppm. 350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide–measured in “Parts Per Million” in our atmosphere. 350 PPM–it is the number humanity needs to get back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change.

2009 is a crucial year because the United Nations is working on a treaty, which is to be completed in December 2009 at the conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. The problem is that the treaty currently on the table does not meet the severity of the climate crisis and is way too weak to get us back to safety. This treaty needs to put a high enough price on carbon so we stop using so much.

The mission is to make sure everyone knows the target so that our political leaders feel real pressure to act. Reaching 350 ppm will require unprecedented international cooperation. You may be asking yourself how you can possibly be apart of this mission or even make a difference. I asked myself that very question. Action is the answer!

Taking action in our lives and in our communities is the first step. So on October 24th, the International Day of Climate Action, people will be mobilizing all over the world with different events. I encourage you to go to www.350.org and do something in your community!! Come up with what ever feels right for you and your community. Do a presentation, a bike ride or a tree planting. Whatever feels right, just do it!! Do something!

I am organizing an event in Woodland Hills, CA. My call to action is to get as many people together in our local park to take an aerial photo with people in the shape of 350. I will then head back to 350.org/take-action to upload the images and join thousands of people all over the planet taking action to ensure a safe climate and a just future. I will keep you posted on how it all turns out.

Woodland Hills Event Information