Smith
Joins International Day of Climate Action
NORTHAMPTON, Mass.—Right now,
350 may be the most important number in the world.
350.org supporters gather for their group shot in Central
Park, New York. |
Scientists
agree, that number—350
parts per million (ppm)—represents the uppermost safety limit
of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the earth’s atmosphere. The earth
is now sustaining approximately 390 ppm. The excess carbon
in the atmosphere increases activity damaging to the earth’s
natural resources, leading to melting ice caps, for example,
and rapidly spreading drought—eventually endangering human
habitation.
Smith will join its Five
Colleges partners and in an International Day of
Climate Action on Saturday, Oct. 24, with a day of activities
on campus to raise awareness and rally support, all focusing
on the number 350. See schedule below.
To reduce the amount
of carbon back to 350 ppm will take a worldwide, coordinated
campaign of decreased use of fossil fuels, at a faster rate
than currently planned by the world’s governments. A good
chance to move the effort forward will come this December
when representatives from nations around the globe meet in
Copenhagen to form a new climate treaty.
The International
Day of Climate Action and is an opportunity to demonstrate
global support for strong, swift climate action. Cities throughout
the world will host rallies and related activities, with
hundreds of smaller communities joining the push for urgent
action.
Showing support for
350.org in New Delhi, India. |
Smith’s
Green Team is leading the college’s day of symbolic events:
350
Origami Cranes Organized by the Morrow House Sustainability
Committee, this campuswide competition challenges houses
to raise the most awareness about 350 ppm by creating 350
paper cranes to be displayed around campus with facts about
climate change.
Bike for
Climate Change Meet on Chapin Lawn, by the Campus Center. Wear spandex
or green; racing signs will be provided. Bike around the
college and Northampton to raise awareness about climate
change, finishing back at Chapin Lawn with hot cocoa and
cider. Sign up by sending email to .
What is
350 ppm anyway? Led
by MassPIRG, students will hand out information about Climate
Change and what you can do about it. To show your support,
have your picture taken and added to the thousands that will
be posted on 350.org.
Campus
Bells will ring 350 times! Listen for the bells at 3:50 signaling
the importance of the day, and calling the entire campus
community together for a photograph on Chapin Lawn.
Campus
Photograph Join thousands
worldwide in taking group photographs to show their support
and urge world leaders to formulate an international climate
action plan that targets 350 parts per million of CO2 in
the atmosphere. Wear Green! |
