Resources
The following research on Global Warming and CO2 emissions.
Target atmospheric CO2: Where should humanity aim?,
a summary of the case for 350 ppm as a maximum safe value.
A CO2 Inventory for North America: The Vulcan Project,
a way to quantify North American fossil fuel carbon dioxide (CO2).
Climate 2030: A National Blueprint for a Clean Energy Economy, the executive summary of the brand-new Union of Concerned Scientists report that outlines a comprehensive set of smart policies to jump start the transition to a clean energy economy.
October 24 Local Rally Pictures
Green Acton Team Met on October 24 before the 350 Rally in Concord Center. See more photos.
Beacon Article: Make some history with Green Acton
By Steve Hecht
Wed Oct 21, 2009, 08:40 AM EDT
Here's a chance to make history where American history was made. As part of the 350.org campaign's International Day of Climate Action, participants will be making history because nearly 2,000 similar events will be taking place around the globe that same day—the largest climate rally ever. And they'll be making that history at Old North Bridge in Concord, the site of the "shot heard 'round the world" that launched the American Revolution.
On Saturday, Oct. 24, citizens from more than 20 area towns will gather at Old North Bridge to proclaim, in unison with people all over the world, the importance of bold action on climate change. Leaders need to know that citizens want them to act boldly; this is especially important now because of the upcoming U.N. climate treaty negotiations in Copenhagen in December of this year.
This International Day of Climate Action is the brainchild of Bill McKibben, science journalist and Lexington native, who conceived the 350.org campaign as a way to help humanity and its leaders recognize that 350ppm of atmospheric CO2 is a safe limit (the current global average is above 386ppm and rising).
All Actonians are invited to join Green Acton—and hundreds of other concerned citizens—at this regional Energy Revolution Rally. Between noon and 12:20 p.m. that day, Acton citizens will gather behind Town Hall to join either a bicycle or a hybrid-car/alt-fuel vehicle caravan to Concord, or to cheer on the intrepid caravaners. You can pedal, drive your own hybrid or alternative-fuel vehicle, or carpool with a hybrid driver (your own vehicle can be left in the lower lot behind Town Hall and the Acton Memorial Library). The group will depart from town center at 12:30 p.m. to the pealing of the Acton Congregational Church bells, and gather at Old North Bridge under the "Green Acton" banner.
Some churches in the region will ring their bells 350 times that day to signal the importance of 350 parts per million as the safe limit of atmospheric carbon dioxide, the primary driver of global warming and its detrimental—and potentially disastrous—effects.
The Energy Revolution Rally in Concord begins at 2 p.m., and will feature scientists, guest speakers (including senators James Eldridge and Mark Pacheco), Minutemen from area towns, and the chance to raise our voices about the urgent need for domestic and international efforts to combat climate change. Make your own sign, wear a 350 hat, blow 350 bubbles . . . do anything fun that will promote the message.
Please join Green Acton, your friends and neighbors, and citizens around the world, for this International Day of Climate Action on Oct. 24. Look for lawn signs around town promoting the event and reminding you to come. For more information, see greenacton.org, or contact Sue at 978-274-2021.
350: The Most Important Number on Earth
Why is 350 the most important number on Earth?
Current climate science indicates that 350 parts per million (ppm) represents the safe and sustainable level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth's atmosphere. To slow and stop global warming, 350 ppm should be our goal. If we can achieve this, we can avoid the worst impacts of global warming—those for which we are headed on our present carbon trajectory.
Where are we now?
The current CO2 level is approaching 389 ppm, and is rising by 2-2.5 ppm per year.
What Can I Do?
We must all take personal actions to reduce CO2 and other greenhouse–gas emissions. But reducing atmospheric levels to 350 ppm will require large-scale changes that are best achieved by the leverage of governments on the largest CO2-producing sectors (electricity generation, especially from coal-fired power plants; buildings' energy use; transportation; and industry).
The December 2009 international climate treaty talks in Copenhagen are a critical opportunity to launch such changes. We need to make 350 ppm a centerpiece of those negotiations.
Take as many of these actions as you can:
Join the 350 campaign at www.350.org.
Write to and/or call leaders and encourage them to endorse 350 ppm as the goal of international and domestic climate change efforts. See :www.350.org; Make your Own Voice Heard, below; and the resources listed at left, to get started.
Write a guest op-ed piece or letter to the editor for your local or regional newspaper, making the case for 350. Or post your letter on your website or on any blog to which you contribute.
Talk about the issue with everyone you know. Share the facts from our 350 info card: We Can Save Our Climate!
Join us for 350's October 24 International Day of Climate Action. Check back here in the coming months for information on the day's activities and our local 350 campaign.
What has Green Acton/350 done?
Early in 2009, we secured the Acton Board of Selectmen's endorsement of a strongly worded letter to national leaders. The letter was sent from the BoS to President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Carol Browner, Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern, and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu.
You can read copy of that letter and the Beacon article about the meeting at which it was approved.
Green Acton/350 also created We Can Save Our Climate!—a a 350 information card that summarizes the issue. For other fact sheets, see www.350.org/action-resources.
Make Your Own Voice Heard!
You can use this sample letter as a template, and send your personalized letter to federal officials to stress the importance of strong action on climate change, with 350 ppm of CO2 as the goal. (Be sure to change boldface text to reflect your information.) Find contact information for government officials at www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml.
Please join us! Sign up for one of our Green Acton mailing lists, or contact us with questions or ideas at 350@greenacton.org.