Dear Michiganders—This is an invitation to build a movement—to take one day and use it to stop the climate crisis--starting right here in Traverse City. Last summer, climate change author and activist, Bill McKibben, visited Traverse City and called us to action around the most important number on the planet, 350. And we are stepping up to the challenge in northwest Michigan in our effort to finally get worldwide action on global warming. The world’s leading climatologists, including NASA’s James Hansen, have shown that 350 parts per million of carbon in the atmosphere is the maximum amount to sustain the planet and reverse climate change. The bad news is we’re already past that number—we’re at 390 parts per million. The good news: that number gives us a target to aim for. When the world’s leaders meet in Copenhagen in December to reach agreement on a new climate treaty, we need them to go farther than they’ve planned to go: we need to make sure they’ll pay attention to the latest science and put forward a plan that gets us back to safety. So here’s the plan. On October 24, we will join people around the world for the International Day of Climate Action. Our group action will take place at Traverse City’s Open Space at 1:00 PM for a group photo depicting the number 350 along with our world class town and lakeshore. As actions take place around the world, our friends at 350.org will link all the pictures together electronically via the web--by the end of the day, we'll have a powerful visual petition uniting the entire planet that we can deliver to the media and world leaders. So far more than 100 nations are taking part—it's shaping up to be to be the biggest day of grassroots action on global warming ever. But we need it to be much larger—we need all of us in northwest Michigan to take part. Please take action and help spread the word—tell church, your local groups, clubs, and schools. People want to help, especially if they see the chance for something that might actually matter. This is even more important than changing your lightbulb—this is your chance do act locally on climate change, which is the most important thing any of us can do. October 24 comes six weeks before those crucial UN meetings in Copenhagen. It’s a great chance to take a stand—maybe the last great chance, given what the scientists tell us about the momentum of global warming. So, join us in the Open Space on October 24 at 1:00 PM for what will be a joyful, powerful day when we prove it's possible. For more information go to www.tc350.org Onward, |
