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On October 24th, 2009, paddlers across North America are participating in the 350.org International Day of Climate Action by gathering on local waterways to represent the number 350.
Why 350? In 2007, NASA’s chief climatologist, Jim Hansen, released a study marking 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as the safe upper limit for humanity. Much more than that, and we risk dangerous temperature increases. Unfortunately, we’re at 390ppm and rising 2 ppm each year. Writer and activist Bill McKibben launched 350.org in response. The goal is to organize a grassroots campaign designed to educate the world about the runaway CO2 levels, and then motivate people to do something about it. Thousands of communities around the world will represent the number 350 as prominently as possible to send a message to world leaders bound for the UN Climate Change Conference this December in Copenhagen. That message: A new global climate change treaty must be ratified that will allow the level of CO2 in the atmosphere to return to 350ppm. The Kyoto Protocol hasn’t been effective in curbing carbon dioxide emissions, and this December is the time to adopt a plan that will.
River of Action is a fun opportunity to participate in a global climate action and go paddling. All types of paddlers—sea kayakers, kayak fishermen, canoeists, whitewater kayakers, standup paddleboarders, rafters, etc are all encouraged to participate!
