Tomorrow, more than 4,800 communities in 179 countries will make the 350.org International Day of Climate Action the most widespread day of political action in history.  Here in Portland, hundreds of kayakers, canoeists and standup paddleboarders will gather on the Willamette River in the city’s center to form a giant floating 350 in support of effective climate change legislation.

The Concept: Scientists have insisted in recent years that 350 parts per million is the most carbon dioxide (CO²) we can safely have in the atmosphere. The current CO² concentration is 390 parts per million.  The world’s leaders are gathering this December in Copenhagen to discuss what must be done to limit greenhouse gas emissions and halt climate change.  Our message to these leaders:  set your target at 350ppm of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.  Anything higher will not be effective in controlling climate change.

Who: YOU!  IF you would like to get involved, RSVP, grab your paddle-craft of choice, and come on down!  Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe and Northwest River Guides are providing boats for folks to use for free—get in touch with them ASAP if you would like to use a boat.

RSVP here: http://www.350.org/riverofactionpdx

Contact for boats:

Alder Creek: 503.285.0464/suzi@aldercreek.com

Northwest River Guides: (JACQUELINE M. BISHOP) jbishop@robertskaplan.com, 503.221.7752

Where: The floating 350 will be formed just south of the Burnside Bridge on the west side of the Willamette River.  Paddlers will launch from the Portland Boathouse at 1515 SE Water Street, near OMSI.

When:

Production meeting at 9:00am

Paddlers arrive between 10:00 and 11:00

Hit the water at 11:00

Snap photos of the floating 350 between 12:30 and 1:00

Finish at 1:00

How: A core crew of folks will be selected to make the framework of the floating 350.  Once this crew is set in place, everyone will be invited to pack on the frame and make the 350 bold.  A team of skilled padders will be moving people into formation, guided via 2-way radio from the team on the Burnside Bridge.

Media: Organizers will be available for comment immediately after the production meeting at approximately 9:45.  There will be a team of photographers and videographers documenting the event on the water and from land.  Folks participating in the event are encouraged to bring your own cameras, document the fun, and share your experience with as many folks as you possibly can!

A press release is available here: http://bit.ly/2pLjFC

Next Step: Immediately after the action, we’re heading to the 350 Oregon rally at Pioneer Square.  Walk over with us and participate if you can!

When you get home, it’s time to start spreading the word about what we did.  Please promptly upload photos and video to the River of Action Flickr group here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/riverofaction/

Also spread the word via Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, blog, etc.

Thanks for participating!  We’ll see you at 1515 SE Water St tomorrow morning.

Andy Maser

Read the letter here:

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AUgQZc4NyxlhZGcyemdiNjdfMWhuOWQ5OWY2&hl=en

You can read the full story here: Outside Magazine blog.

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/QVzFekBfIvU" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

“As outdoor enthusiasts, we have a strong connection to our environment and have a responsibility to protect the place we live and love to play in.”

The ACA will be participating in River of Action during their National Paddlesports Conference on October 24th!  Thanks ACA!

You can read more here: ACA Blog