350! International Day of Climate Action

 Greetings from Canton!!

Maybe all of you guys know about 350 already, but Saturday October 24, 2009 was the International Day of Climate Action. People from all over the world gathered to recognize 350. What is 350 anyways? It is the number (measured in parts per million) that scientists have said is the "safe" limit for carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Participation was demonstrated in 181 countries from rallies, bike rides, hikes, climbers, church services, 350 awareness was everywhere. There are pictures of scuba divers with 350 signs, hikers on the top of mountains with 350 signs, people gathered in cities in the shape of 350 on the street. You should definitely check out all of the pictures on the 350 flickr web page which is http://www.flickr.com/photos/350org/sets/.This was a huge day in history for enviornmentalism and the world. It has said to be the most widespread day of international environmentalism in the history of the world! Hopefully, this will be the start to a strong movement to help the world reach our goal of 350. 

So, what did SLU do on 350? As part of the Environmental Action Organization we put on a bike-walk-run that took place in Canton and throughout the campus. We rallied as a group and left the library at 1:00 on Saturday doing a loop throughout town and throughout campus and ended up at the student center. We had lots of people on bikes and some people walking and running as well. We took over park street and main street on bikes!! Most people on the road were very receptive and excited that we were doing something for 350. We had our own Ryan Gillard leading the pack in an orange jump suit and waving a giant flag that said 350! Everyone seemed to be excited about recognizing 350. Afterwards we had a banner in the student center where everyone put a blue hand print, in hopes to get 350 hand prints. 

 At St. Lawrence and also all over the world, Saturday marked a really important day for climate action. You should all spread the word about 350 and check out the website at 350.org to learn more about it!

Cheers, 

Katie