AP Photo/Toby Talbot
READ MORE ABOUT:
Bill McKibben is the author of numerous books on global warming and environmentalism and has been talking about climate change since at least 1989. Since 2008, he has led 350 in a campaign to raise awareness of and draw political action to address the dangers of global warming and climate change. 350.org has organized some of the largest international actions for climate change in history, but Bill McKibben does not do this alone. Indeed, for the next campaign, possibly the most important yet, he needs your help.
During a conference call for bloggers and other new media writers, McKibben stressed that his campaign was led by citizens and scientists. 350's strategy, he explained, that the organization did not want to call on the charisma of celebrities. Instead, he said, "our rock star is physics, our glamour heartthrob is chemistry." Science gives the organization its name and it motivates its actions.
"It's time for scientists and ordinary citizens to come together to make their voices heard," McKibben told the group of bloggers. Thanks to the distributed nature of new media, the ubiquity of the internet, at least some form of internet, around the world, and the influence of social networks, citizens have the power to organize and effect major change.
It's no longer a matter of "calling for action from our leaders." Instead, the members of 350.org and looking for "action effective enough to make a difference." October 24th's Climate Action Day, McKibben believes, will be a giant step towards making that difference.
The event can only work, however, with lots of participation.
Get Involved on Climate Action Day
The most obvious way to get involved with Climate Action Day is to host a rally in your area. But this is not the only thing you can do.
350.org has a lot of creative ideas:
- Flier a local event: Download and print some of 350.org's excellent fliers and hand them out at a local event. Whether it's a concert, a lecture, or a sporting event, it's a great way to reach a large group of people.
- Sidewalk chalk: Use colorful chalk to write messages on your neighborhood's sidewalks. Asking questions like "What's 350 ppm?" is a great way to attract interest.
- Get online: Log onto Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks to spread the word.
Bill McKibben told the bloggers that we had succeeded in making climate change go viral. The goal now, he said, is to "make it go swine flu viral." For that to happen, 350 will need everyone's help. Lend a hand.
Read more about taking action:
Don't Host a Lame Rally: 5 Ways to Organize for a Meaningful International Day of Climate Action on October 24
How To Create Massive Change When It Comes to Climate Change
COP15: Track Copenhagen Climate Conference with Twitter and Social Media
The Environment is Already in Your Extended Network
-
- {}
