Wednesday 7 January 2009

New climate change group: 350 New Zealand

Last year high profile climate change scientist and activist James Hansen was involved in establishing an international climate change network called 350. See http://350.org/ On 6 December in Wellington 350 was launched in New Zealand. 5000 people attended the 350 Climate Action Festival in Waitangi Park. A 350 NZ website has been set up: http://www.350.org.nz/ A statement on the website explains what 350 is all about: 350 is the red line for human beings, the most important number on the planet The most recent science tells us that unless we can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million (ppm), we will cause huge and irreversible damage to the earth. The current global concentration of carbon dioxide is 387ppm and rising at about 2ppm each year. Who is 350 Aotearoa, NZ? We are a group of young people from secondary school age and upwards from around the country who are concerned about the effects of climate change on our future and that of the planet. Our philosophy is to work with people to create urgent and effective action so that we can start putting NZ and the planet on the track to 350ppm. It is the challenge of our times, one that we as young people cannot ignore. To turn it around requires us to rethink the very way that we live. How are we prepared to live on this planet? What would it take for us to be remembered not for what we took, but what we gave back? 350 asks exactly that of us - to start giving back to the planet, so that our children and our children’s children can live on this planet and be proud for our human presence. 350 - the global movement Solutions exist. All around the world, a movement is building to take on the climate crisis, to get humanity out of the danger zone and below 350. This movement is massive, it is diverse, and it is visionary. Al Gore recently called on our elected leaders at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznan, Poland to establish 350 as our global target. Join the movement here in Aotearoa, NZ and you will be joining the movement of millions around the world. See also 350 - new international initiative calls for global action to stop climate change

2 comments:

Stacey said...

Hi great to see you guys taking a stand.
hi there my name is stacey and im starting a movement in hamilton i would love for all of us to get together and brainstorm for some new and exciting goals.
If we let go of our egos we would realise that this goes along way we need to find a way to comunicate and we truly can make a change for new zealand and the world.I dont know about you but im certainly feeling a need to do what im doing and hope we all have the gutts to stand among the changes.

Anonymous said...

Hi Stacy

Good to here from you.

Were you part of the 350 even in Hamilton?

We’ll be posting a lot more on climate change in the lead up to the Copenhagen summit (and beyond), with a particular focus on eco-socialism and Climate Justice.

We’ve just launched of the Ecosocialist Aotearoa Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=183933556971

You may also be interested in the climate camp in Wellington from 16 to 21 December 2009: http://www.climatecamp.org.nz/climatejustice