This weekend, some folks with TC 350 headed out to the Dune Climb at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to help raise awareness about a very important number for Michigan and the rest of the world. It's set to the music of Getdown to 350 by May Erlewine. The song will probably tell you all you need to know, but if not, check the info below the video!
What is 350?
350 is simply the number of parts per million that scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere. For all of human history until about 200 years ago, our atmosphere contained 275 parts per million of carbon dioxide. Right now, we're pushing 400 and all that CO2 is trapping heat, melting glaciers, contributing to the spread of disease and in general, screwing things up to a point where we could very well create our own demise. But 350 is more than a number–it's a symbol of where we need to head as a planet. You can get much more information at 350.org (including this nifty animation that makes it simple).
Right now, the 350 movement is focusing on a planetary day of action on October 24, 2009 to send a clear message to world leaders that the solutions to climate change must be equitable, grounded in science and meet the scale of the crisis. Have a look at the October 24 map to see some of the events that are slated for Michigan.
