Today was the largest day of environmental activism in history. 7,347 climate action events took place in 188 countries around the world as part of “The Global Work Party.” People went to work digging community gardens, installing solar panels, planting trees and more.
Port Elizabeth, South Africa: African Penguins, rehabilitated victims of oil pollution, are released back into the sea in front of hundreds of participants.
Oslo, Norway: After a bike race around the city, some activists relax outside the famous new Opera House.
The organization 350.org, started by environmental activist and author Bill McKibben, was the force behind the massive global event. The challenge and mission was laid out by McKibben on 350.org:
It’s been a tough year: in North America, oil gushing into the Gulf of Mexico; in Asia some of the highest temperatures ever recorded; in the Arctic, the fastest melting of sea ice ever seen; in Latin America, record rainfalls washing away whole mountainsides.
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates: Participants in a climate festival formed a giant 350.
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Shangri-La, China: Concerned citizens gathered at the temple to promote the spiritual connection to preserving the earth, its climate and its people, and spelled out '350' in prayer flags.
On 10/10/10 we’ll show that we the people can do this — but we need bold energy policies from our political leaders to do it on a scale that truly matters. The goal of the day is not to solve the climate crisis one project at a time, but to send a pointed political message: if we can get to work, you can get to work too — on the legislation and the treaties that will make all our work easier in the long run.
Isafjordur, Iceland: The Ocean Conservancy held their 25th Annual Coastal Cleanup Day on 10/10/10, joining in the global movement calling for CO2 levels in the atmosphere to be returned back below 350 ppm.
NYC, USA: The Columbia University Marching Band forms '350' on the field.
NYC, USA: UN Staff raising awareness on emission reduction by joining the 350 campaign (Photo credit: UN/DPI/iSeek/Frederic Fath).
Even if you didn’t attend a work party today, 10/11/10 (or 10/10/11 for everyone outside the U.S.) is just as important a day to do something positive for the planet. 350.org lists the top seven areas where everyone can help as: #1 Organize a Tree Planting, #2 Go Solar, #3 Work on a Community Garden or an Organic Farm, #4 Go For a Bike Ride, #5 Harness the Wind, #6 Get Efficient, #7 Do a trash cleanup.
Baku, Azerbaijan: Kids broke out the power drills(!) to promote solar power as a solution to climate change.
Stockholm, Sweden: Activists dressed up in sun, wind and water costumes thanked people in the subway for choosing public transport and invited them to participate in the other activities taking place at the central square. (Photo credit: © Aslund/Greenpeace)
Visit 350.org for more ideas of how you can help. We’re all in this together, whether we like it or not.
Top photo: In Wellington, New Zealand, community members performing a “Solar Panel Boogie” at sunrise.
