350 International Day of Action

Tens of thousands of people gathered at 5000 simultaneous events in more than 180 countries around the world for the 350 International Day of Climate Action on 24^th October. Over 100 people, including some Eco Congregation Ireland supporters, got together in Dartmouth Square, Dublin, to spell out the number 350.

The global action was based around the need to return to 350 parts per million CO2, which many climate scientists say is the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere. It was organised by 350.org, an international campaign dedicated to creating an equitable global climate treaty that lowers carbon dioxide below 350 parts per million.

350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide – measured in ‘parts per million’ (ppm) in our atmosphere. 350 ppm is the number humanity needs to get back below as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change.

One of the leading concerns raised on the day of action was that corporate-driven Carbon Trading schemes have been blocking efforts to solve the climate crisis and prevent the devastating impacts of climate chaos on the poor.

“In order to stabilise the climate before billions of people around the world suffer the consequences, it is imperative that carbon-trading schemes are stopped and real, democratically determined solutions are implemented,” said Hilary Moore of the Mobilization for Climate Justice. “That’s why we have compiled an international list of well-documented reasons showing how carbon trading is failing to deliver.”

“We cannot afford to waste any more time and resources on such trading scams when so many lives and livelihoods are at stake,” said David Nishizaki of Rising Tide North America. “We are hopeful this information will serve to dispel the many myths of carbon marketeering, encourage an outright rejection of such false corporate solutions, and move us towards democratic, scientific and affordable strategies that show tangible, local benefits.

“Many domestic and international climate policy arenas, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, are prioritising protection for corporate profits and carbon-intensive industrial growth — through the marketing and offsetting of greenhouse gas emissions. This is not only restricting resources for popular, climate justice solutions, but actually serving to increase current levels of climate pollution.”

An online video report showing 350 such reasons why carbon trading is failing to work, as well as printed materials, are available for download at

http://action.350.org/t/10062/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1601.www.350reasons.org.