350 Artists and Day of Climate Action
350 artists make for a well orchestrated day of climate action
Local percussion ensemble Samba Ja and local dancers perform
As we near the next international climate change conference in Copenhagen and myriad press reports warn of the empty promises and weak international political will to come, we may soon find ourselves forced to look within our own communities for solutions to the climate crisis we now face.
This past Saturday, October 24th, the International Day of Climate Action, Eugene residents showed they are ready to meet this challenge and take action against climate change (or at least to listen to others musically and verbally taking action) by packing the Hult Center lobby for the 350! Artists for Climate Action event.
Mayor Kitty Piercy, Commissioner Rob Handy, and U of O Law Professor Mary Wood gave inspirational, empowering speeches to crowds that spilled onto the Hult Center stairs and balconies that reminded us of our own potential and responsibility for, essentially, saving ourselves. An incredible three hundred and fifty artists performed in total–representing what is fast becoming the most important number in the world. Leading climate scientists warn 350 ppm (ppm = parts per million) is the “safe” upper limit for carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. According to the NOAA we’re hovering around 390 ppm now. We face the very real possibility of runaway climate change if we don’t bring this number down as fast as possible.
Professor Mary Wood speaks about climate issues and the importance of individual action.
Trends in greenhouse gas emissions over last few years makes our progress to date (or lack of) painfully clear. But this does NOT mean we give up all hope, only that we must do more. Saturday’s event signified Eugene’s participation in what 350.org has called the “world’s most widespread day of political action ever.” Globally, this achievement proves we can do more; in Eugene, we proved we can do more and have a good time doing it.
The day was no small feat, for national or for Hult Center organizers. But CO2 trends tell us efforts of this scale can no longer be the exception to the norm; they must set the standard for future efforts to not only reach but surpass. Further, actions cannot be limited to a single day; they need to be part of our daily routine. And yes, there are many things we as individuals can do to reduce our own greenhouse gas emissions–these are largely what got us into this mess in the first place. But local, county, state, federal, and international governing bodies must also take responsibility for their roles in guiding our behaviors, and for protecting the wellbeing of all of us while we work to make these changes in our everyday lives.
The Eugene Climate & Energy Action Plan (CEAP) accepts its portion of the responsibility we all share for encouraging and supporting the Eugene community–residents, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and city government alike–to take the necessary actions to reach the city’s stated target of 50% greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and for preserving community wellbeing as we face the challenges of climate change and peak oil. As you think about how to continue to take action beyond this single day, include attending the CEAP’s next topic discussion on Food and Agriculture in your personal action plan, to be held Nov. 5th in the EWEB Community Meeting Room at 500 E. 4th Ave. in Eugene.