Why 350 is my Favorite

I've posted before about events organized by the organization 350.org, led by the inspiring, energetic, impressive Bill McKibben.  The name "350" comes from the amount of carbon dioxide that climate scientists say we should stabilize at in order to avoid the full effects of catastrophic climate change - 350 parts per million. I have to say, 350 is probably my favorite environmental organization that's out there right now.

350.org is so much more than a number. It is bringing people together from ALL over the world, bringing tons of organizations together, to create a global climate movement. The 350 team builds from climate science, and then acts from there. Social movement style. They rock the boat, without losing any sanity. Their days of action have been beautiful, grassroots, powerful, inclusive... and they don't stop.

On September 24th, 2011, 350 is launching Moving Planet- their next day of action. Moving Planet is about getting people to the streets to "move" past fossil fuels- on bikes, roller blades, foot, kayak, etc. I love 350 because they are always in motion. Bill McKibben and his team know that the only way we're going to have our voices heard, the only way we're going to get the government and corporations to start taking responsibility, is to demand it in a full on MOVEMENT.

In encourage everyone to take a look at 350.org and get involved with what they are cooking up. I know I'll be on the streets on September 24th, hopefully alongside friends and fellow Berkeley students. I also hope to help organize events so that the day is the biggest and best climate action rally to date.

We will move ourselves, to move others, to move others, and eventually, we will move this planet. 

A music video... from climate scientists?

Watch this video!

I'm a Climate Scientist

OK, I understand the thought behind this video. We need to make climate science more accessible to the general public, so that people start understanding the truth rather than the lies that the climate deniers cook up.

So I'm not really sure how I feel about this video. It does capture people's interest, and makes the science "sexy." But is the best way to do that really to make climate scientists seem... well, not like scientists? These are people that we need to trust as the experts. Would I want to see the doctor who is advising me to go into surgery in a music video like this one? I'm not so sure. I don't want to give climate skeptics any reasons to continue thinking that climate scientists aren't to be trusted.

So what's a better way to make these experts, and their pivotal science and research, accessible? Honestly, we've got to get science in the mainstream news. If we're going to reach the majority of America, we can do it through the daily news channels. The people who are skeptical about climate change aren't going to be cruising environmental blogging sites or fun youtube videos- the people we need to reach watch Fox News. Every day. I don't know how this pipe dream of mine is ever going to happen, given the politicization of the issue of climate change, but I honestly believe that reaching the mainstream media would be the best thing that could ever happen for science and the climate change movement.

California Student Sustainability Coalition Convergence

Last weekend I traveled to an alternate universe. It was a universe where you are constantly meeting outgoing, passionate, smart, environmentally focused, all around amazing people. It was a world where people live the change they wish to see in the world. It seemed like every person I met had been involved in some kind of awesomely creative sustainability project. It was a world where nighttime is spent around a campfire, listening to eco-spoken word, guitars, our own harmonious voices, and a didgeridoo.

So where was I?