350.org

From Global Energy Monitor

350.org is a well-funded grassroots organization around the world working together to build an international movement to stop global warming. The number 350 refers 350 parts per million (ppm), the safe upper limit of carbon dioxide allowable in the atmosphere. The number comes from the work of Dr. James Hansen, the United State's top climatologist, who wrote, “if humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to the one on which civilization developed and to which life on Earth is adapted, CO2 must be reduced from its present 385 ppm (parts per million) to, at most, 350 ppm.”[1] The 350.org activists are working to build a movement to create awareness of this tipping point and reduce CO2 levels to avoid catastrophic and irreversible damage to the earth's environment.

The U.S. team along with environmentalist and author Bill McKibben, who is credited with writing the first book for a general audience on climate change, organized the Step in Up campaign in 2007, which included over 2000 rallies in all 50 states.[2] Building on this momentum, the group is working to inspire international cooperation in reducing our CO2 levels. To accomplish their goals, they promotes a wide variety of strategies, including phasing out coal power plants and replacing them with renewable sources, planting instead of clear-cutting forests, increasing efficiency and decreasing waste.

350.org's website is translated into nine languages. Grassroots events have been held in Korea, Nepal, the United States, and India.[3]

On April 6, 2011 350.org and 1Sky merged to be called 350.org. [4]

  • May Boeve - Executive Director and Co-founder

Major Allied Organizations

According to their website: [5]

Team

Accessed December 2013: [6]

Board

International Advisory Council

US Advisory Council

Messengers (Dec 2011)

Accessed December 2011: [7]

10/10/10

350.org: The Power of One (10/10/10)

10/10/10 was a global day of action organized by 350.org on October 10, 2010, designed to spur community actions to address climate change and create the basis for increased political action.[8]

Keystone XL Climate Movement

On February 17, 2013 more than 40,000 people from 30 states around the nation rallied against the Keystone XL pipeline in Washington D.C. This was the largest climate protest in U.S history. Organizations such as 350.org helped initiate the massive turnout. People from around the country came to oppose the pipeline along with making a statement to president Obama that reiterated his 2012 re-election campaign slogan, "forward." The legislation was rejected by President Obama in 2012, saying there was not enough time to make a decision. One year later, Keystone XL still has yet to be approved. Environmentalist groups have been continuously opposing the pipeline as it has many potentially "harmful" effects on the environment.[9]

Criticism

Targeted coal plant proposals

Group details

Location: U.S. headquarters in San Francisco, CA
Group website: 350.org
Contact: jamie [at] 350.org

Resources

References

  1. "Clock Running Out on Climate Change", Yale Global, April 16, 2008.
  2. Step It Up 2007, group website, accessed July 2008.
  3. 350.org, Group website, accessed July 2008.
  4. 1Sky A BIG Announcement, organizational web page, accessed April 5, 2012.
  5. Website Accessed April 9, 2012.
  6. 350.org Board, organizational web page, accessed December 30, 2013.
  7. Messengers, 350.org, accessed December 12, 2011.
  8. "Ideas For Your 10/10 Work Party" 350.org, accessed Oct., 2010.
  9. [http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/17/16996283-thousands-rally-in-dc-against-keystone-pipeline?lite, Andrew Rafferty, Thousands rally in D.C. against Keystone Pipeline, published February 17, 2013.

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