Green Sheet: Is “350” the magic number?

Eastern Sierra residents participated in one of 5,200 “350” events worldwide, coming together for a photo op at the base of McGee Mtn. (Photo: Fredericksen)

When people from 181 countries united in more than 5,200 events around the globe on Saturday, Oct. 24, organizers in the Eastern Sierra made sure this pocket of the world was also represented.
The event focused on the number 350, or the number of parts per million (ppm) of CO2 in our atmosphere that scientists say is a safe upper level goal to set when world leaders draft an international treaty at the climate conference in Copenhagen in December. Currently, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is at 387 ppm. The “350” event was a global call to action to persuade politicians to agree on policies that will drastically reduce the greenhouse gas enough to make a difference.
Some media called it the “most widespread (in terms of geographical scope) day of political action in history.”
Photo submissions for the event were varied in both creativity and location. Participants formed human numbers for aerial shots of “350,” marched in processions in support of the cause, displayed “350” signs held high in group photos stationed in front of the Egyptian pyramids, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, and on the top of Antarctica’s highest peak.
Here in the Eastern Sierra, locals also made their mark. Two events were held in the area: “Canoe for the Climate at Mono Lake” and a photo shoot at the base of McGee Mountain.
Both locations were chosen for their symbolic value in the struggle to avert the threats of global climate change. Morgan Lindsay, 22, organized “Canoe for the Climate,” hosted by the Mono Lake Committee. She said a huge part of the Mono Lake story relates to the effects of climate change. Snowfall is critical to the California water supply, and with projected annual decreasing snow levels, Mono Lake and the state water supply may see a huge impact.
For “Canoe for the Climate,” Lindsay directed the 45 participants sitting in canoes to form the number “350.” For the shot, people raised their paddles high, smiling, with the snow-covered mountains behind them. Lindsay said it was the perfect symbolic juxtaposition to have the first snowfall visible in the distance with the lake in the foreground.
Lindsay said she was also pleased by the diversity of people represented at the event. For such a global cause, she said it seemed fitting to have two women from Tokyo, Japan join the event, in addition to three women from Haiti, people from all over the U.S., and about 10 people affiliated with the Mono Lake Committee.
The same morning, at the base of McGee Mountain, another 45 people organized themselves into human numbers. Andy Selters, the initiator of the event, said participants were encouraged to carpool and bike to the event, in order to stay aligned with the inherent values of the “350” campaign.
McGee Mountain was chosen as the “350” location due to its historical value of being the site of the first permanent rope tow and skiing in the Eastern Sierra. Dave McCoy chose the site in 1938 due to the mountain’s “dependable snow.” Now, annual snowpack is no longer reliable at the base of McGee and scientists are forecasting even less snow in coming years.
“It’s amazing that the atmosphere connects the whole world, whether we want it to or not,” Selters said. “The message that we need to try to reduce our effects on [the atmosphere] is really important.”
Photos taken around the globe will be sent to global leaders in hopes of pushing them towards supporting the “350” goal in an international climate treaty. Although the day of action is over, the movement is not, and people interested in taking action to support the campaign are encouraged to visit www.350.org for more information.
“Climate change is huge,” Lindsay said. “The odds are against us and there’s no easy solution. But [the “350” campaign] is a really great way to start a conversation about the larger effects and the possible solutions.”