Voices of the ReGeneration: 350.org
On 23 June 1988, Dr. James E. Hansen, a NASA scientist best known for his climatology research, testified before the U.S. Congress that, due to higher levels of CO2 in our atmosphere, the world was entering a period of rapid warming. Dr. Hansen prophetically claimed the we would likely be experiencing record high temperatures within the next decade and beyond. He also spoke of the effects this warming period would have on our planet, such as exteme weather, long periods of drought and the melting of icecaps and permafrost, Today the carbon level of our air is at about 387 parts per million (ppm), and is expected to rise 2ppm every year.
Fortunately, there are groups who have devoted their efforts to to addressing this head on. One such group is 350.org, a small group of concerned people working closely with author and environmentalist Bill McKibben. 350.org’s goal is to get our atmosphere back to 350ppm. To call this goal a challenge would be an understatement, requiring nothing less than massive changes across the globe, with developed and developing nations alike committed to meeting this number. However, optimistic targets like this are our bread and butter and with some talking about the need for the United States to be powered by green energy in 10 years, there is no reason to believe that with the right support and tenacity, we can’t meet them.
So what will this take? In addition to alternative energy, like wind, solar, tidal, and geothermal, it’s going to take ambitious reforestation projects to offset the CO2 we do emit. It’s going to take lifestyle changes like walking, riding your bicycle, or taking public transport when you may otherwise have driven your own car. It’s going to take a tenacious devotion to energy-efficiency, and a drive to develop new technologies to this end. Above all, it’s going to take the imagination and participation of folks like you and me. By many accounts, this has already begun, and I’ve seen a lot lately that gives me hope. I’ve spent a lot of virtual ink on the great things that people are doing to save our planet and the amazing new methods and technologies people are coming up with to help minimize our collective carbon footprints.
So is it overly optimistic? Maybe. Unrealistic? Perhaps. But it is goals like those set by 350.org that push us to heights we never thought possible. We’ve proven to ourselves time and time again that there is little we cannot accomplish once we put our minds to it. The ReGeneration team commends 350.org for spreading the word about this, and we wholeheartedly throw our support behind their cause. What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.
Looking for tips to help lower your carbon footprint? Check out the tips section of ReGeneration.org here. We’ve also published a few articles with more ways you can meet 350.org’s goal, and have many more planned. Stay tuned!
