civic groups, and the public at large
to gather at 10:00 a.m. at the Château
Morrisette Winery’s auxiliary park-
ing lot, where citizens will be photo-
graphed holding a 350 banner against
the backdrop of Buffalo Mountain,
Floyd County’s highest peak.
Following the photo shoot, the
group will coordinate with the inter-
national action day by hosting the first
SplitRail Eco-Fair on October 24. The
24 OCTOBER 2009 INTERNATIONAL DAY
downtown celebration for a sustainable
future will feature music, food, educa-
OF CLIMATE ACTION
tion and live theater.
by colleen redman While the Eco-Fair will be a light-
hearted celebration, the 350 campaign is
a more serious one. In August, the U.S.
Best selling environmental author, Bill McKibben, wants
Pentagon released a report stating that
everyone to know why 350 is the most important number
global warming is a threat to national se-
curity. Later that month the UN’s top cli-
in the world.
photo by Fred First mate scientist, Rajendra Pachauri, urged
for world determination in lowering
After learning about National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
carbon levels to 350, citing the destruc-
scientist James Hansen’s recent finding - that life as we know it on planet Earth is
tive impact inherent in climate change.
not sustainable when the amount of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) in the air
exceeds 350 parts per million — Mckibben set out to spread the word.
“Using a number to draw
“The bad news is we’re already past that number – we’re at 390, which is why
attention to global warming
the Arctic is melting … The good news is that the number 350 gives us a target to
aim for,” Mckibben states on his website, 350.org.
is a stroke of genius,”
Another number to pay attention to is October 24, the date for McKibben’s In-
says SustainFloyd member, Fred First.
ternational Day of Climate Action. On this day, photographs that feature prominent
“People all over the world speak so
displays of the number 350, will be taken by groups all over the world. In an effort
many different languages but they
to influence policy change at the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Confer-
know numbers.” In the same way that
ence, scheduled in Copenhagen, Denmark in December, photographs will be sent
we pay attention to body temperature
to the United Nations.
and blood pressure numbers as a way
According to 350.org, people in more than 1,000 communities and 100
to monitor personal health, 350 is an
nations around the globe have announced their commitment to participate in
important number to pay attention to.
grassroots events on October 24. In Southwest Virginia, 350 action plans are well
“The number 350 is an indicator of
underway.
global health,” First explains.
“We may be a small town, but we’re going to make a big statement,” says
Becky Pomponio, one of the 175+ members of SustainFloyd, the Floyd group that Visit 350.org to learn about October 24
brought McKibben to speak at The Floyd Country Store last June. climate actions in Blacksburg and Roa-
Founded in November 2008 to foster resiliency in the local community, Sus- noke. More on the Floyd action can be
tainFloyd is encouraging scout troops, Future Farmers of America, church groups, found at SustainFloyd.org.
OCTOBER 24
th
LOCAL
Split Rail Eco-Fair — 10am-6pm.
Free. A celebration of rural living
Grandin Gardens 350 Harvest EVENTS offering locally grown and sustainably
Festival —11am-4pm. Free. Celebrate produced foods, live music amplified
the Fall Harvest and the reduction Roanoke Valley Climate Rally — by solar energy, youth theater and
of Carbon Dioxide to 350 particle 3:50pm. Free. Featuring both kid and info on sustainable agriculture,
parts per million. Join the scarecrow adult-friendly games and activities. Be business and forestry and to
making contest, food and eco-village a part of history in the valley’s largest- promote a sustainable lifestyle
classes, listen to music and enjoy ever aerial photo. Reserve Ave. S.W., and a thriving economy. For more
refreshments around the gardens. 1731 Roanoke. Reserve Avenue athletic fields information contact Thais Abernethy
Grandin Rd., Roanoke. 540-556-0825. at the old Victory Stadium site. For more at thais@swva.net or 540-239-0721.
GrandinGardens.com. information go to RVCCC.org. Sustainfloyd.org.
20
Southwestern Virginia
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