World leaders are preparing to meet in December for the Copenhagen Climate Talks, but by all accounts it’s starting to look like whatever agreement they hammer out will be, at best, a mediocre attempt to appease their citizens, and each other, rather than a full attack on fighting global warming.

Is that what we want? Hell, no! We want more walk, less talk. But to get the walk from world leaders, we need to be heard.

Enter 350.org, an international grassroots campaign that uses the power of social media to rally people around the world to join a real, global citizens’ movement.

And it seems to be working.

This Saturday, October 24, millions of people will participate in an International Day of Climate Change. In cities, at beaches, in the streets, on the mountains – wherever you are, there is probably an event organized. Check out the 350.org map to find one in your area.

At last count, there are over 4000 simultaneous events in over 170 countries scheduled, all focused on getting world leaders to pay attention to the number 350. Why 350?

350 ppm (parts per million) is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide. It’s an interesting situation because we need carbon dioxide in the atmosphere for the human race to survive. Too little of it and the planet would be way too cold for humans. But conversely, too much of it would result in the planet becoming too hot.

In the past few hundred of years carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have been rising. Currently, the level is 387 ppm, and unless things change, that number will keep rising.

Studies have determined that 350 ppm will keep the planet in a safe zone. But just because scientists are saying it, doesn’t mean world leaders are listening.

This is where all of us, as participants in the International Day of Climate Change, can stand up and be counted”¦and hopefully, be heard.

We are all part of the problem. It’s time we were part of the solution.

This Saturday, join the cause and become involved in an International Day of Climate Change event wherever you live.

Image: Copenhagen sky by mariana maia

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