World People’s Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth
Climate Newsfeed
The Bottom Line
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the atmosphere now stand at 385 parts per million (ppm), 67% above the average of the past 800,000 years, and 29% above the maximum of the same period.
- The rate of increase of CO2 is 2.2 ppm/year and getting faster.
- When atmospheric CO2 was above 450 ppm in the earth's history, the planet was completely ice-free, and sea level was 75 meters higher than today.
- The safe upper limit of atmospheric CO2 that we should aim to stay below is probably between 300-350 ppm. We have already overshot it and the longer we stay above that the more likely we will have set in motion long-term climate changes that will proceed beyond human control through powerful geophysical positive feedback mechanisms.
- Sudden warmings of a few degrees in the past have triggered mass extinctions. Current species extinction rate is estimated at 100 to 1000 times the average extinction rates in the evolutionary time scale of planet Earth. A mass extinction is underway and we have to reverse course quickly enough to prevent the worst.
Stand up for a Secure Green Future
We are seeking 350 Climate Minutemen & Minutewomen who will join together to fight for climate action and climate justice. This force will make a decisive difference in the outcome of the climate crisis. These peaceful climate warriors will commit to service and fortitude for the sake of their communities and for their children's future. At a minute's notice, these Climate Minutemen and Minutewomen will speak truth to power, and demonstrate that through collective action and cooperation we can reshape our society and rebuild our communities. They will point the way to endless possibilities of living lightly and joyously on this Earth, and leading complete, fulfilling lives doing so.
Stand up, and stand together, for a SECURE GREEN FUTURE now!
The Climate Minutemen & Minutewomen Pledge:
I will proudly join the ranks of the Massachusetts Climate Minutemen and Minutewomen brigade. To qualify, I pledge to either:
a) Commit to 350 minutes a month of climate activism* for a year
b) Commit to 350 hours of climate activism* over the next 3 years (10 hours per month, or about 2 hours per week)
c) Raise or donate $350 by October 24th for 350.org and/or SecureGreenFuture.org, OR
d) Recruit 3 other Climate Minutemen & Minutewomen by October 24th
* Climate activism may include, but is not limited to: reaching out to your personal networks, distributing flyers, tabling at events, organizing climate potlucks, participating in teach-ins or non-violent direct action (if you are so moved) to bring about strong policy against climate change.
About the Number 350
350 parts per million (ppm) is the maximum upper limit for the safe concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. In Earth’s history, the boundary condition between an ice-free planet (where sea level was over 200 feet higher than today) and one with ice sheets, was 450+/-100 ppm. Indeed, at the current level of 387 ppm, as a result of fossil-fueled industrial growth for the past two hundred years, our planet is already in energy imbalance, absorbing more heat than radiating out into space, and we are already experiencing serious consequences. These include more frequent and severe hurricanes, droughts, floods and forest fires; accelerated species extinctions; rivers drying up due to loss of glacial sources; the rapid disappearance of solar-reflective ice cover; the warming of permafrost causing release of methane (a much more potent GHG than CO2). We are well beyond any conceivable safe limit and must quickly reduce our GHG emissions AND take CO2 out of the atmosphere by restoring carbon into the soil and biosphere, through rebuilding ecosystems. If we don't return below 350 ppm rapidly, we will warm the planet past critical tipping points that will bring on powerful, additional warming beyond human control, that threatens us with unimaginable catastrophe.
SGF Mission Statement
The Secure Green Future (SGF) project educates, activates and empowers Massachusetts residents to effectively address the converging threats of climate change, resource depletion, and economic meltdown. We work to guide communities toward an essential economic transformation that will make possible a sustainable and just post-carbon future. SGF seeks to break the shackles of what is “politically feasible” and inspire change that addresses the magnitude and urgency of the dangers we are facing. We are committed to the principle of democratic empowerment as the most appropriate means for securing the just and sustainable future that we all deserve, and that is within our reach.
Landslide victories for the Secure Green Future ballot initiative!
Thanks to an incredible grassroots effort, the Secure Green Future ballot question has won in EVERY SINGLE DISTRICT it appeared, and by a total landslide margin! At least 153,252 voters said YES to a Secure Green Future on November 4th, netting the ballot question an astounding 81.44% of the vote!!!
Thanks to all of you who helped get these questions on the ballot and helped to spread the word to voters. Your efforts have paid off big time, and we now have clear evidence that the people of Massachusetts are READY for decisive action to fight climate change and energy uncertainty by transitioning to a secure, green economy NOW.
