Kiwis multiply efforts for 350 International Day of Climate Action

Kiwis are coming out in force to celebrate human resilience and creativity on the 350 International Day of Climate Action this Saturday. 

Over 130 actions in New Zealand have been officially registered for the 350 International Day of Action on October 24, almost twice that of a week ago. 

The International 350 campaign is the most extensive international climate campaign the world has seen.

 
This week's global actions began with a splash with the President of the Maldives holding a cabinet meeting underwater on Saturday October 17 to ratify a pledge calling on world leaders to commit to carbon emissions cuts prior to the Copenhagen climate talks. 

Around the world, people are gathering to consider ways to reduce emissions on October 24th: in Somalia, the drought-wrecked province of Sanaag is cooking food using 350 solar cookers to  show that renewable energy is the answer, and to call on their leaders to take action in Copenhagen. 

In Cambodia, youth are gathering at Angkor Wat to share climate change information with visitors. In Suva, a group of student nurses called Fiji Nightingales Action For Climate Change will gather dressed in white to make an outline of the number '350'.

New Zealanders’ events will kick off the action on the international campaign,
commencing over 4100 events across 170 countries. 350 Aotearoa is coordinating the day of action in NZ.

A global human '350' will be formed by groups around the world. The Global 350 is 3 being formed in the ampitheatre in Victoria Square in Christchurch; the '5' by the Archaeological Survey of India and the Universal Peace Foundation in New Delhi, and the '0' being formed in Copenhagen.

In New Zealand, the actions registered with 350.org for October 24 span community, school and individual events. 350 surfers will take to the waves at St Clair, Dunedin, and then celebrate at a 350 Spring Festival at the Railway  Station. 

In Christchurch, a massed choir will sing before the bells of the Christchurch Cathedral toll 350 times. 

In Wellington, a harbour bike ride from Eastbourne to the city centre will culminate in a big festival on the waterfront. 

In Thames, a mile-long market will host a "Not so Stupid Ideas-fest" where community groups will showcase their climate- & eco-friendly ideas.