International Day of Climate Action

Written by Andy Burkhardt.

Last Saturday, October 24th I took part in the International Day of Climate Action. It was organized to send a message to world leaders that we need a strong, binding, international agreement to combat climate change.

The first activity I took part in was being a part of an aerial photo of humans spelling out "350 Vermont." It was pouring rain on us, but it didn't dampen our spirits. In fact it was pretty fun even though we got soaked. I even got interviewed by the Burlington Free Press (on page 2) when I was there.

From there we slowly ambled down along a winding route towards City Hall Park while church bells were ringing 350 times. It was pretty moving and probably got a number of people wondering what was going on. There were a lot of people marching which made it even more powerful.

Nearing the end of the night I attended a dance party at Slade Hall where the band Dubnotix performed in support of climate action. It was a great day, and even better because similar things were happening all over the world. It was nice being able to participate in something much larger than myself, and to see people all over the world organizing for a single important cause. Sphere: Related Content

Burlington, VT Major 350.org action!

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Fossil Fuel Free Adventures with the Outdoor Gear Exchange

Saturday October 24th is the International Day of Climate Action organized through 350.org.

350.org is a climate change campaign organization bringing together community voices in over 150 countries worldwide for a one day event.

The Outdoor Gear Exchange is hosting Fossil Fuel Free Adventures, on October 24th, to help 350.org create national and international pressure on climate change legislation. We are organizing community biking and hiking adventures, with a variety of difficulty levels. In an effort to encourage participation in these trips, the Outdoor Gear Exchange will be donating money to 350.org for every fossil fuel free adventurer. In addition we will be rewarding every participant with a free pair of Teko Eco-Merino wool socks! Please come prepared to take care of yourself and the group. The sign up for trips is in the entryway of the OGE, or email chriss@gearx.com for RSVPs. Our trips all start at the OGE, 152 Cherry Street, Burlington and details are as follows:

Organized Group Trips:

Mount Mansfield Epic:

Meet at the Outdoor Gear Exchange at 7:30 AM ready to ride, leaving by 8AM, bring everything needed for a full day (food, water, tubes, lights, etc.). Bike out Rt 15to Smugglers Notch hike up to the top of Vermont, take a group picture with a 350.org banner and then ride the loop back to Burlington via Waterbury and Rt 2. OGE donation: $20 to 350.org for each participant and a free pair of socks for each participant!

Mount Philo Adventure:

Meet at the Outdoor Gear Exchange at 10AM ready to ride, bring everything needed for a biking adventure (food, water, tubes, etc.). Bike out to Mount Philo on Spear Street, bike up to the top, take a group picture with a 350.org banner and then bike back to Burlington. OGE Donation: $10 to 350.org for each participant and a free pair of socks for each participant!

Do It Yourself Fossil Fuel Free Adventures:

We have created a selection of group and family local fossil fuel free adventures. All do it yourself adventures will start at the OGE to pick up suggested route maps and 350.org banners to take group pictures with. Do it yourself adventure groups are required to provide their own camera, so we can submit pictures to 350.org. Each participant will receive a free pair of socks and the OGE will make donations to 350.org in amounts determined by difficulty of the adventure.

Biking:

-North on the bike path to the water gap on the causeway. OGE donation: $20 to 350.org per group and a pair of socks for each participant!

-To the Ethan Allen tower in Ethan Allen Park. OGE donation: $15 to 350.org per group and a pair of socks for each participant!

-Down the paths through the Intervale Community Farms. OGE donation: $10 to 350.org per group and a pair of socks for each participant!

-North on the bike path to Bayside Park in Colchester. OGE donation: $15 to 350.org per group and a pair of socks for each participant!

-Out to Shelburne Pond. OGE donation: $20 to 350.org per group and a pair of socks for each participant!

-To Dorset Nature Park in South Burlington. OGE donation: $15 to 350.org per group and a pair of socks for each participant!

-To East Woods in South Burlington. OGE donation: $20 to 350.org per group and a pair of socks for each participant!

Hiking / Walking:

-Centennial Woods trails. OGE donation: $10 to 350.org per group and a pair of socks for each participant!

-Up the bike path to North Beach. OGE donation: $15 to 350.org per group and a pair of socks for each participant!

-Down the bike path to Oakledge Park. OGE donation: $15 to 350.org per group and a pair of socks for each participant!

-In the Intervale Community Farms. OGE donation: $15 to 350.org per group and a pair of socks for each participant!

-Out to the fishing pier by the Coast Guard station. OGE donation: $5 to 350.org per group and a pair of socks for each participant!

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Joining Forces with State Radio

On Friday, October 30th (from 1-3pm at the Great Room of the Main Street Landing), the Vermont Oxfam Action Corps will be joining forces with the non-profit branch of the bands State Radio and Dispatch, to draw attention to the ways in which climate change exacerbates gender inequalities in vulnerable communities throughout the world.

After a screening of the short film, Sisters on the Planet, we will hear from Arshinder Kaur, a consultant with the Women's Earth Alliance and recipient of the Environmental Leadership Fulbright who will share some of her experiences as an environmental organizer in India.

Join us at 1pm for lunch (catered by Sugar Snap), followed by the film and discussion. State Radio will also be doing an acoustic set to round it all out!

We hope to see you there. Please spread and word and bring friends!

To RSVP and for more information, please visit callingallcrows.org or email Vermont@OxfamActionCorps.org Sphere: Related Content

Two very timely articles on International Adaptation

The International Institute for Environment and Development does a fantastic job of highlighting the need to address adaptation as part of the international climate change negotiations. Please see below for two very relevant and timely articles showcasing recent research:

Cost of Adapting to Climate Change significantly Underestimated

Tazania has just 20 years to adapt agriculture to climate change, economists warn

We have the power to influence the outcomes of the international negotiations in favor of the world's poor. Let's use our power for good! Sphere: Related Content

Blog Action Day!

Happy Blog Action Day! Bloggers around the world are all posting about climate change today to raise awareness and take action on this great threat that is facing us.

We need to act now to make sure irreparable harm is not done to our world. Because of this 350.org is hosting events around the globe on October 24th to send a message to wolrd leaders that we need decisive action on climate change.

There's even events going on here in Vermont. So get involved and take action on climate change today! Sphere: Related Content

World Bank Estimate cost of adaptation: $75-100 billion/year!

World Bank Estimates Costs of Adaptation

30 September 2009: The World Bank has presented the results of an Economics of Adaptation to Climate Change (EACC) study, which estimates costs of adaptation to climate change in developing countries will be in the order of US$75-100 billion per year for the period 2010-2050, considering a 2°C warmer world.

The EACC study, funded by the Governments of the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, has two broad objectives. The first is to develop an estimate of the global costs of adaptation in developing countries. The second is to help decision makers in developing countries to better understand and assess the risks posed by climate change and to better design strategies to adapt to climate change, particularly keeping the most vulnerable communities in focus. A second report, based on seven country case studies, will be produced by the first half of 2010, focusing on the second objective. [The study website] [World Bank press release]

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