This weekend all over the globe many events are taking place–organized by many different groups in the TckTckTck coalition, including 350.org, as well as the Global Climate Campaign. These are occurring right in the middle of the Copenhagen climate conference. There will be big rallies on Saturday in many cities around the globe, and on Sunday communities of faith the world over will ring church bells, beat drums, blow horns–all 350 times.
The vigils are being called “Vigils for Survival.” All over the world people will gather at iconic and strategic locations in their communities and will light candles of hope to stand in solemn solidarity with the citizens of the nations whose very survival is threatened by the climate crisis. These nations are calling for a “survival pact,” for commitments by the developed world to cut emissions enough to get the atmospheric concentration of CO2 back to 350. They know the simple, mathematical truth of global warming: 350=Survival. If you would like to register a vigil in your community, there’s still time to do so. Click here to register a vigil in your community. If you’d like to find one that you can attend, click here to search for one that is close to where you live.
Saturday, December 12th, is the global day of rallies, marches and protests. Historically, the Saturday in the middle of the UN climate negotiations has been an important day for the global climate movement–it’s the the midway point in the UN talks and an important mobilization moment for cities around the world. Many rallies are being planned in big cities already–to see if anything is being planned near you click here to check the website of the Global Climate Campaign. To search for a 350 vigil (on either Friday, Dec. 11th or Saturday, Dec. 12th) click here.
This Sunday represents the “Sounds of 350.” On Sunday, December 13th, communities of faith–churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, and all kinds of spiritual groups–are invited to “sound out” the 350 call to action. Led by the World Council of Churches, who are also partnering with other faith and interfaith groups, people all over the world will gather to ring bells, beat drums, and make all kinds joyful, prayerful noises 350 times. Since Sunday leads into the final week of negotiations at the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, there in Copenhagen, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, and other faith leaders will be gathered for their own interfaith celebration at which they will ring the bells of the Lutheran Cathedral 350 times. And all across the world churches and all communities of faith are invited to take part. Click here to register a “Sounds of 350″ event in your community. Visit 350.org/faith for additional information and resources.
This is an amazing weekend and a great opportunity to get involved. We all share this planet together–we are all called to be stewards and ambassadors for change to bring our planet back into health and balance. Maybe it’s not possible for some of us to attend a rally or vigil this Saturday or to participate in the ringing of bells this Sunday, but does that have to mean that we can’t find some other way to be involved? Maybe starting today, we look at ways in which we can contibute less to the growing CO2 levels in our atmosphere. Maybe starting today, we acknowledge that each and every one of us counts and that we can play a part in the needed changes. So how will you help now and/or in the future?
DID YOU KNOW…
*Starting as far back as December of 2008 hundreds of churches rang their church bells 350 times in the United States. And since then the bell ringing actions, drumming, shofar blowing, and other kinds of spiritual celebrations of 350 have stretched all across the globe.
*Social justice, creation care, stewardship, earth community, beloved community–there are many ways we can name and express our moral and spiritual perspectives on this issue. We are all invited, no matter our faith or tradition, to join in prayer, meditation, action, and celebration for 350.
FOR TODAY…I will continue to be involved in making my voice heard. I will continue to show my dedication to the restoration of our planet’s health. I will continue to show my love for Mother Earth!
