By Janie Starr

For the Beachcomber

Three hundred fifty parts per million has become the magic number in climate circles, signifying the safe limit of CO2 in our atmosphere. Experts, from former Vice President Al Gore to Rajendra Pachauri, the United Nations’ top climate scientist, have embraced this goal to stabilize the planet and prevent untoward disaster. Now the trick is to convince our leaders to craft policies that will put the world on track to get back to 350ppm. We are currently at 387, and are hurling headlong in the wrong direction!

350.org is an international campaign dedicated to creating an equitable global climate treaty to reduce carbon dioxide output below 350ppm. 350.org’s International Climate Action Day, Saturday, Oct. 24, is shaping up to be to be the biggest one-day grassroots action ever focused on climate change, and its aim in the U.S. is to galvanize our representatives, through quirky and creative actions, to pass substantive climate legislation prior to the crucial U.N. Climate Negotiations in Copenhagen this December, when the world’s nations meet to formulate the new climate treaty.

As usual, it is up to us, we the people, to unite, right here at home, to squash the climate crisis.

That’s why Sustainable Vashon is joining 350.org in celebration of the Oct. 24 International Day of Climate Action. We invite Islanders to gather in solidarity with thousands of communities around the world from the Taj Mahal to the Great Barrier Reef to our own Village Green, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., that day. We have chosen to locate our action at the Farmers Market to highlight the impact of local food economies on decreasing our fossil fuel consumption.

Look for our big orange Jack-o-Lantern carved with the “350” logo, and come join the fun. We’ll be collecting donated squash and pumpkins of all kinds, which we will arrange in the numbered pattern — you guessed it — 350, for a photo op. We will send the pictures to 350.org, where they will become part of a gigantic, global, visual petition.

We encourage everyone to purchase your squash-for-donation from Island farm stands and Farmers Market vendors. You can drop them off at our “Squash the Climate Crisis” booth anytime between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., on Oct 24. Afterwards, we will donate them to the food bank, and, since Halloween will be right around the corner, we hope to acquire a smattering of jack-o-lanterns for food bank families. Both Hogsback Farm and Herb’s Pumpkin Patch have carving pumpkins, and all the farmers have a plethora of diverse squash varieties.

As a further incentive to participate, we will be giving away fresh cookies baked to perfection in a — you guessed it again — 350-degree oven, for your tasting pleasure. For the scientists among you, we will contrast them to a few burnt-to-a-crisp cookies, overbaked at 450!

To play your part in squashing the climate crisis, supporting your local farmers and food bank, sampling our yummy treats, and getting your picture taken, all you have to do is show up (rain or shine), contribute a squash or two, and raise your voices in support of International Climate Action. If you’d like, spice up our event with your own creative twist on the number 350: a used tee shirt with the magic number sequined on the front, a homegrown 350 sign, a gaily festooned umbrella, a 350 rap, your own carved pumpkin.

Climate prognosticators are known for their dour predictions and endless slideshows of glaciers melting and seas rising. In contrast, activists on Oct. 24 will showcase creative and joyful responses dedicated to demonstrating what is possible when the whole world galvanizes to squash the climate crisis. Three hundred fifty parts per million is a clear and specific goal, obtainable if we put our hearts, minds and playful spirits together. So far, 3,003 events have registered to participate in 158 countries. This. Will. Be. HUGE.

— Janie Starr is an Island activist and a member of Sustainable Vashon.

For more information, email Janie Starr at starrboogie@earthlink.net, or go to www.sustainablevashon.org. For more ideas, check out www.350.org, and to further show local support, please register for our local event at www.350.org/node/8887/.