By Koty Neelis
Western Herald
This weekend Kalamazoo will join people all over the world in taking a stand towards a safer climate future.
The Strutt Records and The Interdisciplinary Development through Education and Art (IDEA) Association will present two days of live music, collaborative art, and community discussions on sustainable development both Friday and Saturday in an effort to host a day of community action in regards to the 350 movement taking place on Oct. 24.
The 350 movement, organized by www.350.org, urges global leaders to take fast and effective action on global warming.
It is the first global campaign ever organized around a scientific data point – 350 parts per million CO2 is the safe upper limit for the atmosphere according the organization.
According to www.350.org, to tackle climate change, groups need to move quickly, as they expect 2009 will be an absolutely crucial year. This December, world leaders will meet in Copenhagen, Denmark, to craft a new global treaty on reducing emissions.
The Web site 350.org argues that the treaty currently on the table doesn’t meet the severity of the climate crisis—it doesn’t pass the 350 test.
In order to unite the public, media, and political leaders behind the 350 goal, the organization is utilizing the Internet to coordinate a planetary day of action on Oct. 24. It is their goal to have assemblies at hundreds of iconic places around the world.
Kalamazoo will be participating in this day of action as one of 2,000 rallies expected to take place in over 140 nations worldwide. Simultaneously, people in every corner of the world will be taking similar action, from climbers with 350 banners high on the melting slopes of Mount Everest to government officials in the Maldive Islands holding an underwater cabinet meeting to demand action on climate change before their nation disappears.
IDEA’s CEO Mark Thompson said it was a coincidence that both he and Darren Bain, owner of The Strutt, heard about the 350 movement during a similar time.
“Learning about the 350 movement around the same time was kind of serendipitous. Since we were both interested and were already going to hold an event, we decided to collaborate,” Thompson said.
The Strutt Records organized 17 musicians to record songs for the 350 movement and create a compilation into a 350 Benefit Album, which will be released Oct. 24. Two days of live music from the artists featured on the album will take place from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Oct. 23 and 24.
Local experts will present throughout the day Oct. 24 culminating in a feature panel discussion at 6:00 p.m.
Presentations will focus on the general theme of local sustainable development with each speaker narrowing in on that issue based on their expertise.
In choosing speakers Thompson focused on the issues that were most significant to the city of Kalamazoo and its’ residents.
“As it turned out, IDEA Association held cultural events in the last year and a half and we surveyed what issues were most important to people and sustainability was definitely the biggest issue.”
All discussions are expected to be highly participatory with attendees driving the discussion through the question and answer portion of the evening.
IDEA will also videotape all discussions and make them available through their YouTube channel.
Amanda Ronin, junior, is planning on going to the event and is excited Kalamazoo is involved in a global effort to raise awareness on environmental issues.
“This is where change happens, right in people’s communities. People can try to dissuade the idea about global warming or issues with our environment but it’s just turning your cheek the other way,” she said.
“I love that not only Western but also Kalamazoo is taking a step towards sustaining our future. Although I’m only 21, I still think about the impact I’m making environmentally.
Even if you stop drinking bottled water and buy an Eco Mug or something similar you really are making a difference even it’s a small difference.”
People of all ages, especially children are encouraged to attend as the day will include a portion dedicated to youth engagement on this issue with local youth development leaders from Future 4 Teens, The Greater Kalamazoo YMCA, and Woodward Elementary School providing programs for youth.
Additional action includes collecting 350 commitments from community members on how they can help fight climate change at the local level.
Pledges can be filled out online at www ideaassociaton.org or at The Strutt. Saturday’s event will also include an all day 350-themed collaborative art project.
“This is a chance to see tons of collaborative art and a chance to see local artists perform which helps round out the discussions on the social issues of sustainability,” Thompson said.
For a full Schedule of events on Oct. 24 visit www.ideaassociation.org/projects. To check out photos from events happening all around the world you can log on to www.350.org/media.
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