Saturday, October 24, is International Day of Climate Action and the Gill Tavern is taking part-- and we would like YOU to join in. International Climate Action Day is spearheaded by 350.org as it seeks to draw attention to the number 350. Why 350? It is the number leading scientists have indicated as the safe upper limit of carbon dioxide (measured in "Parts Per Million") in our atmosphere. We have already exceeded that limit. But renowned environmentalist and author, Bill McKibben is urging a world-wide effort to reverse the current course of climate change. His campaign is named 350.org and will culminate on October 24th with citizen actions in communities around the world. People in more than 1000 communities are taking part-and it's shaping up to be the biggest day of grassroots action on global warming ever.

At the Gill Tavern we will gather from 4-5 pm in the back room to discuss the ways we try in our own lives to reduce our carbon footprint. It's an opportunity for sharing and inspiration. It's a time for being part of a larger global gathering that shows its unity and strength to our leaders and the larger international community whose cooperation will be needed to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million.

Farmers in Cameroon, students in China, even World Cup skiers have already helped spread the word about 350. Churches have rung their bells 350 times; Buddhist monks have formed a huge 350 with their bodies against the backdrop of Himalayas. 350 translates across every boundary of language and culture. As part of the global action on October 24th, there will be school children planting 350 trees in Bangladesh, scientists hanging banners saying 350 on the statues on Easter Island, 350 scuba divers diving underwater at the Great Barrier Reef and a thousand more creative actions like these. At each event- small and large- people will gather for a group photo that somehow depicts 350-and upload that photo to the web 350.org.

At 5pm we too will take a picture of our group and upload that photo to 350.org. As actions take place around the world, 350.org will link all the pictures together electronically via the web for a powerful visual petition linking together the entire planet that will be delivered to the media and world leaders.

If you can, arrive by bicycle- for there is no better way to travel. Ride one for every trip you can and all the other actions to reduce CO2 in our world become easier and the motivation to act starts to assert itself. For years the People's Pint has been promoting this, and now the Gill Tavern would also like to encourage you to ride your bike! To facilitate this, the Gill Tavern will be offering a $3.50 discount on checks of $10 or more to anyone arriving by bike.

We need a movement of people who care enough about our shared global future to get involved and make their voices heard. Please come join us this Saturday for 350's International Day of Climate Action.

-Laura Carboni from The Gill Tavern