Event Report: Saturday, 24 October 2009 - 11:00 - 2:00
North Gardens, Wendouree Pde, Lake Wendouree

The BIG Picture - for a Safe Climate
International Day of Climate Action

WOW - what a fabulous day! Around 450 people gathered in North Gardens to create a spectacular human sign!

View the photos from the day!

350 IS NIFTY! Ballarat Community comes out for climate change

The Ballarat community came out in force on October 24, calling on the Rudd government to take strong and immediate action on climate change before the problem gets any worse. About 450 people unveiled a human sign saying '350', participants urged the government to adopt a target of 350ppm in international climate negotiations in Copenhagen in December.

“350ppm is what scientists are telling us is the maximum level of carbon dioxide for a safe climate,” said BREAZE Executive Officer, Ms. Lisa Kendal. “Our current level is 387ppm, which is dangerously high and needs to come down.”

“For Australia, this means emissions reductions of 25-40% by 2020, which is much more than what our government is currently offering. Kevin Rudd can follow the lead of other countries like Japan and Norway and increase our targets going into Copenhagen to give these vital negotiations every chance of success.”

The family atmosphere was a big part of the day, with hundreds of children and parents enjoying the music, circus and entertainment.

“I loved it when the plane flew over us and took our picture,” said Rosie Bray, seven year old BREAZE member.

“Climate change is THE most important issue facing our generation,” said Ballarat Grammar student, Millie Enbom-Goad. “If our politicians can't get this right in the next five years or so, we face a very bleak future. That's why I came today.”

Ballarat Mayor, Judy Verlin, was on hand to speak to the crowd. “Council has adopted strong local emissions reduction targets of 30% below 2000 levels by 2010 and zero net emissions by  2020,” continued Cr. Verlin, “An international target of 350ppm is very much in line with our own so we're glad to support it.”

The event was one of over 4000 actions, co-ordinated by 350.org, that took place in over 170 countries around the world on Saturday. Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org called it “the single most widespread day of political action the planet has ever seen.”

Along with pictures from other events, images of The BIG Picture were shown in Times Square, New York as well as presented personally by 350.org workers to delegates at UN climate talks from now until Copenhagen.

“A day like this builds on all the great sustainability work that's being done all year round in Ballarat by our residents and by BREAZE,” said Ms. Kendal. “We're delighted with the turnout.”

Thankyous
The day wouldn't have been a shadow of its glorious self without the generosity and assistance of so many wonderful people and groups!

• Mick Trembath from Champion Projects
• The Bean Barn
• Ballarat Community Circus
• Vocalise
• Mojo Photography
• Leon Dwyer
• Genevieve Martin
• Musicians Arkie Williams, Joshua Cheyenne & The Cookhouse
• Mayor Judy Verlin and City of Ballarat
• Pleasant Street PS
• Napoleons PS
• St. Patricks PS

thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you... well not quite 350 - but you get the idea...

About the Sign
The Big Picture is a 'human sign', arranging hundreds of people in letters on the ground to form the message '350'. A plane photographed the sign  from above. The slogan “350 is nifty” was dreamt up by the Junior School Council at Pleasant St Primary school who won the competition for choosing the day's message.

About 350.org
Founded by author and environmentalist Bill McKibben, 350.org is the first large-scale grassroots global campaign against climate change. Its supporters include leading scientists, the governments of 89 countries, and a huge variety of environmental, health, development and religious NGOs. All agree that current atmospheric levels of greenhouse gas emissions—385 parts per million—are causing damage to the planet and to its most vulnerable people, and that government action at the Copenhagen climate conference is required to bring the earth’s carbon level swiftly down.
For more information, visit www.350.org/australia and www.350.org

Ballarat Courier Write up
See the coverage in "BREAZE in the Media", under "News", or see the articles right here.