350 Indonesia

The quantity and quality of these solidarity events is a true testament to the power of a national movement united for climate action. And with modern technology and social media the thousands of miles of distance between DC and where I was in San Francisco didn’t even feel that far; we were all standing together for the same vision. I ended the day with the most profound love and respect for the climate movement as I’ve ever felt and my feelings only grow stronger each time I see the photos we’ve received from all of these actions.
I invite you to check out these photos for yourself here! And if you have any from a solidarity action you attended we would love to add them to the album - just email them as an attachment to [email protected] with your location as the subject line.

Washington, D.C., February 17, 2013 – Today, during President’s Day weekend, more than 35,000 people are marching to the President's doorstep to support immediate action to contain climate change. People from more than 30 states across the country whose land, homes and health is being threatened by the climate crisis, as well as students, scientists, indigenous community members and many others are participating in this largest climate rally in U.S. history.
“For 25 years our government has basically ignored the climate crisis: now people in large numbers are finally demanding they get to work. We shouldn't have to be here--science should have decided our course long ago. But it takes a movement to stand up to all that money,” said 350.org founder Bill McKibben.
Rally participants are calling on President Obama to reject the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline and put limits on dangerous carbon pollution from the nation's dirtiest power plants. Much of President Obama's legacy will rest squarely on his response, resolve, and leadership in fighting the climate crisis. Rally participants are looking for him move forward on his recent State of the Union address declaration when he said, “For the sake of our children and our future, we must do more to combat climate change.”
“Twenty years from now on President’s Day, people will want to know what the president did in the face of rising sea levels, record droughts and furious storms brought on by climate disruption,” said Michael Brune, Executive Director of the Sierra Club.  “President Obama holds in his hand a pen and the power to deliver on his promise of hope for our children.  Today, we are asking him to use that pen to to reject the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, and ensure that this dirty, dangerous, export pipeline will never be built.”
The Keystone XL tar sands project would pipe some of the dirtiest oil on the planet through the breadbasket of America to be shipped overseas through the Gulf of Mexico. It would be a disaster for our climate, producing tar sands crude that kicks out two or three times as much carbon pollution as producing conventional crude oil.
“The Yinka Dene Alliance of British Columbia is seeing the harm from climate change to our peoples and our waters,” said Chief Jacqueline Thomas, immediate past Chief of the Saik’uz First Nation in British Columbia and co-founder Yinka Dene Alliance (“People of the Earth”). “We see the threat of taking tar sands out of the Earth and bringing it through our territories and over our rivers. The harm being done to people in the tar sands region can no longer be Canada’s dirty secret. We don’t have the billions of dollars that industry has. But we do have  our faith that people will do the right thing to protect Mother Earth. The Forward on Climate Rally shows that we are not alone in the fight to stop tar sands expansion and tackle climate change.”

To RSVP or for more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/545359235484063/

Monterey

When: Sunday, February 17, 12-2 p.m.

Where: Window on the Bay Park, Del Monte Avenue at El Estero, Monterey CA 93940

What: Forward on Climate Solidarity Rally. Signs provided; participants are welcome to bring their own. Blankets and picnic items for sharing are encouraged. Let's strive to make it a zero waste event!

Sponsored by: Unitarian Universalist Church Social Justice - Faith in Action/Legislative Ministry, Progressive Democrats of America Monterey County, and Sierra Club Ventana Chapter

To RSVP or for more details, including a map and contact info: https://www.facebook.com/events/200787623399106

San Diego

When: Sunday, February 17, 1-3 p.m.

Where: Mission Bay Park Visitors Center, 2688 East Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 921095 and I-5 overpass

What: Rally with speakers, giant banners, singing telegram for President Obama, and more.

Sponsored by: SanDiego350.org, Citizens Climate Lobby, Sierra Club San Diego, and other organizations

To RSVP or for more information: https://sandiego350.org/ai1ec_event/keystone-pipeline-protest/

San Francisco

When: Sunday, February 17, 1-3 p.m.

Where: One Market Plaza, 1 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94105

Sponsored by: Local Bay Area 350 organizations, chapters of The Sierra Club, NRDC, and dozens of other Bay Area organizations

To RSVP or for more information: https://www.350bayarea.org/forward_on_climate_bay_area_rally

Read more to see other rallies around the country:

The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) has graciously given their support for the upcoming Forward on Climate rally on February 17th in Washington, D.C. 

350.org is ecstatic to have the support of these vulnerable nation-states. It's they who bear the brunt of climate change and its crippling effects. Amb. Marlene Moses, Chair of AOSIS explains:

“The rally comes in the aftermath of a season of record tropical storms in Palau, the Philippines, Samoa, and Fiji that has graphically illustrated how climate change involves the most fundamental aspect of social justice: that of life and death.”

Hope to see you in DC on F17! Register here. 

It wasn't the largest international climate march there has been -- except that it was the first ever protest march of any sort here in Doha, Qatar. Hundreds of people joined the march organized by Doha Oasis, IndyACT, and the Arab Youth Climate Movement. It was an unprecedented event for the local climate movement and a beautiful expression of the energy and passion of the Arab Youth Climate Movement.

It is abundantly clear that the UN meetings will not deliver action according to what science and justice demand until our movement outside the meetings is larger and more powerful. In that light, to see the movement pick up here on the streets of Doha and build momentum for the whole Arab region is most hopeful aspect of this convergence here in Doha. It's up to all of us to keep that momentum going now -- not just in the Arab world, but everywhere.

Her book is a wonderful mix of academic insight and practical tips to help local organisers inspire a storm of action and inspiration. And what is really great is that the e-version of her book is free to download!

We're such big fans of her work that we asked her to tell us a bit about the book and what motivates her:

The book:

It is aimed at people who want to be part of positive social change. In my view making a difference is simple. You start with yourself and what and who you know. What are your skills and passions? Who can you work with? What is happening in your part of the world? If you act out of obligation you won’t stay the distance. Act because you believe changing the world is a fun, meaningful and enriching way to spend your time. In my view, it is. The sustainability movement is not about convincing each other that the end of the world is nigh unless we change our evil ways, it is about about working together to create a world in which we can all flourish.

By writing this book I’ve engaged with numerous groups and individuals who want to take a fresh approach. I’ve talked with students, academics, youth groups, a meditation group, eco-psychologists, businesses, health agencies and activists. They fill me with optimism that there is change in the air (a natural mystic rising as the late, great, Bob Marley sang).

Motivation:

I want instant gratification, so my own change efforts are consistent with my advice to others. I love being fit, so I cycle to work. I wish the roads were safer and less polluted, so I write submissions to my council suggesting cycle ways. I am keen to spend time with like-minded others, so I am a member of our local Transition Town. (Well actually, I was one of the people that started our Transition Town. It’s easy to do.) I love shopping at Trade Aid, so fair trade gifts are my standard offering at birthdays and Christmas. I believe mass events make politicians take notice, so I attend marches on climate change, mining and other environmental and social justice issues. I want my workplace to be a leader in sustainability so I am working with a group of students and staff on organisational changes. I support others when I can, I am thrilled to be involved in the Power Shift in December. I am still waiting for someone to organise a 350 flashmob near me, because I rather fancy myself as a dancer. 
Ensuring this world retains the physical conditions needed to sustain human life and that we treat each other well is, to me, where it is at. And this isn’t an exclusive party, there is room for everyone. 

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So check out the book yo - there's heaps of helpful insights for local organisers! 

Psychology for a Better World: Strategies to Inspire Sustainability is free to download from www.psych.auckland.ac.nz/psychologyforabetterworld. Hard copies can also be ordered from the site.