Climate Change

According to 350.org, it's—you guessed it!—350. This is because scientists say that the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere is 350 parts per million.

350.org is organizing The International Day of Climate Action on October 24. Check out the website for ideas on how to get involved, whether it means spreading the word among family and friends, organizing an event, or raising awarness through the media.

Other ways to take part on this day: search the "action map" to see what others are doing around the world, or hone your photography skills. That's right—a hot number like this has to be pretty photogenic...so if you find a way to incorporate the number 350 in an iconic spot in your community, be sure to take a photo and upload to the website.

Last year, Maria and I went to the IWF World Leadership Conference. It was a very interesting event where we had a number of stimulating discussions. One of them was about the need to have a Youth Foundation which would impart entrepreneurship training and be instrumental in creating social entrepreneurs. I was already working in this field and decided to form the Climate Smart Entrepreneurs’ Alliance (CSEA) as a stepping stone to the Youth Foundation.

Young people from across Brazil spark a movement to bring change and empower communities.

All those who criticize online social networks and the time young people spend on them, will have to reconsider their arguments now. Especially after the example given by a group of young people from Brazil last month!

The simple idea of bringing people together to make a difference was enough to fire up a group of committed young people who decided to use Internet to respond the needs of Santa Catarina, a region in the South of Brazil that was affected by heavy floods last November.

After the floods, over 70,000 people were evacuated from their houses and infrastructure in the region was heavily impacted. After months, still many families are displaced, living with relatives or in provisory shelters and the prospects of development in the region were not looking at all promising until now.

The UN recently launched the Seal the Deal campaign, encouraging youth to sign the Climate Challenge Petition. This online, global petition will be presented to world leaders to remind them to sign off on an effective agreement at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December. The petition also calls upon leaders to seal a deal to power green growth, protect our planet and build a more sustainable, prosperous global economy that will benefit all nations and all people. 

There are many ways you can join in the campaign. You can start by signing the petition, of course, and getting your friends to sign too. Then learn about other youth activities coming up this year. Also in the works: Global Climate Week. This event will involve  synchronized actions such as tree planting and media events in 100 cities around the world. During this week, mass rallies will deliver the Climate Challenge Petition to world leaders in selected capital cities.

Let your voice be heard - sign up and spread the word!