International Day of Climate Action

Bike 350 McHenry County

“Bike 350 McHenry County” took to the bike trails and roads of McHenry County on Saturday, October 24, 2009. The Education Committee of McHenry County Defenders sponsored our local event, one of over 5000 events planned for October 24 in 181 countries. National 350.org organizer Bill McKibben made mention of our action in his blog (click here!).

 “350” is the number NASA Climatologist Dr. James Hansen and a team of scientists have set as the maximum number of carbon parts per million we can have in the atmosphere to have a planet “similar to the one on which civilization developed and to which life on earth is adapted.” Since we are beyond 385 now, there is work to be done. The world's leaders will meet in Copenhagen this December to craft a new global treaty on cutting carbon emissions, so people all over the world—from Antarctica to Zimbabwe—are showing their support for “350”.  The current draft version of the United Nations treaty now includes 350 parts per million as its target.

Through publicity we can make others aware of the need to decrease our collective carbon emissions. The 350 website posts photos from each event worldwide. Together we make a strong statement to our leaders. 

We pedaled over 550 miles in this low-key, low-carbon event. Riders selected a segment (or segments) from a road/bike trail map of the county that shapes that important number “350” in about 135 miles of routes. The “350” map incorporates both county bike trails and roads. For the smallest carbon footprint, the portion selected was close to home - by getting on our bikes at our homes, we didn't need to get into our cars.