by Joanne Poyourow of Transition LA

Our friends over at 350.org are organizing an international Day of Climate Action on Saturday October 24.  So far, people in more than 100 nations are taking part -— it's shaping up to be to be the biggest day of grassroots action on global warming ever.  But they're hoping for it to be much larger.  Here at Transition US, we came up with an idea:  what if Transition Initiatives joined in?

We could hold "teach-ins" on October 24 -- introductions to Transition in each local community.  Teach about climate change, teach about the significance of the number 350, teach about peak oil and the combined effect with climate change, teach about the lifestyle changes necessary to achieve that 350 goal, teach what Transition means. 

The people at 350.org (the same people who were behind the Step It Up action) are really great at getting media attention.  But their organization isn't really geared toward ongoing, transformative, community-level action.  That's where we come in.  When people look up 350 actions for their hometown on the 350 website, they'll learn about your local Transition Initiative as well!

Here at Transition US we are preparing tools for you -- a PowerPoint slideshow, some games, some publicity posters -- so that you and your local Initiative can join in.  No matter how small your group is, no matter how new to the Transition community, we'll provide the tools.  All you have to do is spread the word.

Start by logging on to the 350.org site.  Register an action in your hometown. 

• In the field where it says "Event Name" put "Transition [your town]: Teach-in about the Transition Movement." 
• At "Event Description" put the following: "Transition Initiatives are part of a vibrant, international grassroots movement that builds community resilience in response to the challenges of peak oil, climate change and the economic crisis.  Together we can make the transition to a more fulfilling, equitable and sustainable world.  Meet like-minded others and learn how you can participate in transforming our town.  We'll have games and a potluck feast.  See www.TransitionUS.org for more information."  If your local Transition Initiative has a web presence, list your local website instead.

Once we post the Transition/350 Project posters and fliers, you can insert your local information and begin to publicize your event.  Put the posters out at your local library, at coffee houses, on bulletin boards and at the healthy food store.  Send them to your local community newspapers and get in their calendar section.  It's a great way to support the 350 campaign, and at the same time raise awareness of the Transition actions within your local community.

More info about the 350 campaign is here: www.350.org

Transition/350 Project tools will be posted on our website, www.transitionus.org in the coming weeks.

--

Read Bill McKibben's letter to the Transition Community