Wisconsin’s 350 Day of Climate Action: 10 Easy Actions You Can Take Right Now

On Saturday, October 24, people dedicated to the number 350 came together for 350 International Day of Climate Action to raise awareness of global warming and fight for action on climate change.

But what’s the significance in the number? Leading scientists say 350 is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide, measured in parts per million (ppm), in our atmosphere; it's the number humanity needs to get below as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change. At present, there are 387 ppm of CO2 in our atmosphere.

“We need to take action now to bring the parts per million down to 350 and stay there,” says Katy Walter, 1Sky organizer with Clean Wisconsin, the state’s largest environmental advocacy organization. “The 350 Day of Action is just the first step in the call for a solution to the climate crisis.”

Can’t make a local 350 action? You can take simple steps to reduce your personal carbon contribution. Here are 10 easy actions, along with the pounds of carbon dioxide you’ll divert from the atmosphere annually.

Action: Keep your tires properly inflated. Savings: 250 lbs. CO2
Action: Combine your trips and cut one 20-minute car trip per week. Savings: 1,200 lbs. CO2
Action: Insulate your water heater. Savings: 1,000 lbs. CO2.
Action: Carpool to work or telecommute just one day per week: Savings: 4,000 lbs. CO2
Action: Wash clothes in warm or cold water, not hot. Savings: 500 lbs. CO2 (for two loads a week/annually)
Action: Go meat-free every other day. Savings: 500 lbs CO2
Action: Turn down heat by 10 degrees at night. Savings: 2,070 lbs. CO2 (electric); 900 lbs. (gas).
Action: Run the dishwasher on full: Savings: 100 lbs. CO2
Action: Unplug unused electronics. Savings: 1,000 lbs. CO2
Action: Keep showers to 5 minutes and install a low-flow showerhead. Savings: 300 lbs. CO2

For more information on 350 International Day of Climate Action, including events around Wisconsin, visit www.350.org.

Clean Wisconsin, an environmental advocacy organization, protects Wisconsin’s clean water and air and advocates for clean energy by being an effective voice in the state legislature and by holding elected officials and polluters accountable. Founded in 1970 as Wisconsin’s Environmental Decade, Clean Wisconsin exposes corporate polluters, makes sure existing environmental laws are enforced, and educates citizens and businesses. On behalf of its 10,000 members and its coalition partners, Clean Wisconsin protects the special places that make Wisconsin such a wonderful place to live, work and play. Phone: 608-251-7020, Fax: 608-251-1655, Email: information@cleanwisconsin.org, Website: www.cleanwisconsin.org.

1Sky is a collaborative national campaign for strong federal action to tackle global climate change and invest in building the clean energy economy of the future. As one of the largest national campaigns in the country, 1Sky combines the force of 500 allied organizations, 168,000 committed climate advocates, 2,200 volunteer Climate Precinct Captains covering more than 380 congressional districts in 50 states, and a team of 51 including 40 organizers in 29 states working to mobilize constituent support. For more information on 1Sky contact Alex Posorske at (301) 270-4550 x230 or alex@1sky.org