I have not had the time to go out and take pictures that are worthy of a post – just a few here and there. Additionally,  from July to about now, it is very dry and hot under the rainless summer skies, so fire is always of concern. Fires have increased dramatically in the last decade, and much of that may be due to global warming.

Hence this post about 350.org – a website dedicated to taking steps to help ensure a safe climate future.  On October 24, people all around the world will be marking the day for getting involved. Click on the banner below to learn more.

An interesting link on the site www.350.org is to Green Choice:

GreenChoice, a South African initiative, is launching a challenge to their network to create 350 low carbon meals at 350 different homes by inviting friends around for a shared meal on October 24th – all made according to low carbon guidelines – and to take a photo to add to the flood we’re expecting on the day!  They created a great flyer, and are excited about the linkage between this event concept and their aims of initiating informed consumers and sustainable consumption choices.

GreenChoice focuses on positively changing the way naturally-derived food and fibre products are produced and consumed.  It’s a multi-stakeholder alliance, coordinated by WWF-South Africa and Conservation International, working closely with other conservation NGOs, government groups, industry, retailers and research institutions.  GreenChoice provides a platform for collaboration in identifying sustainable solutions, sharing knowledge, promoting better practices and gaining preferential market access for environmentally sound products.

You can learn more about GreenChoice at: http://www.wwf.org.za/index.php?section=Projects_EcoSystems&id=143

…Interested in organizing a food and farm action in your town on Oct. 24th? Visit http://www.350.org/foodandfarm to find ideas and inspiration (and to learn more about the connection between climate change, food and farming.)

At one time, I worked as an industrial chemist and tested the CO2 in the air every day as part of a series of tests for air quality, because the work was at an air separation plant. The CO2 in the air at that time was lower than it is now – about 330 ppm. 350 ppm is an optimum level, but the atmosphere now contains about 385 ppm.

I also learned that  oxygen is in the atmosphere thanks to biological activity on earth – i.e. it is not a fixed amount by any means and we need to safeguard the emitters of oxygen. One of the ways to do so is to ensure that we do not kill the O2 producers in a hot planet, and that is just one of many reasons for the importance of CO2 levels. Dissolved CO2 also contributes to the acidity of the ocean, and that is harmful to marine creatures.