What is 350?
“I think our 350.org crew in New Zealand are leading the way. We work in 188 countries and I don’t think there is any place that has done a better job than New Zealand in terms of getting numbers supporting this movement [350.org].” Bill McKibben, author and co-founder of 350.org
350, the most important number for the planet
350 comes from 350 parts per million (ppm) of CO2 in the atmosphere, the level scientists say we need to get back to if we want to maintain the world as we currently know it. (Due to the burning of fossil fuels the world is currently at 392ppm). Unchecked climate change beyond 350 ppm means we’ll see more natural disasters, more outbreaks of disease, more food shortages, and more sea level rise.
But 350 is more than a number - it's a symbol of where we need to head as a planet. Read more on the science here.
To get back down to 350 we need to make large-scale changes and need to think bigger and bolder. We believe if we can get enough people to care, to be inspired and take action, we can preserve our planet and our future.
What we do
350 Aotearoa is the New Zealand arm of the international campaign 350.org to unite the world around solutions to climate change. Our mission is to inspire climate action in communities across New Zealand.
Less than three years ago we launched 350 Aotearoa, with the mission to inspire and engage individuals, communities, businesses and government around climate change solutions. We provide education, inspiration, practical tools, creative ideas and leadership to get New Zealand, and the rest of the world, back on track to climate safety and 350ppm. We also play a lead role in the delivery of 350.org’s Pacific work.
Find out more about what 350 Aotearoa has been up to in our
2011 Annual Report here
Watch "Because the World Needs to Know"
Take a look at the animation video the 350 global team has put together to introduce the 350 mission to the world. It's a pretty simple concept!
Our background
350 Aotearoa was launched on December 6th, 2008 at the 350 Climate Action Festival. Over 5,000 people converged on Waitangi Park in Wellington to celebrate our communities' connection and action on climate change.
In 2009, the global awareness campaign was centred on the International Day of Climate Action on 24th October, 2009. Over 160 awareness events took place in New Zealand, engaging thousands of Kiwis.
In 2010, the Global Climate Working Bee on 10/10/10, we asked even more individuals and groups to join thousands across the globe to organise their own climate action.
This year we have plans to do more. We aim to provide education, inspiration, practical tools, creative ideas and leadership to communities to get New Zealand and the rest of the world back to a 350ppm world.
350 wants to focus on the positive outcomes and opportunities of working collectively as a country to reach a goal of 350ppm – it’s more fun and we think more can be achieved this way!
Who runs 350 Aotearoa?
We're a charitable trust that is governed by a Board of Trustees.
Our campaigns are managed by a very small campaign team (1 Full Time Equivalent) with the assistance of many, many fantastic volunteers.
