A Popular Movement is Necessary

Here's the key challenge -- there's simply not a big enough movement yet to get action.

Everywhere who isn't a die-hard ideologue knows this is the biggest challenge humanity has ever faced, and yet almost everyone imagines some expert or leader is going to solve it -- or that it's too large to solve.

There hasn't really been a popular movement, which is why the pressure from vested interest and inertia is enough to carry the day. Which is why it's good news that we've got the first big global grassroots movement just about to pop. 350.org (the name is drawn from what scientists now tell us is the maximum safe atmospheric concentration of co2 measured in parts per million) is running a global day of action on Oct. 24, that will coordinate nearly a thousand events across America, and thousands more in 135 nations worldwide.

Hopefully it will be one of several things to demonstrate to our leaders that they can safely act with more courage in Congress and in Copenhagen as the fall wears on.

By Bill McKibben  |  October 4, 2009; 4:10 PM ET Save & Share:                 
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