International Day of Climate Action
October 24, 2009 
Vermont Events 

This day of action is to get the attention of world leaders in advance of their important meetings in Copenhagen, Denmark in December.  People worldwide will let our leaders know that want them to approve a strong agreement to deal with the climate crisis. The organization 350.org is the sponsor of this day of action.  If you don’t yet have an action planned in your area, you can register one or find out about events at: www.350.org.  Click on the box “Search for actions near me”, then in the box next to “Actions”, type in your location. 

Here’s a partial list of activities happening in Vermont on 10/24/09. 
More details will be added in coming weeks. 

Barre/Montpelier: This action to address global climate change will focus on bringing support to completing the Barre Town/Montpelier Bike Path. Barre area folks will gather at the Restore at 1 p.m. and Montpelier folks will gather at Montpelier H.S. and ride their bikes to a mid point (perhaps the VSECU parking lot) where they’ll hear elected officials from area communities speak. Other activities for the day are also being planned.  Contact – George Plumb. 

Burlington: The “Dear World Project Walk” and “Human 350 Aerial Photo” will begin at 2 p.m., meeting at the UVM Davis Center west entrance (lakeside). The silent walk (with walkers distributing original art and information) to City Hall Park will be starting at 3 p.m. from the photo shoot, when the bells from UVM’s Ira Allen Chapel and Burlington’s Firehouse Gallery begin tolling 350 times (for 50 minutes). Some of the downtown churches will also be ringing their bells. Walkers please wear black (or something dark). To find out more about the walks, contact Cami Davis cdavis@uvm.edu. A prayer vigil will begin at City Hall Park at 3 p.m. People may send prayers, even if they can’t attend the vigil, to Betsy Hardy and may contact her to find out more about the vigil. A reception and speakers at the Firehouse Gallery will follow. Everyone: Set your phone alarms to 3:50 p.m. when we “wake up” to the climate crisis. 

Middlebury:  Events will happen on the Middlebury Town Green, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Middlebury College Sunday Night Group, MAGWAC, and ACORN are planning the activities. To volunteer or for more information, contact Laura Asermily.  

North Pomfret: The North Pomfret Congregational Church will be collecting 350 non-perishable food items to distribute to local food banks. This is to call attention to the impacts of global climate change on the world’s food supply, and to urge world leaders to commit to strong carbon emissions reductions. An informal presentation on climate change, open to all, will be held at the church at 7 p.m. on 10/24. Contact – Diedre Gish. 

Northfield: "At noon, on October 24, members of St. Marys Episcopal and the United Church of Northfield in Northfield, Vermont, will be ringing their church bell 350 times. The bells are rung by pulling a rope attached to the bell in the steeple. It takes strength! Individuals, teams and families are signing up to take their turn chiming in. Local organizers are letting their representatives, from the local boards to the US Senate, know their 350 concerns."

Rutland: Sustainable Rutland’s members have been planning a number of actions for 10/24 including 350 minutes of prayer, a light bulb exchange – giving away 350 CFL bulbs, a 350 clothespin give-away to encourage air drying, 350 minutes of environmentally-themed videos showing at a Rutland coffee shop, and more! Contact Sustainable Rutland. 

South Burlington: A dance party at Higher Ground will be simulcast to locations all over, with the music starting at about 9 pm. Two bands, Spiritual Rez and Barefoot Truth will play. For more information, go to:  www.vt350dance.com. Kathryn Blume will be MC for the event. You can watch a video to find out more here.  

Other events happening around the state on 10/24 include actions such as climbing Mt. Abe, meditating in Lincoln and Manchester, a garden work party in Putney, biking to & from and climbing Camel’s Hump, climate action festivals in Waitsfield, Cavendish, and more.  Go to www.350.org to see a list of actions and contacts.