Christchurch Locals Looking For People-Power

to Move the Planet Beyond Fossil Fuels

On Saturday September 24th Christchurch locals are asking you to join the thousands around the country and the rest of the world by biking, running, skating, or skooting to participate in Moving Planet, a worldwide rally to move beyond fossil fuels. In earthquake affected Christchurch, a group of volunteers have put their hands up to organise the local Moving Planet event, and invite you to take part in the activities.

In New Zealand, the Moving Planet campaign will build on momentum gained over the past two years by 350.org, an international organization dedicated to building a grassroots movement for climate change solutions. The organisation’s name comes from 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide, the safe upper limit for avoiding the disastrous effects of climate change. Though 112 countries have endorsed the 350 ppm CO2 atmospheric target, the level currently stands at 392 ppm, and with current transport, agricultural, and industrial emissions, is set to increase. Last year on 10/10/10, 350’s Global Day of Action, New Zealand’s 130 events stood alongside the total of 7,000 community organised events all around the globe, sending a clear message: that the world wants to see CO2 moving back to a safe limit of 350 ppm. Building on the momentum from last year’s wildly successful event that made headlines all over the world, this year’s event is set to be the biggest yet.

Cantabrians now need people-power, and are calling on friends, family, work mates, and community groups to join in on the day and help send policymakers a clear message. “It’s important that this day is positive,” says Sacha Murray of Lincoln University, one of the key organizers. “We need to show that the future is not all doom-and-gloom, that there are great things happening--right here in Christchurch!”

“The science is clear, a future world run on fossil-fuel is no future at all. We’re calling on the Christchurch community to join together to show that we don’t want a world run on fossil-fuels.” says Sacha, “The science is clear, the only thing lacking is political will.” Though over one hundred countries have endorsed the 350 limit, some countries including China, the US, and even New Zealand, still do not.

People interested in participating are encouraged to find out more by visiting www.350.org.nz

This global rally is lead by 350.org in collaboration with a host of other international and New Zealand organisations including 350 Aotearoa, WWF, Unicef, The Coal Action Network, Cycle Advocacy Network, Frocks on Bikes and more.

On the day in Christchurch:

1-4 pm ICEcycles Free Bike Fix-up, Delta Trust, 105 North Avon Road, Richmond
2 pm- Walk and wheel Rally starts at Pioneer Stadium, heading for HagelyPark
4 pm- BYO Picnic in the Park; music, entertainment, refreshments
5 pm- Green Themed Bike Tour - Frocks on Bikes lead the procession to the CPIT Whare (Coventry Street, off Barbadoes)

5-7pm- The Great Vege Seedling Giveaway CPIT Whare
6pm – 6@6 Forum, CPIT Whare: speakers from 6 local businesses and organisations talk for 6 each minutes about the positive steps they’ve taken to help combat climate change and show how other people can make a difference. Speakers include Katie Nimmo, Geoff Henderson, Sue Jervis, Tony Moore, Rex Verity and students from Aranui High School.

For more information about the event in Christchurch please contact Sacha at movingplanetchch@gmail.com or find us on Facebook (Moving Planet - Fast Forward Christchurch and Twitter (350CHCH) Or visit www.350.org.nz.

What is the goal of the day?
The goal is to get moving beyond fossil fuels—both symbolically by pouring into the streets in the thousands on foot, bicycle and other means of sustainable movement, and politically by bringing powerful demands to our leaders that day to move beyond fossil fuels to a 350ppm world.

Why focus on moving away from fossil fuels?

The global fossil fuel infrastructure is a threat to our future everywhere, and a common target for our movement. It’s polluting our oceans, our land, our communities, our air, and our children’s lungs. The continued burning of coal and oil is what will tip climate change into climate catastrophe - getting off fossil fuels is the number one thing we need to do to get below 350ppm.
What are we moving towards?

To get below 350ppm, we know we need to get off fossil fuels as fast as possible. 350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Scientists measure carbon dioxide in "parts per million" (ppm), so 350ppm is the number humanity needs to get below as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change. After three centuries of burning coal, oil, and gas, we're at 392ppm – that’s above any levels we’ve seen in recorded history. To get back to 350, we need a different kind of PPM—a "people powered movement" that is made of people like you in every corner of the planet.

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