350.org’s Day of Action Sweeps College Campuses

        Living on a college campus, it seems all the rage to be an environmental activist these days. To students, making their university greener is as trendy as wearing Uggs or sporting a North Face jacket. This movement, however, goes beyond one student environmental group’s activities on campus. On October 24^th more than 5,000 groups—many of which were American colleges and universities— in 181 countries participated in 350.org’s first annual Day of Action. 

350.org, an international environmental organization, works to pressure governments to lower the amount of carbon emission in the atmosphere from 390 parts per million to the scientifically recognized safe amount of 350PPM.

Grassroots Communications Coordinator Matt Fitzgerald says, “This is not the environmental movement of stereotypes. We have a diverse constituency of participants of all economic and faith backgrounds—students as well as staff and professors.”

On the Day of Action, groups were called upon to creatively spell out 350, take a picture, and send it to the organization to be distributed to the press, politicians, and environmental action groups showing the universal support behind the mission. (Participants in Germany spell out their message. Right.)

What does all of this mean for American colleges and universities? 350.org was founded by author Bill McKibben and a student group at Middlebury College. It is now recognized as the organizer of the largest-scale climate rally in history. Like Middlebury, administrators at every university can further student interest by incorporating the mission of groups such as 350.org into course curriculum. From my experience, students quickly become more passionate about course material if they can relate it to a movement they’ve seen on campus—especially if it’s one they’ve participated in. Administrators can also show support by going to student-led events such as 350.org’s Day of Action, campus awareness raising campaigns, or club meetings.

        Perhaps the best means of administrative support, however, is by bringing dynamic and engaging lecturers to campus. Presenters who are young, energetic, and close to the university community relate well to undergraduates and will engage the student body, maximizing students’ retention of material and interest in the issues. It is evident by the high level of interest and dedication on college campuses that young adults already care about these issues. It is now up to administrators, faculty, and staff to use the momentum of this movement to its maximum potential.