Students participate in 350.org's International Day of Climate Action

GOSHEN, Ind. — Goshen College students are participating in 350.org's International Day of Climate Change on Saturday, Oct. 24. The campaign is dedicated to creating an equitable global climate treaty that lowers carbon dioxide below 350 parts per million. 350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide — measured in parts per million in our atmosphere.

Led by environmental author and educator Bill McKibben, 350.org is coordinating the international day of action at hundreds of iconic places around the world – from the Taj Mahal to the Great Barrier Reef – hoping to spark a global movement that will unite the public, news media and political leaders behind the 350 goal.

Schedule of events in Goshen:

Saturday, Oct. 24

9 a.m. – Trash collection, Church-Chapel parking lot (near the recycling bins)
All trash created by Goshen College for three days will be gathered in one heap. Volunteers will sort through it and do a trash audit. The refuse will then be made into a 350 sign.

12 p.m. – Community lunch, Union Gym East
Free food will be provided, but attendees are welcome to bring food as well. The college's dining service, AVI Fresh, has donated biodegradable plateware for use. A drum circle will be held with drums, buckets and recycled items to make music with. People will speak about climate change, including Dave Ostergren, director of graduate studies at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College.

1:15 p.m. – Raffle, Union Gym East
On Oct. 22 and 23, participants will receive a raffle ticket for every call they make or letter they send to a representative. People must be present to win and prizes include a bike, powerstrips, light bulbs, can openers, etc. At this time, the campus bell will ring 350 times.

1:30 p.m. – Bike/walk to the Elkhart County Courthouse (downtown Goshen)
The group will walk to the Elkhart County Courthouse in downtown Goshen with banners, signs and enthusiasm, leaving from the Union Gym East. The route will go up 8th Street to Jefferson Street and then up Main Street to the courthouse.

2 p.m. – At the downtown Goshen courthouse
The gathering at the courthouse will include acoustic music
, signing of petitions, a speaker about climate change and finally a photo of the group.

8 p.m. – Environmental and Social Justice Coffee House, Newcomer Center Room 19
Free with donations accepted.

All news media are invited to attend. The spokesperson for this event is Goshen College junior and event organizer Alana Kenagy who can be reached by phone at (541) 905-2111 or by e-mail at alanask@goshen.edu. For directions and a campus map, visit: www.goshen.edu/aboutgc/map.php. For more information about 350.org and the International Day of Climate Action, visit: www.350.org.

Editors: Photographers are welcome at any of the events listed. For more information about this media advisory, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

### 

Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college's Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron's Best Buys in Education, "Colleges of Distinction," "Making a Difference College Guide" and U.S.News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" edition, which named Goshen a "least debt college." Visit www.goshen.edu.