Three powerful digits, from science to culture

Former ABBA star Benny Andersson (to the left) after performing the song “SOS” together with Ane Brun (in blue dress).

Saturday was a global day of action to draw attention to the number 350, which is the safe limit of CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. It turned out an intense day in many places of the world, and I was amazed and happy to see such a crystal clear link between what science says needs to be done and grass root actions.

Here in Stockholm the main square Sergels torg was filled with people forming the number 350, and inside the cultural center Kulturhuset seminars and workshops about climate change were held all day long.

Singing for 350

In the evening I went to see a grand gala with around 25 artists, which was arranged at a theatre, hosted by the artist Ane Brun. During the summer she attended a three day seminar about climate change. What she heard there made her decide she had to do something. The result was this concert. During 350 minutes some of Sweden’s finest artists put music to many of the feelings that the climate crisis can awake.

Below you can see Robyn’s contribution.

Serious message

All this has hopefully helped to put the number 350 up on the agenda. But, as professor Johan Rockström pointed out during a presentation of the Planetary Boundaries report a few weeks ago: This number requires action, and is a very serious message to the world that an enormous amount of things need to be done. The safe limit of CO2 in the atmosphere is 350 parts per million. Today we are at 387. That means it isn’t enough to emit less greenhouse gases – we actually need to suck CO2 out of the system.

Sara Jeswani - Sustainability

October 26, 2009

• 350
• climate change
• culture