We can't ignore climate change

On Saturday, about 75 people met behind the University of Illinois student union as part of 350.org to send a message about climate change. Faculty from atmospheric sciences spoke and explained the difference between climate and weather.

It does not appear to be big local news, but it was international news for CNN and The New York Times that around the globe on the same day 4,000 other groups in 170 countries from Mt. Everest to the Great Barrier Reef to the Maldivian Islands threatened with rising ocean levels, have created the largest mass action on climate change the world has ever seen.

The number 350 might be the most important in the world this December – it's the maximum amount of CO2 in parts per million that scientists say the earth's atmosphere can safely hold. The problem is how to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere to a level of 350 parts per million.

Whether or not one believes climate change is related to carbon dioxide, these events are important to all of us. It is better to do something good for the planet, drive less, turn down the thermostat this winter, use less petroleum based plastic and be wrong, than the alternative. The world's eyes will be on world leaders in December.

CAROLYN KNOX

Champaign