In 2007, research of Goddard Institute for Space Studies scientist James E. Hansen, stated that 350 parts-per-million (ppm) of CO2 in the atmosphere is a safe upper limit (i.e. the maximum level of C02) to avoid a climate tipping point. Climate tipping points can mean desertification, flooding, and the disappearance of the homes of many people.  

Based on this research, Bill McKibben and a group of students from Middlebury College started to organize. The “Step It Up” campaign in 2007 involved 1,400 demonstrations at famous sites across the United States. Listen to a 2007 rabble.ca podcast about Step It Up here.  As presidential candidates, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton changed their energy policies during their campaigns, and Step It Up does deserve some credit for this. Starting in 2008, 350.org built upon the “Step It Up” campaign and made it into a global organization. 

This group is one of the key organizers of the July 3rd to July 5th actions termed We > Tar Sands: Action for Jobs, Justice and Climate which will take place before the Climate Summit in Toronto from July 7 to 9, 2015. For more information, visit this rabble.ca tookit page