Many N.E. events planned in global warming demonstration
Worldwide, 175 nations will host 4,500 activities
If you see people with snorkels, life vests, and scuba gear in Boston’s Christopher Columbus Park this afternoon, it is not because of the expected heavy downpours. It is to highlight their concern that critical parts of Boston could be submerged as global warming raises sea levels.
The event, which will involve forming a human and sandbag sea wall, is just one of scores planned around New England today as part of the 350.org International Day of Climate Action, which is led by author and Lexington native Bill McKibben.
Billed as the largest political environmental action effort in the world’s history, the day will include some 4,500 events in more than 175 nations. Organizers hope to persuade world leaders to create meaningful policies to reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million, the amount some leading scientists say is required for the climate to remain stable. Today, levels hover around 390 parts per million.
Some 190 countries will be meeting in Copenhagen in December to hammer out a new treaty to reduce emissions of heat trapping gases, which cause global warming.
Today’s events will be anything but sedate and are meant to grab the world’s attention. In Hungary, for example, hundreds of people plan to jump into Budapest’s public baths for a synchronized swimming performance.
Locally, “Revolutionary Riders’’ will bicycle from the Hancock Church in Lexington to Concord for an Energy Revolution Rally in Minuteman National Park at 12:15 p.m. In New Bedford, the weekend Bioneers conference is designed to help people take civic action for a more sustainable world.
The Mission Hill Energy Fair will host the Stop Asthma-Stop Global Warming ride from Roxbury to Columbus Park.
Hundreds of churches, from Brookline’s United Parish Church to Acton’s Congregational Church, will ring their bells 350 times. Some faith communities in Waltham have hung 8-foot banners from their buildings declaring “Climate Change Is a Moral Issue,’’ and members plan to march to the community center for a noon rally.
“We are hoping to show the world that people in Boston understand the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for an equitable and effective international climate treaty,’’ said Loie Hayes, coordinator of the Boston Climate Action Network.
Students from throughout the state are kicking off a “Sleep Out for Clean Energy’’ campaign tomorrow night on Boston Common, to protest their lack of choice about how their dorms are powered.
While students will sleep on their campuses six nights a week they will sleep near the State House every Sunday night until the Copenhagen conference so they can lobby the Legislature on Mondays for clean energy legislation.
“Instead of staying in our homes under the comfort of dirty energy, we’re putting ourselves on the line for the policy we believe in,’’ said Sally Sharrow of the Leadership Campaign, a statewide coalition of students and others that organized the Sleep Out.
For a complete list of events, go to www.350.org.
Beth Daley can be reached at bdaley@globe.com. 
